Accommodation Media
Media Review
Footprints Sri Lanka, 4th Edition , Nov 2009
`Originally built in 1864, probably the most atmospheric place to stay in Colombo. Room price varies according to view, from none to ocean! Carefully maintained colonial atmosphere, with beautiful furniture. Friendly staff, superb service….veranda bar best in Colombo for sunset drink…’
Lonely Planet , Jan 2009
'This 145 year old grande dame of Colombo faces Galle Face Green to the north and the sea to the west. The sweeping stairways, high ceilings and grass courtyard buffeted by sea breezes look much the same as they did nearly 100 years ago. Just about everyone who visits Colombo shows up for a drink at the Veranda bar at some point, whether or not they stay at the hotel.'
Rough Guide Sri Lanka, Second Edition , Jul 2006
`The city’s most famous hotel, this ocean-front landmark has bags of colonial charm and slightly quirky character. Rooms in the old building (now known as the Classic Wing) are a bit faded but nonetheless atmospheric (avoid the extremely noisy ones overlooking the Galle Rd)…’
Lonely Planet Sri Lanka, 2006
The hotel that epitomizes Colombo is this 142 year old grande dame, facing Galle Face Green to the north and the sea to the west. The sweeping stairways, high ceilings and grass courtyard buffeted by sea breezes look much the same as they did nearly 100 years ago….the southern wing (Galle Face Regency) has recently undergone a total renovation and now caters to discerning tastes with a wine lounge, a state–of-the-art spa, and a fusion restaurant, 1864
Hi Magazine, 2006
Pristine and subtle. For a guest walking down the entry hall of the newly renovated Regency at the Galle-Face Hotel for the first time, both these words will come to mind…..this doesn’t mean that Regency guests aren’t going to be pampered in the hotel’s `7th Avenue’ salon, served their favourite fruit juices, waited on hand-and-foot by a 24-hour butler service, or enjoy a wide selection of wines from the hotel’s wine cellar. No. At the Regency…..`less is more’ means that all of these things will appear as naturally and quietly as a soft Colombo sunset.
Customer Feedback
Oct 20, 2011 : Five star luxury - unbelievable food service and location.
PM, Australia
Jul 30, 2010 : This is our favourite hotel in Colombo, excellent rooms staff and facilities, but still retaining its old world charm. The nicest international hotel we have stayed in the world and we've stayed in many. The accommodation is great and staff excellent.
KM, Chester
Oct 22, 2009 : A superb hotel in a wonderful location. We loved the colonial atmosphere combined with modern comfort. Excellent value for money
JB, Southampton
Oct 22, 2009 : A superb hotel in a wonderful location. We loved the colonial atmosphere combined with modern comfort. Excellent value for money.
JB, Southampton
Feb 04, 2009 : Everything as expected from an old established hotel
DB, Kent
Dec 22, 2008 : A great place for an old fashioned experience in Colombo
LT, Kent
Sep 10, 2008 : The Galle Face Regency has so much more character and style than most modern hotels. It manages to combine contemporary with colonial. We loved tea on the terrace, cocktails at sunset and the bustle of wedding ceremonies in the old part of the hotel. Nicely positioned on the coast but also good for city sightseeing
MH, Oxon, UK
Sep 06, 2008 : The Regency Wing of the venerable Galle Face Hotel is a worthy addition to the colonial majesty of the old wing. It seamlessly marries style and comfort, a sensitively imagined modern addition that blends and gives a modern definition to the stately character of the old wing. The hotel makes wonderful use of the oceanic vista while offering guests all the mod cons of a top quality hotel. Well appointed rooms with lovely views, gracious service and old world charm with new world luxuries make this a hotel that is worth a stay. We stayed at the Galle Face for 2 nights in August 2008 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Be sure to choose an "Oceanic Friends of Galle Face Hotel" room. Despite it being a small room, it has all the comforts you would need besides giving you a lovely view of the Indian Ocean. The buffet breakfasts are good although they may get a little tedious if you stay there for a week or more. And don't miss the small but informative hotel museum, which even has a gleaming silver vintage jalopy that QE II rode in on her visit to Colombo long ago. If there is a city hotel in Colombo that offers style, charm and character, this is it!
