ULTIMATEHotels

Historic seafront hotel

Galle Face Hotel

Galle Face · Sri Lanka

The entrance of the Galle Face Hotel
The entrance of the Galle Face Hotel
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Krankman, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Galle Face Green and the Indian Ocean at sunset
Galle Face Green and the Indian Ocean at sunset
Photo creditImage courtesy of © AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Galle Face Hotel from the air, its white colonnaded wings on the sea front
The Galle Face Hotel from the air, its white colonnaded wings on the sea front
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
A guest room at the Galle Face Hotel, with a gilded bed, a daybed and tall curtained windows
A guest room at the Galle Face Hotel, with a gilded bed, a daybed and tall curtained windows
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
A lounge at the Galle Face Hotel, with armchairs and sofas before a carved relief wall
A lounge at the Galle Face Hotel, with armchairs and sofas before a carved relief wall
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
The lobby of the Galle Face Hotel, with timber pillars, a staircase and a chandelier
The lobby of the Galle Face Hotel, with timber pillars, a staircase and a chandelier
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
The Verandah terrace at the Galle Face Hotel, tables under parasols beside the sea
The Verandah terrace at the Galle Face Hotel, tables under parasols beside the sea
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
The pool at the Galle Face Hotel, with curtained cabanas facing the ocean
The pool at the Galle Face Hotel, with curtained cabanas facing the ocean
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
A bar at the Galle Face Hotel, lit shelves of bottles behind a long counter
A bar at the Galle Face Hotel, lit shelves of bottles behind a long counter
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
A restaurant at the Galle Face Hotel, rattan chairs under a woven ceiling and hanging lanterns
A restaurant at the Galle Face Hotel, rattan chairs under a woven ceiling and hanging lanterns
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
Afternoon tea at the Galle Face Hotel, laid on a table by the sea
Afternoon tea at the Galle Face Hotel, laid on a table by the sea
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel
A canopied daybed at the Galle Face Hotel, between the pool and the sea
A canopied daybed at the Galle Face Hotel, between the pool and the sea
Photo creditImage courtesy of © Galle Face Hotel

The grand old hotel at the end of Galle Face Green, founded in 1864, with lawns running down to the sea.

The grand old hotel at the end of Galle Face Green has welcomed guests since 1864. We look at how a Dutch-era villa became Colombo’s best-loved seafront hotel, and how to make the most of a stay or a sunset visit. Who it suits: travellers who want history, the sea and Galle Face Green on the doorstep. Things to know: the hotel is on busy Galle Road; ask for a sea-facing room.

  • Colombo’s grand old seafront hotel
  • The Chequerboard at sunset
  • A saltwater pool by the sea
  • Six places to eat and drink

From the ULTIMATE Sri Lanka guide

Read our full write-up, with what to book, nearby restaurants and how to get there.

Read on the Sri Lanka guide →

Also on the ULTIMATE Cruises (lines guide.

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