Inside the ‘City of Dreams’ Sri Lanka
A high-stakes casino, an international luxury mall, two world-class hotels, and a vision to reimagine Colombo’s global identity - this is City of Dreams, the bold new chapter marking Sri Lanka on the global stage.
Set to officially launch on 2nd August 2025, this landmark development is not just the largest private investment in Sri Lanka’s history - it’s being billed as South Asia’s first fully integrated resort of its kind. And in just a few months, inVOYAGE guests will have the opportunity to explore it first-hand.
A First for South Asia
The headline is big: South Asia’s first fully integrated resort. Combining five-star hospitality, a world-class casino, fine dining, wellness, residences, retail, and entertainment - all in one self-contained destination, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams has certainly pushed the boundaries with its far-reaching vision:
Built to operate as an independent destination, the complex will feature:
A 30-storey, 687-room lifestyle resort, set to become one of Colombo’s flagship properties for both business and leisure (known as Cinnamon Life)
A 113-room ultra-lux hotel – Nüwa Sri Lanka – offering unparalleled exclusivity within the integrated resort
A world-class casino developed in partnership with Melco Resorts & Entertainment
A luxury shopping mall with over 100 premium stores, including global fashion and design brands
State-of-the-art meeting and event spaces, spanning banqueting halls, outdoor terraces, and flexible breakout zones (a total of 160,000 sq.ft)
Rooftop lounges, bars, cafes, and performance venues that will bring new energy to Colombo’s nightlife scene
Luxury residences - some already sold out - that anchor Cinnamon Life as a lifestyle community, not just a hotel
Spanning over 4.5 million square feet and with views across the Indian Ocean and Colombo’s skyline, the development is designed to meet the needs of international business travellers, high-net-worth tourists, incentive groups, and regional leisure markets alike.
Designed for the New Generation of Events
For the luxury MICE industry, City of Dreams Sri Lanka launch is a clear signal that Colombo (and Sri Lanka as a whole) is ready to compete on a regional, and even global, scale. With vast banqueting capacity, an urban resort setting, and seamless access to retail, entertainment, and nightlife all within the same footprint, City of Dreams offers something truly unique: its very own self-contained event ecosystem.
It’s rare to find a venue that can seamlessly host multi-day conferences, private board-level summits, incentive buyouts, and high-energy gala events - all without your guests ever needing to leave the property. With 800 rooms across the resort and a dedicated team for Event Management professionals, Cinnamon Life and Nuwa will offer an incredible opportunity for agencies and corporate teams to be ahead of the rest of the industry.
Sustainability, Design, and Cultural Ambition
And yet, this is not just a flashy one-off project. From its earliest planning phases, the development has incorporated smart urban design principles, including energy efficiency, grey water recycling, solar integration, and a strong commitment to reducing single-use plastic.
This aligns closely with the expectations of modern luxury travellers and organisations who place sustainability high on their priority list when choosing event destinations.
And with the support of Cinnamon Hotels - one of South Asia’s leading homegrown hospitality brands - there’s a focus on local employment, ethical partnerships, and Sri Lankan culture running through the heart of the project.
“This is a moment not just for Colombo, but for the entire region,” said a spokesperson for Cinnamon Hotels. “The scale, ambition and quality of Cinnamon Life at the City of Dreams will bring in a new era for events, entertainment, and tourism in South Asia.”
Images courtesy of Cinnamon Life
Why It Matters for the Global Luxury Market
For the luxury MICE and incentive sector, the arrival of City of Dreams has ripple effects beyond Sri Lanka. It’s a clear signal that South Asia is no longer playing catch-up - it’s setting the pace.
It also comes at a time when planners are looking for new stories, new cultures, and new reasons to inspire travel. Cinnamon Life and Nüwa at the City of Dreams delivers on all fronts: an emerging destination, an ultra-luxury offering that competes globally, and a chance to be among the first to host events at what’s expected to be the region’s new flagship property.
Whether you’re planning a large-scale incentive or scouting new locations for high-end leadership summits, this is the kind of venue that ticks all the boxes - location, quality, experience, and narrative.
Be Among the First to Experience It
In just a few short months, you’ll have a chance to experience Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams up close this November, when inVOYAGE heads to Colombo for its Sri Lanka edition.
With the city’s skyline evolving and Cinnamon Life at its heart, this is your opportunity to explore South Asia’s most exciting new destination - before the rest of the world catches up.