The 30-month restoration was the first of this scale in the hotel’s 150 year legacy.
The restoration project covered the North Wing’s 72 rooms and suites, restaurants and bars, lobby, ballrooms and executive lounge.
The restoration was the most significant ever for the iconic property, which was opened in 1864 by four British entrepreneurs.
Its North Wing’s rooms were completely re-imagined for the 21st century; an ocean view executive lounge, The Long Room spanning 25 metres was added for well-heeled suite guests; and a new conservatory with towering arched doors now links the Grand Ballroom with the Jubilee Ballroom.
“We are delighted to be celebrating two years since our restoration. It was a huge and challenging project – we had to complete it to perfection while preserving the hotel as a heritage property and yet upgrading it to modern standards,” remarked Mr. Deni Ohlsen-Dukic, General Manager, The Galle Face Hotel.
The restoration stripped every room to the bone, and brought back each with striking new interiors and classic mahogany furnishings.
Stylish grey marble cases the bathroom walls. Private balconies with sea views now jut from 21 rooms.
The room sizes range from 26 square metres (280 square feet) to 60 square metres (645 square feet) studios that feature a separate living room and workspace.
Many sources point to the Galle Face as the oldest hotel east of the Suez still in operation today.
Its handwritten guest book includes a long list of heads of state and royalty, as well as popular figures like Vivien Leigh of ‘Gone with the Wind’ fame and Sir Arthur C. Clarke, who spent a year living in the hotel while writing the final chapters of ‘3001: The Final Odyssey’.
The hotel since its beginnings in 1864 has been a heritage property for many years.
With the completion of this historic restoration, the Galle Face Hotel has endeavoured to embrace and celebrate its rich history while catering to tomorrow’s traveler and continues to stand as one of the most storied hotels in all Asia.
About the Galle Face Hotel
South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present.
Celebrated within the hospitality world, it blends historical splendour with crafted modernity to form a new model for heritage properties.
International guests are immersed in the Galle Face Hotel’s rich traditions and compelling stories, while Colombo society perceive the hotel as the most prestigious, desirable destination in the city for memorable dining and special events.
Whether at the hotel for dinner or for a month-long stay, an experience of the Galle Face Hotel is one of timeless grandeur and exceptional hospitality.
Celebrating 150 years, the Galle Face Hotel is one of the landmarks in Asia and was acclaimed as one of the best heritage Hotels in Sri Lanka in 2012.
Further it is the first Hotel in the country to be featured on a postage stamp.
About the Galle Face Hotel Group
The Galle Face Hotel Group manages the hotel and leisure interest of Galle Face Hotel, Kandy Hotels PLC & Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC. Under this banner are 3 distinct portfolios of businesses.
The Deluxe Heritage Hotels Collection
Galle Face Hotel in Colombo and Hotel Suisse & Queens Hotel in Kandy. Each hotel is a connected to Sri Lanka’s history, imbibed with the splendor of yesteryear while continuing to serve visitors, foreign and domestic is gracious surrounds.
The Resorts Collection
4 hotels routed in some of Sri Lanka’s most special areas offer a modern facility with outstanding vista & access to experience this great country. The Lake Hotel Polonnaruwa, The Surf Hotel Bentota, The Safari Hotel Thissamaharama and The Lake House Polonnaruwa. Each of these recently refurbished hotels offers traditional Sri Lankan hospitality to visitors.
