Founded in 1864, the Galle Face Hotel is a proud part of a country with its own illustrious history. Built during colonial rule when Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon, the hotel has been part and parcel of the nation’s story and is today a landmark of a bygone era. Many tales have been told of the hotel and its famous guests over the years.

Some of the key milestones in the history of GFH include the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887 with the presence of over 20,000 people at the height of Britain’s imperial supremacy. Along it’s illustrious 150 year history, royals and statesmen from across the world have graced the Galle Face Hotel, including the Empress of France Princess Eugenie, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, the Duke of Hamilton, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Richard Nixon. They have all been unanimous in their appreciation of the unique architecture, the warm hospitality and the picturesque location of the hotel. The Duke of Edinburgh, Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Emperor Hirohito of Japan and several other heads of state have also stayed at the GFH, all of which is recorded on beautiful marble and wooden plaques around the hotel.

Prince Philip of Greece who was a 19-year-old midshipman serving in Ceylon at the time first set his eyes on the 1935 model Standard Nine car while on a visit to Ceylon. It is said that it cost 12 Sterling Pounds but after much bargaining he bought it at Rs.450 which was equal to his seven weeks' Navy pay in 1940. The Prince’s first car now enjoys pride of place on a special porch of the 'Regency' wing. Other such artifacts make up the museum of the Galle Face Hotel which is a testimony to the colonial history of Sri Lanka.

Kings and Queens of the celluloid era and those who put thoughts to words have also called the GFH a home away from home, while they worked on their masterpiece. Alec Guinness, Ursula Andress, Laurence Olivier and George Bernard Shaw have all added their star power to the GFH storyline. More recently Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner better known as Sting and BAFTA award winning Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson have found solace away from their demanding lifestyles within the tranquility that is commonplace at Galle Face Hotel.

Many world renowned authors have found the Galle Face Hotel to be an inspiring and tranquil sanctuary from where to pen their thoughts. Authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov and Arthur C. Clarke have spent long hours enjoying the glorious sunset over the Indian Ocean, while sipping a cup of tea on the terraces of the Galle Face Hotel. The hotel has also attracted more than its share of famous people including the likes of world renowned sportsmen like Sir Donald Bradman and the first man in space Yuri Gagarin.

Today, the legendary Galle Face Hotel provides a stunning venue for social and business occasions with its elegant ballroom and extensive banquet options. Through a perfect blend of the past and present, the legacy of the historic Galle Face Hotel continues, providing guests with a distinctive experience at a truly iconic Sri Lankan hotel.

About the Galle Face Hotel: The Galle Face Hotel is an award winning heritage hotel located at the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is steeped in the unique history of Sri Lanka amidst tradition and family values. It is probably the only Hotel in the world which has a setting of a sea front city Hotel combined with the features of a beachside resort together grandeur and elegance of the bygone era of Sri Lanka. Celebrating 150 years, the Galle Face Hotel is one of the landmarks in Asia with a historical past that speaks of the historical significance of Sri Lanka. 

Today, the Galle Face Hotel is acclaimed as one of the best heritage Hotels in Sri Lanka and in 2012 it became the first Hotel in the country to be featured on a postage stamp. 

The old world charm of the Hotel harks back to a vintage when Aristocracy and celebrities spent their days in pampered luxury, and sipped their tea while enjoying the magnificent sunset over the Indian Ocean. Over the years, many Heads of State and celebrities have graced the Hotel, charmed by its eclectic mix of imperial tradition, architecture and flavor. 

“The hotel is currently undertaking an ambitious restoration project restoring the Hotel’s rooms, restaurants and the ballrooms to their former glory with subtle modernization to enhance the quality of The Galle Face Hotel experience. The Hotel is intrinsically linked to the history and heritage of Sri Lanka, and the project is guided by an uncompromising commitment to preserve the unique ambience for guests to enjoy,” 

About the Galle Face Hotel Group: The Galle Face Hotel Group manages the hotel and leisure interest of The Galle Face Hotel, Kandy Hotels PLC & Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC.

Under this banner are 3 distinct portfolios of businesses.

The Deluxe Heritage Hotels Collection

The Galle Face Hotel in Colombo

Hotel Suisse & Queens Hotel in Kandy: Each hotel is a connected to Sri Lankas 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 Lankas 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 Lankian hospitality to visitors.

The Heritage Rest House Collection: The quaint surroundings steeped with the enchantment of Sri Lanka’s colonial heritage are the key elements of the Heritage Rest Houses that comprise of 12 properties around the island. Ambepussa, Pussellawa, Kitulgala, Belihuloya, Ella, Hanwella, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Habarana, Mihintale, Medawachchiya, and Weligama. Intimate traditional accommodation, in colonial bungalows, all with outstanding local cuisine is ideal bases from which to travel and explore Sri Lanka.