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Galle Face Hotel Colombo

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Standing as an iconic symbol of Sri Lanka’s past and present for over 150 years, Galle Face Hotel expertly blends together colonial design with flawless service and contemporary luxury.

Included in your holiday

  • Lounge passes and meet & greet service in UK airports
  • Transfers to and from your hotel
  • All flight luggage allowances
  • Personal concierge service
  • 24/7 assistance when travelling
  • Full ATOL protection

Full accommodation information

One of the oldest hotels east of the Suez canal, and named for the famous Galle Face Green that it overlooks, the historic Galle Face Hotel was built in 1864 by four British entrepreneurs and has been an iconic landmark on the shoreline of Colombo for more than 150 years.

Listed as one of the "1000 Places to See Before You Die" in the book of the same name, you do not want to miss the chance to experience the splendour of one of the world’s finest heritage hotels.

Although it was fully refurbished in 2015 to modernize its amenities and restore the building to its full resplendence, the hotel remains largely unchanged in its regal aesthetic and timeless service - maintaining its heritage and grandeur. Today Galle Face Hotel stands in the heart of Colombo as a dazzling symbol of Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its thriving independent present.

Sat on Colombo’s biggest seaside promenade and featuring an Indian Ocean facing swimming pool and restaurant, it is harder to imagine a better location. All of Colombo’s finest cultural, historical and contemporary landmarks are on your doorstep, and inside the wonderfully nostalgic hotel; fine dining, immaculate service, a soothing spa and fantastic fitness facilities await, and there is even an in-house museum dedicated to depicting Galle Face Hotel’s incredibly rich history.

The authentic design of the corridors and rooms transports you back through the years and allows you to tread the same floorboards as royalty, film stars and the countless other celebrities that have stayed within the storied suites in more than a century.

You can add yourself to the list of illustrious guests including Mahatma Gandhi, Roger Moore, Harrison Ford, Princess Alexandra of Denmark and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh by staying at Galle Face Hotel – fine company indeed.

Each of the 156 guestrooms come equipped with Indian Ocean, Galle Face Green or Colombo city views and have been restored to reflect the Galle Face Hotel’s rich heritage with colonial design and regal wooden floors. Amenities include Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, satellite TV, complimentary mini bar, 24-hour in-room dining and a daily newspaper.

Superior Room

Superior Room

Sleeps: 2 Adults

Coming with 27 sq m of polished wooden floor space and providing a sumptuous, cosy queen-sized or twin beds and modern amenities.
Landmark Room

Landmark Room

Sleeps: 2 Adults

With simple, elegant décor and 30 sq m of space to enjoy, you can choose between a luxurious queen-sized bed or twin beds.
Premier Ocean Room

Premier Ocean Room

Sleeps: 2 Adults , 1 Child

Available with or without a private balcony and boasting incredible sea views, 40 sq m of space, and twin or king-sized beds - guests staying in a Premier Ocean Room are granted access to the Long Room, a private lounge with dedicated personal service.
Junior Suite Queen

Junior Suite Queen

Sleeps: 2 Adults , 1 Child

Providing a queen-sized bed, this fantastic 50 sq m suite provides great views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests staying in a Junior Suite are granted access to the Long Room, a private lounge with dedicated personal service.
Ocean Junior Suite

Ocean Junior Suite

Sleeps: 2 Adults , 1 Child

Providing a luxurious 60 sq m of elegantly designed living space and featuring ceiling-to-floor windows that provide stunning ocean views. Also available with a balcony for extra space to enjoy the view, a Junior Suite gives access to the Long Room, a private lounge.
Ceylon Suite

Ceylon Suite

Sleeps: 2 Adults

The historic and spacious 80 sq m suite evokes memories of a bygone age and provides scintillating views. With a double bed, access to the Long room and butler service available upon request, this is the most luxurious way to stay at Galle Face Hotel.
King of the Mambo

King of the Mambo

Giving a laid back Havana-style vibe and featuring nightly entertainment, delightful cocktails, music that will get you moving and indulgent dining options. Here you can drink, dine, dance to the beat of the Mambo.

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
The 1864 Restaurant and Wine Cellar

The 1864 Restaurant and Wine Cellar

A sophisticated dining venue befitting of the grandeur of its surroundings, The 1864 offers fresh contemporary cuisine in a luxurious setting. Compliment your meal with an extensive sommelier-selected wine collection with vintages from all over the world.

  • Dinner
The Verandah

The Verandah

Famous for its crab curry, The Verandah is open all day and serves mouth-watering international and local dishes including authentic Ceylonese cuisine, with an Indian Ocean view and a colonial al fresco setting.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
The Traveller’s Bar

The Traveller’s Bar

An ideal spot for cocktails and light bites with a stunning ocean view. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, including a stylish covered veranda, here you will find a relaxed environment and magnificence lunch and dinner options.

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
The Pool Bar

The Pool Bar

Renowned for its crab burgers and offering all day casual dining, this chic outdoor venue sits overlooking the pool and provides incredible ocean views. Why not enjoy a game of croquet on the South Lawn that adjoins the bar after you’ve eaten?

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
In… On the Green

In… On the Green

Cultivating a classic pub atmosphere and serving a vast range of beers, wines and spirits – here you will find live music, sports viewing and quiz nights. Enjoy hearty pub meals in a casual gastropub setting.

  • Dinner

Galle Face Hotel has refined and relaxing entertainment on offer that is befitting of its regal setting. Not only can you find yourself playing croquet on the manicured south lawn, lounging beside the only saltwater pool in Colombo, enjoying fantastic spa and fitness facilities, being taken care of by dedicated staff in the Long Room (executive lounge for suite guests), but this historic hotel even has its own in-house museum with historical artefacts including a car owned by Prince Phillip when he was stationed in Ceylon during Second World War, and a historian is on hand to provide guided tours.

If you’re looking to explore the local area, the hotel has one of the best locations in all of Colombo. You can easily reach a number of cultural, historical and contemporary landmarks including Colombo National Museum, Colombo Lighthouse, Independence Square, Mharamahadevi Park and Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple.

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  • Time zone: +5.5 GMT
  • Flight time: 10-13 hours
  • Recommended airlines: Emirates, Qatar Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Etihad Airlines
  • Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
  • Tipping guideline: Discretionary
  • Health considerations: There is a risk of dengue. There is no risk of yellow fever in Sri Lanka, however, yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
  • Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (administrative), Colombo (commercial)
  • Population: 21,930,455
  • National languages: Sinhalese, Tamil, English
  • Electricity and plugs: Type D, M, G, 230V
  • Mobile phone coverage: Good
  • UK passport visa requirements: You need an ETA for Sri Lanka if you have a British passport - apply online

Want to know more?

Call our Travel Specialists for a chat with our Sri-lanka experts. They'll share their first-hand insights so you can find your perfect holiday.

Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm

Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Sunday: 10am - 4pm

Nikhil

Nikhil

Travel Specialist

01244 435 196
Not sure where to stay in Colombo? I'm here to help. Give me a call and I'll share my first-hand insights to find your perfect spot.
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Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm

Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Sunday: 10am - 4pm

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