Sri Lanka’s standing in the global luxury travel rose to new heights with a sensational win by Ishq Colombo.
A luxury villa with a beautiful setting located in the centre of Colombo, renowned for its service and elegance of a state home that offers guests an immersive and sophisticated experience, Ishq Colombo was awarded the 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award on Wednesday 7th May. Traveler’s Choice Award winners are among a top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor.
Frequently described by guests as an “oasis in the city”, Ishq Colombo is a Villa that one can call home that is both warm and indulgently luxurious. From its curated interiors and fine Art pieces to the refined cuisine prepared to each guest’s preferences, every element is designed to exceed expectations.
Ishq Colombo is a luxury villa in the city however the environs are extremely quiet, so much so that you do not feel as if you’re in a city. This full serviced villa consists of a serene courtyard garden, four-palatial bedroom suits, private pool, dedicated in-house chef, wellness services, and a team committed to personalized service that one could want during a staycation. The villa has a pool, jacuzzi, 2-bed spa room, steam room and a library.
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform helps 463 million travelers each month to make every trip their best trip. Travellers across the globe use the Trip Advisor site and app to browse more than 859 million reviews and opinions of 8.6million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises. Tripadvisor’s user-generated content remains a benchmark for the global travel community. Thus one could assess Tripadvisor as the best reader of the pulse of the global traveller.
The Tripadvisor awards are determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings specific to each subcategory posted on Tripadvisor over a 12 month period from travellers worldwide. Only the top 10% of Tripadvisor business receive this award yearly.
According to Tripadvisor, the Travellers Choice Awards are awarded to only a select number of businesses globally each year as a mark of recognition of excellence that identifies accommodations that consistently deliver outstanding services, quality and experiences.
Isabel Jamaldeen
Sunday Observer Explorer visited the property and met the Head of Villas Isabel Jamaldeen, to congratulate her in person and find out more on this sensational win for the country in general and the property in particular.
“Firstly, to our dear guests from around the world: thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your precious memories, for sharing your kind words, and for seeing the love and care we strive to put into every detail. Your appreciation means the world to us, and it inspires us to keep reaching higher, with full hearts and open arms.”
“We are deeply honoured and genuinely grateful to receive this beautiful recognition. It’s a true reflection of the heart and soul we pour into everything we do — the long days, the thoughtful touches, and the shared passion for creating something truly special. Every moment we spend striving for excellence is driven by one purpose: to create unforgettable memories for every guest who walks through our doors. We are constantly growing, learning, and evolving, always with the hope that Ishq becomes more than a name — that it becomes a feeling. A feeling rooted in genuine care, authenticity, and our promise of “Serving from the Heart.”
“For over two years now, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Ishq family as Head of Villas. Today, I’m proud to oversee four beautiful luxury homes across this island — each one unique, yet all united by a single vision: to offer our guests an experience that touches the heart.
“At Ishq, it’s never just about a place to stay — it’s about the feeling you take with you. Our hope is that when guests return to their home countries, they carry a little piece of Ishq with them — the spirit of this island too. It’s an honour to be part of a team that lives this vision every single day, and I’m excited to continue this journey — growing, learning, and sharing the beauty of Ishq with the world.”
History of Ishq Colombo
It was interesting to get more information of this award winning property. We were informed by Head of Villas, Isabel Jamaldeen that Ishq Colombo was born out of a passion to share the epitome of luxury, the warmth of a family home and a destination that evokes a feeling of home.
“The name, ‘Ishq’ stems from the Arabic word for love and passion. This serves as our inspiration to continually bring you experiences that leave lasting impressions.”
This stunning 4-suite luxury villa could accommodate a maximum of 8 guests and was designed by Channa Daswatta, a protégé of the late architect Geoffrey Bawa. The villa pays homage to Sri Lanka’s rich history, with balanced auras of Dutch and Englishheritage lingering about at every nook and cranny.
From the luxurious brushed brass fittings to the elegantly landscaped garden, our attention to detail is evident in the design of the villa, which takes you back to the old-world charm of the island’s colonial heritage and offers you the most unique luxury experience in Colombo.
Overview of the Ishq Luxury Villas Collection
Ishq Luxury Villas, is a small collection of luxury villas in Colombo, Talpe, Galle and Nuwara Eliya, owned by Hanif Yusoof. The first villa in the collection was Ishq Talpe, which launched in 2017. Next was Ishq Colombo, which launched in April 2022. The other two in the Collection are -; Writers’ Lodge ByIshq, a charming private retreat in the heart of Galle, and Highgrove Estate by Ishq, a hill country escape nestled in the lush landscapes of Nuwara Eliya.
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform helps 463 million travelers each month to make every trip their best trip. Travellers across the globe use the Trip Advisor site and app to browse more than 859 million reviews and opinions of 8.6million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises. Tripadvisor’s user-generated content remains a benchmark for the global travel community.
The Tripadvisor awards are determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings specific to each subcategory posted on Tripadvisor over a12 month period.
More on ISHQ Colombo in Sunday Observer Explorer soon
Pic by Shan Rambukwella
