First opening its doors in 1864, the Galle face Hotel is the oldest hotel east of the Suez. Once recognised as one of the seven wonders of the Orient, the property was in need of modernisation and restoration. Sensitivity to history and heritage lay at the heart of this project, as architects set out to carefully and accurately refurbish this classic colonial-era gem.
Modelling the Galle Face Hotel’s redevelopment on a classic Urban Resort, the design team revived the site and delivered a final product of undeniable quality. Replicating the property’s colonial design language in a modern way, this one of a kind project combines old world charm with first-class modern luxuries.
From modernised guest rooms that blend the extravagance of old world lavishness with the finest touches in modern luxury travel. To the sensitively restored Grand Ballroom and Jubilee Ballroom – now Colombo’s premier wedding destination – where classic detailing was carefully integrated with modern technology. All aspects of the restoration were done to catalyse commercial viability, positioning the Galle Face Hotel as Sri Lanka’s foremost hospitality destination.
The completed project included architectural redevelopment and interior design restoration. The different public areas are subtly interconnected, all centered around the open-air verandah with the majestic Indian Ocean view serving as a backdrop. New F&B options were introduced, increasing the total number of outlets to five. And the total number of guest rooms were increased from 42 to 74, including a total of 9 suites.
The finished Galle Face Hotel successfully recaptured the splendour of the hotel’s original design, while also suitably modernizing and updating the property for contemporary use. Every aspect of the revamped hotel recreates the extravagance of Colonial-era opulence, while also meeting the highest standards of modern luxury travel.
