The Spirit and Charm of the Galle Face Hotel

10 June 2014 09:45 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Bard of Avon once wrote that “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. The Galle Face Hotel for almost a century and a half has been known by many names. Asia’s Emerald on the Green, the Grande Dame of Serendip and the Beautiful Duchess are but a few that are reminiscent of the grandeur and history of perhaps the oldest hotel East of the Suez. Among its quaint stone pillars the GFH has quite a collection of stories and memories from the years gone by.

GFH possesses a prestigious heritage. Four British entrepreneurs built the hotel in 1864, embedding the colonial style architecture which has been preserved to this day. In the years since, the hotel earned its place as a landmark that gracefully lent romance and grandeur to Colombo. The tales of the GFH and the Galle Face Green that it overlooks have been captured by writers, artists and even scientists who favoured the hotel as their retreat of choice.

In many ways the GFH mirrors what Ceylon once was. Under British colonial rule, Ceylon thrived and was often known as the empire’s favourite colony. In another sense the GFH also embodies the true Sri Lankan spirit of strength. It is said that the area adjoining the hotel was used as a practicing ground for the British Royal Artillery Company and on one bright and sunny day a young Ceylon lascar ignited a 30-pound cannonball that went off course and ended up in the hotel dining room where it rolled and came to rest beneath a chair but fortunately did not explode. The governor at that time Sir Collin Campbell on hearing of the incident arrived to view “the incredible cannonball” and the mischief done. Over the years the hotel has marked this event with the annual Cannonball Run.

The hotel has also stood its ground through two world wars, 30 years of civil strife, the ever-changing tropical weather in Sri Lanka and a rollercoaster economy, even while others around it have risen and fallen. Today the GFH is undergoing extensive restoration in preparation for its 150th anniversary but the old world charm and the countless stories that its walls have seen and heard will live on.


A view from the South side of the property towards the Classic Wing	By the pool at what presently known as the Pool Bar

Dining at the Verandah	The lobby in the Classic Wing

The salt water pool in the past - made like a Bathing pavilion	The synonymous Checkerboard which was set up for the Queen's Jubilee Celebrations

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

The Spirit and Charm of the Galle Face Hotel

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

New Visa procedure implemented

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations