Galle Face Hotel

Introduction

Galle Face Hotel, originally built in the 19th century, is Colombo's leading heritage property with a prime position gazing upon the Indian Ocean at the foot of Galle Face Green. It dates back to 1864. Once the mansion of a British Governor, this masterpiece of Victorian architecture was refurbished and reopened in 2006 and now offers a contemporary colonial feel. There is no sense of glitzy modernity: its stately wooden panelling and staunchly Victorian rooms are immediately resonant of a bygone age and make it a tempting alternative to Colombo’s modern five star hotels for guests who prefer a sense of history to a more modern feel. Galle Face Hotel is a member of Select Hotels & Resorts International.

Accommodation

Galle Face Hotel has 156 rooms. As well as eight unique suites, there are five different room categories, each separated into Basic, Sea View, and Sea View with Balcony: Superior Room, Landmark Room, Premier Room, Studio Suite and Junior Suite.

All rooms have the following facilities: 42" flat screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, stocked mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, A/C and overhead fan, a safe and a desk. Each room has a bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer.

Superior Rooms: Situated in the south part of the hotel, these rooms are available with twin, queen or king-sized beds and all have a bathtub.

Landmark Room:  Found in the north section of the hotel. All rooms are sumptuously furnished and have either twin or king-sized beds. Some rooms have sea views.

Premier Room:  Also located in the north part of the hotel, these rooms either have twin or king-sized beds. All rooms have sea views.

Studio Suite and Junior Suite: Furnished with either twin beds or a king-sized bed, these suites are positioned in the north and south of the hotel.

Suites:

Ceylon Suite and Commonwealth Suite: 80sqm with a sea view.

Royal Scandinavian Suite, Royal Dutch Suite and Royal Thai Suite: All have two rooms and a balcony with a sea view.

Presidential Suite: As above, but with three rooms.

Eugenie Suite: Three rooms including a terrace with a sea view.

King Emperor Suite: The most luxurious suite, this has a balcony with a sea view, three rooms and a pantry and kitchenette.

All suites have direct views of the Indian Ocean and guests also have access to The Long Room.

Facilities

Galle Face Hotel caters to the leisure as well as the business traveller. A wide selection of restaurants and bars is headed by the newly-renovated Verandah Restaurant (Western and Oriental cuisine),the Sea Spray fish restaurant and the 1864, a sedate fine-dining restaurant. Watch the sunset with a pre-dinner drink in the Verandah Restaurant, or head to In on the Green for a lively pub atmosphere. There is also: a wine lounge with an underground wine cellar; a snooker room; a spa, inclusive of a salt water swimming pool and gym; a small museum and art gallery; extensive banqueting and conference facilities; a business centre; childcare and butler services; room and laundry service, and a small Piazza shopping arcade.

Why we like it

Colombo's most famous heritage hotel has a fine outlook by the water's edge at one end of Galle Face Green.

Location

Galle Face Hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring Sri Lanka’s capital of Colombo. The international airport is approximately 45 minutes away.