The iconic doorman at the Galle Face hotel who made history for being one of the oldest hotel employees in the world, passed away peacefully in the early hours of 18^th November 2014, announced Galle Face Hotel. In honour of a personality that cannot be forgotten the hotel observed a minute’s silence.

Kottarappu Chathu Kuttan ran away from his home in Kerala, India when his parents died, and has been domiciled in Sri Lanka ever since. He hadn’t gone back to India for a while until the Chairman of the Galle Face Hotel Group offered him a trip to Kerala. Kuttan has lived to see the many changes in the hotel and in the country. He joined Galle Face Hotel during the latter part of the British rule in Sri Lanka. Kuttan’s career which began as a restaurant waiter was followed by becoming the hotels prestigious usher, Kuttan was an integral part of the hotels operations.

His ability to recognize almost all faces of frequent visitors, was a hit amongst many guests commented the Management of Galle Face Hotel.

Reminiscing of the good memories with Kuttan, the team of Galle Face Hotel further mentioned, “His welcoming broad smile and hands raised to say "Ayubowan"(may you live longer), was always a symbolic sight at Galle Face Hotel. He will surely be missed by all of us. Kuttan was more of a family member and a graceful figure that many of us were greeted to on a daily basis.”

“Kuttan celebrated his ninety fourth birthday on February 15 2014, and was eager to share the celebrations of 150 years of Galle Face Hotel. Since he served the hotel for over seventy years, he was an essential part of the Galle Face Hotel’s culture and value system.” In condolences commented Sanjeev Gardiner, Chairman of Galle Face Hotel Group.

Speaking at a recent interview with a leading Sunday Paper, Kuttan said, "I was helped to get this job in 1949, 13^th May, by a police constable. The hotel was exclusively for foreigners, the only locals who visited were Sir John Kotalawela, Sir Francis Molamure, and the present owner’s great grandfather." Kuttan when recalling his memories as a waiter said he had served dignitaries like Lord Mountbatten, Princess Elizabeth, Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, Gandhi and Arthur C. Clarke.

About the Galle Face Hotel: The Galle Face Hotel is an award winning heritage hotel located at the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Hotel is steeped in the unique history of the Country 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 with grandeur and elegance of the bygone era of Sri Lanka. Celebrating 150 years, the Galle Face Hotel is one of the significant historical landmarks in Asia.

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 sipping 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 Gardiner Group manages the hotel and leisure interests under this banner are two distinct portfolios of businesses.

The Deluxe Heritage Hotels Collection: Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Hotel Suisse & Queens Hotel in Kandy forms the deluxe Heritage collection.

Each hotel is connected to Sri Lanka’s history, imbibed with the splendor of yesteryear while continuing to serve visitors, foreign and domestic, in gracious surroundings.

The Resorts Collection: Four hotels located in some of Sri Lankas most special areas offer a modern facility with outstanding vistas & access to the wonderful Sri Lankan countryside.

The Lake Hotel Polonnaruwa, The Surf Hotel Bentota, The Safari Hotel Tiissamaharama and The Lake House Polonnaruwa

Each of these recently refurbished hotels offer traditional Sri Lankan hospitality to visitors.