One of Asia’s most historic luxury hotels, Sri Lanka’s Galle Face Hotel, recaptures its bygone allure with the completion of a long awaited restoration.

Some 150 years after its debut on the coast of the Indian Ocean, Sir Lanka’s Galle Face Hotel has been unveiled following a two and a half year long restoration of the hotel’s North Wing.

The restored section comprises 72 rooms and suites, a series of restaurant and bar spaces, a lobby, ballroom and executive lounge and is the most significant ever for the iconic property, with the rooms having entirely reimagined for the 21st century.

“With this restoration, we believe the property will resume its standing as one of the most storied hotels in all Asia,” says hotel chairman Sanjeev Gardiner.

The restoration project served as a sister to the previous refurbishment of the South Wing in 2006, and although both wings are fully operational and stand along, it is the newly restored North Wing that commands center stage.

The restoration stripped every room to the bone before bringing each back to life resplendent with striking new interiors and lush mahogany furnishings. Classic grey marble encases the bathroom walls, while private balconies with Oceanside views now emerge from 21 rooms.

Further Galle Face updates include the renovation of the previously titled Americano Bar, now trading under the more inclusive name of the Traveller’s Bar, which features a hand-carved mahogany wet bar, and photo gallery of previously visiting distinguished guests. The hotel recalls a 19th Century charm in spite of its renovations, from croquet lawns, to suites and menus.

Finally, the design of the restored wing includes the high-ceilinged lobby, which now features Corinthian columns alongside 17th century Dutch colonial chairs, and a wall-length terracotta mural bearing traditional Sri Lankan imagery.

Galle Face Hotel
gallefacehotel.com