NJ, Chennai, India
Aug 07, 2008 : Offered rooms different from booked due to high occupancy and delayed rooms for 45 minutes. Good room.
PP, Cheshire, UK
Jul 26, 2008 : Enjoyed the old world and charm of Galle Face. Very comfortable and food excellent - especially in "Seaspray".
AT, Sussex, UK
Jul 24, 2008 : Lovely way to end a holiday…
DW, Wales
Jul 15, 2008 : Lovely room, although no view..
DB, Suffolk, UK
Jul 09, 2008 : Galle face regency is part of the old grand hotel "Galle Face". Consequently one can enjoy both worlds: the more shabby old chic of the Galle Face and the very convenient, modern but old looks of Galle Face Regency. Only disadvantage: the shower in our room was flooded after 2 minutes of showering. Apart from that the Regency wing offers best value for money in Colombo!
KM, California, USA
Apr 27, 2008 : In response to your request for feedback on our stay at the GFH, We have in fact stayed there 3 times now in the last 2 years, each time in the Regency Wing. Very good room allocations in an Oceanic Suite 4008 in March 2006 through SriLankainStyle and in Friends of GFH sea facing rooms 3008 and 2020 through your good services in April/May this year. We are very pleased to be booked into GFH again with you in January/February 2009. The GFH, as one of the oldest established hotels in Asia, has a character all of its own with its unbroken history, its unmatched position on Galle Face Green and its famous register of honoured guests from around the world over nearly 150 years. We have always found the staff courteous, efficient and friendly not only in the Regency Wing reception and the concierge but also in the restaurants and bars. This time we hope to make use of the hotel's spa facilities if we can find the time to relax!’
LR, Hants, UK
Mar 30, 2008 : My stay at the Galle Face Regency was fantastic! It was in a brilliant location to explore the city we enjoyed walking along the green. A word of warning - every time we left the hotel we were approached by someone who claimed to work at the hotel!!!! They didn't, so female travellers beware of con men!
CB, Essex, UK
Mar 14, 2008 : We had a wonderful double aspect room overlooking the sea Fabulous ‘time warp’ colonial feel to the place, very atmospheric Oh and the food was good too!
PD, Cheltenham, UK
Mar 07, 2008 : Fortunate enough to be upgraded to a large balcony room with Jacuzzis. Unfortunately one Jacuzzi didn’t work but room was still pretty impressive. Afternoon tea is must as it is very good value for money and colonial atmosphere.
JM, Gloucestershire, UK
Feb 16, 2008 : I stayed twice at the Galle Face Hotel in 2008, for a total of 5 nights. I found both experiences very enjoyable. The staff were always extremely friendly and helpful - particularly in the air-conditioned 1864 bar, where they’re happy to give you a tour of the wine cellar if you ask nicely. They also have live entertainment at weekends from the resident pianist and offer a very attentive service. A good choice of foods – both traditional Sri Lankan and of a more European nature – are available for breakfast, which is taken on the covered terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean. A great way to start the day! There are good restaurant and bar facilities available, and enjoying a Lion Beer on the Terrace at sunset, as the sun bubbles into the ocean on the horizon, is always a highlight of a visit here – whether as a resident or as a passing customer. However, if you fancy something a bit different without straying too far, The German Restaurant or the Inn on the Green pub – popular with British visitors and ex-pats – are located right next to the hotel. The Galle Face Hotel offers a touch of colonial style coupled with modern facilities such as air-conditioning, a gym and internet access. If you happen to be visiting on an auspicious day, the number and variety of fabulous and colourful wedding outfits that you’ll behold is a treat in itself. If you’re planning to stay in Colombo, this hotel should be at the top of your itinerary!
GF, Surrey, UK

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