Trillium trumpets the finer things with new venture

By Madushka Balasuriya 

Known over the years for its condominium complexes, Trillium the brand is branching out. Under the stewardship of Chairman Janaka ,Ratnayake last month it launched Trillium Deli, the first in a what is set to be a chain of supermarkets offering exclusivity over quantity. Then earlier this week the company took another step forward in its portfolio diversification with the soft launch of Trillium Hotels.

Located down Torrington Avenue in Colombo 7, the luxury boutique city hotel is Trillium’s first venture into the leisure industry, and it is also an outlier of sorts among Colombo’s plethora of five-star properties.

For one, with just the 35 rooms, Trillium Hotels is unable to brandish a five-star moniker – that honour is reserved for properties with a minimum of 50 rooms – however they’re five-star in all but name.

Rooms are demarcated into seven categories, with many of them also interconnected, offering an option to link up to four units together in the case of a family stay or a large party. Starting at a base price of $ 120 and going up to $ 360 for a suite (on a Bed & Breakfast basis per night, with an additional $ 15-20 for lunch and dinner), Trillium Hotels is definitely in the upper echelons in terms of Colombo hotel prices. 

However with spacious rooms, quality finishes, and all the expected amenities – including butler services and a 24-hour concierge – they’re certainly looking to offer bang for your buck.

“We’re trying to find our own, niche market. People who look for a quality stay, and luxuries,” explained Ratnayake at a media event on Wednesday. “We’re looking to exclusively offer many novel things. City hotels in Colombo will not offer guests a welcome drink, we do. We have a butler service, complimentary fruit basket and wines.”

Quality ingredients, quality food

The roughly $ 4 million investment also sees Trillium Hotels house what is set to be one of Colombo’s preeminent casual fine dining establishments in the Mezza9, as well its spacious two-floor Church Lounge and Bar. The latter can accommodate up to 150 guests and has a rooftop lap pool for guests to enjoy, though it is the former that is set to really set tongues – and palates – ablaze.

Earlier this week we were offered a sneak preview of some of the dishes we could come to expect at the Mezza9, such as the Peri-Peri Chicken, Duck & Beetroot Two Ways, Sturgeon Caviar, Wagyu Beef, and the Seafood Paella. 

With over 50 dishes on the menu, there’s something for everyone; and while the dishes aren’t cheap, they also don’t break the bank – with supply chains already established through Trillium Deli, the hotel is able to source many of its high-end ingredients at the best possible prices – as such the Wagyu Rib Eye Steak, for example, comes in at Rs. 7,750, a veritable steal for the quality of meat on offer.

In terms of flavour, it’s suffice to say each dish hit its mark with surgical precision. The aforementioned Wagyu was beautifully seasoned and cooked to an ideal medium rare. A mushroom risotto, meanwhile, was elevated immeasurably through the use of truffle mascarpone, while the Peri-Peri chicken was brimming with flavour, and had more than its fair share of spice.

Yet another highlight was the herb crumbed pork chop, served on a bed of exquisite Japanese potato salad, it was certainly one of the standout dishes of the night – and more than reasonably priced at Rs. 1,350.

A sure-fire Colombo favourite

With so much attention to detail going into its cuisine, and a fully-stocked, well-curated bar to match, it’s not a stretch to say that Trillium Hotels has done its homework on what works – not just in Colombo, but anywhere in the world.

And if the quality of fare we were treated to is anything to go buy, this is set to be a sure-fire Colombo favourite sooner rather than later.

Pix by Upul Abayasekara