‘City of Dreams’ comes alive on 2nd August 2025

A Landmark in South Asian Tourism and luxury

‘City of Dreams’, the latest lifestyle project by Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) and Melco Resorts & Entertainment (MRE), is set to open officially on 2nd August, 2025. This launch marks the completion of the final components of the project, including a world-class casino, the luxurious Nüwa Hotel and a premium shopping mall.

Cinnamon Life, the first phase of the ‘City of Dreams’, operated by John Keells opened in Colombo in  October last year. This five million square foot integrated resort, designed by world-renowned architect Cecil Balmond, is set to position Colombo as a key hub on the global stage. London based Balmond Studio was responsible for architecture, engineering, project management and interior design of public spaces, including bespoke lighting installations.

The milestone partnership, marks the debut of South Asia’s first fully- integrated resort and Sri Lanka’s largest private sector investment in luxury lifestyle to date – an over USD 1.2 billion development that redefines Colombo’s place on the global tourism map. 

Strategically located in the heart of Colombo, ‘City of Dreams’ is more than a destination- it’s a bold new heartbeat for Colombo. Rising along the city’s waterfront, this iconic integrated resort is where imagination, experience and innovation converge. This integrated resort brings together world-class hospitality, upscale retail, immersive entertainment and cutting-edge MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) infrastructure in one dynamic destination.

The 687-room Cinnamon Life hotel already puts Colombo on the map as a luxury destination, but the 113-room Nüwa Hotel takes it up a notch, offering ultra-luxury options for high-net-worth individuals. This diversification in accommodation types (luxury vs ultra-luxury) ensures that the resort can cater to both business travellers and leisure tourists from different economic segments. The sheer number of rooms also shows how serious the developers are about catering to international demand and scaling the resort to a global level.

‘The expansive MICE facilities are a major attraction, not just for business travellers but for global corporations looking to host high-profile events in South Asia. Colombo could become a strategic location for conferences, exhibitions, and corporate networking. With state-of-the-art venues and facilities that match international standards, Sri Lanka could establish itself as a new business tourism hub, tapping into the growing demand for Asian destinations to host global events’ said said Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of the John Keells Group.

The inclusion of internationally operated casino facilities raises the stakes for Colombo, positioning it as a major destination for luxury gaming and high-end entertainment. With Melco’s reputation in the casino industry, it’s likely to attract global tourists who typically visit places like Macau, Singapore, or Dubai for luxury gaming. It’s also likely to drive tourism during non-peak seasons, as gaming often appeals to a consistent, year-round audience.

The curated dining experiences from internationally acclaimed chefs will provide a level of culinary sophistication that will attract food enthusiasts from around the world. This, combined with immersive entertainment spaces for cultural performances and international acts, is an excellent strategy for making the resort a year-round attraction, not just for traditional tourists, but also for those looking for unique and diverse cultural experiences.

‘The opening of the casino and Nüwa Hotel operated by Melco marks the realisation of a key pillar of City of Dreams Sri Lanka—bringing to life an integrated development envisioned more than a decade ago. This milestone sets a new benchmark for lifestyle, entertainment, and retail offerings in South Asia’ said Krishan Balendra.

Lawrence Ho, Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, commented:’We are thrilled to be part of this landmark development and to collaborate with John Keells. 

Sri Lanka holds immense promise, and this venture fits seamlessly with our global portfolio’.