Galle Face Hotel, is Colombo’s iconic landmark, situated on a seafront, facing the famous Galle Face Green. Established in 1864, it was recently refurbished and modern luxuries added with its original old Victorian features. The old wing retains its wonderful colonial architecture with rooms, large enough to take a stroll, many with windows overlooking Galle face green and the Indian Ocean. Furnished with furniture from the 1800s, you really feel like it is a blast from the past.
The refurbished Regency Wing in comparison is so perfectly gorgeous and modern that it annihilates the past. It also houses two restaurants, one on the seafront, renowned for its seafood, and the other serves modern European cuisine. The Galle Face Hotel spa is set among lush tropical garden overlooking the Indian Ocean. There is also a large swimming pool, beauty salon and fitness studio.
There is plenty to do in the surrounds. The historic city of Colombo is known for shopping, cultural sites and museums. But Colombo to the tourists, means, not so much the sweltering town, as the Galle Face Hotel, in whose corridors and open arcades you may sit and chaffer at your will for worthlessness, or if the energy fails you to go touring, slump into the saltwater pool, watch over the spacious lawns into the huge sea frontage for the magic sunsets to die for – and relax!
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBanquet FacilitiesBar/PubBusiness CentreChildcare ServicesConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableDisabled FacilitiesFitness CentreGardenLibraryMeeting/Conference FacilitiesMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolPoolside BarRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSalonShuttle ServiceSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableStay The Galle Face hotel has 158 rooms and suites with high ceilings and spacious. All rooms have a colonial feel with wonderful wood finishes and floor-to-ceiling or large windows. Superior and Landmark rooms are standard size, filled with modern necessities and complimentary soft drink selection. Premier is more spacious and overlooks the sea. Some have balconies. Junior and Heritage Suites range in sizes but have good views of the sea and equipped with Jacuzzis.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at the Galle Face hotel but there are no specific facilities available. However, babysitting services can be arranged, if requested.
Dine Galle Face hotel has four restaurants and three bars. The Veranda is the buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner while the fine dining 1864 Restaurant with a Wine Cellar serves modern European cuisine. For al fresco dining visit Sea Spray or the Travellers’ Bar with a partially covered veranda, where many travellers, explorers and writers have taken respite to find inspiration for their works. But it is the Chequerboard, that retains the historic landmark in Colombo for being the perfect spot for sundowners while watching amazing sun sets.
Relax The Galle Face Hotel swimming pool, the only salt water pool in Colombo, is private to hotel Guests and is the ideal place to relax. The wonderful family game of croquet was first recorded a mere eight years before the opening of the Galle Face Hotel in 1864 and has continued as a tradition of the hotel ever since. It also runs excursions around the city to explore the its historic sites, museums and art galleries at an additional charge.
Experience Take a tour of the Galle Face Hotel on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a historian and visit the hotel’s art gallery and museum. It displays artefacts that date back to the late nineteenth century, including the Duke of Edinburgh's first car. Explore the surrounds and visit places such as Kandy, Sigiriya or Galle, Sri Lanka’s historic towns.
Location The Galle Face Hotel, Sri Lanka’s iconic landmark is situated on Galle Road right on the seafront.
Getting There There are direct (10-hour 45-minute) flights to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. . It takes 30-minutes to drive from the airport to Galle Face Hotel.
When to go The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December and April when it’s drier and the climate is cooler. It’s also the peak time for whale-watching in the south where blue and sperm whales can be seen. From May to August the Yala monsoon brings rain to the island’s southwestern coast and the cultural triangle. However, the hill country around Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains and Bandarawela remains cooler. Rains may also occur between September and November.
Destination
West & South, Sri Lanka
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