GBP
Galle Face Hotel
PRICE: Punchy but doesn’t blow the budget
Four young investors set out on a mission to create ‘the finest hotel east of Suez’ and boy did they succeed. The Galle Face hotel, built in 1864, is the grand dame of luxury hotels in Colombo in Sri Lanka and her reputation stretches well beyond the shores she sits on.
Indeed, she is one of the most iconic colonial hotels in Asia and represents everything that was perfect about an era of grace, elegance and courtesy. Many legends have been told about The Galle Face and we’ve heard from reliable sources that each one that recounts her timeless grandeur and long tradition of first class hospitality are true.
The doors have recently been reopened after a five-year refurbishment. The marble-lined lobbies (there are two) are now splendid and the outdoor dining amongst the colonial columns at The Verandah is a fantastic experience. In fact, all of the dining experiences are superb, including by the seafront pool and in Restaurant 1864, one of Colombo’s few fine dining restaurants.
The rooms and suites in the refurbished wing are excellent. They have been thoughtfully reworked to create a sensational blend of classical style with modern amenities. The soft furnishings are rich with sumptuous upholstery and embellished with elegant scatter cushions.
As you would expect from a hotel of this stature, there is no shortage of history. Put aside half an hour to visit the hotel’s museum and a little longer to sit in the Traveller’s Bar, single malt in hand, and marvel at the photographs of generations of notables who have gone before you.
Or linger in the tranquil library, perhaps reading works by Arthur C. Clarke, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Noel Coward or Mark Twain, all of whom stayed at the Galle Face Hotel.
Galle Face Hotel: The Gallery
Yonder Insight
Take a walking tour around the hotel with the resident historian. You’ll get a fascinating insight into the rich past of this magnificent hotel.
On your doorstep
Order an Uber to take you to the Old Dutch Hospital. It’s a great place for dinner and at weekends there will almost certainly be live music in the bar at the back.
