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.
Your holiday always includes
- Premium lounge passes at UK airports
- VIP meet & greet service at departure
- Private transfers to and from your hotel
- Personal concierge service throughout
- 24/7 assistance when travelling
- The first-hand knowledge of our team
Full accommodation information
Hotel 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.
Room Options
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.Restaurants & Bars
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
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
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
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
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
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
Activities & Entertainment
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.
Sri Lanka travel information
When to visit Sri Lanka
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time
Good time
Ok time
- 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
Travel Specialist
Sri Lanka travel guides
Want some more help planning your holiday to Sri Lanka? Read our expert guides to find out everything you need to know about where to stay, dine and explore on your Inspiring Travel escape.
Would you like to speak to a Colombo expert?
Contact our Travel Specialists for a bespoke quote or some first-hand knowledge.
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Why Inspiring Travel?
Premium & Exclusive
- Only the best private travel experiences
- Hand-picked collection of world-class luxury resorts
- Diverse portfolio of bespoke & tailored itineraries
Personal & tailored
- Every holiday created to be entirely bespoke
- Exclusive experiences arranged on your behalf
- Personal contact to tailor every aspect of your holiday
Exceptional service
- 24/7 support while you're travelling
- Every detail handled by our concierge team
- Lounge passes, airport meet & greet and private transfers included
First-hand expertise
- The experts in tailor-made travel for 50 years
- Team of well-travelled specialists offering first-hand knowledge
- Network of trusted luxury travel partners
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
