Galle Face Hotel – RegencyReviewed by Emma Boyle

In the newly refurbished southern wing of Colombo’s historic Galle Face Hotel, guests can enjoy superior levels of comfort whilst revelling in the elegant and sophisticated ambience of a bygone era. While every suite has been lavishly decorated and the public areas elegantly and contemporarily designed the hotel still evokes a colonial feel reminiscent of its Victorian birth where high ceilings, polished wood flooring, stately corridors and grand teak stairways predominate. Its position at the foot of the Galle Face Green’s verdant promenade, beside the swaying surf of the Indian Ocean and close to all of the city’s main attractions have given it an unrivalled location in the capital since its establishment in 1864.

The Regency has its own entrance from the Galle Road and comprises of four floors, each of which is staffed by personal butlers who see to guests’ every whim and fancy. Guestrooms are spacious and luxuriously appointed with contemporary furnishings, majestic en-suite bathrooms and all the mod cons to ensure that you benefit from plenty of tranquillity and comfort for the perfect night’s sleep. Every Oceanic Suite has stunning sea views and balconies from which to enjoy them, some of which are fitted with jacuzzis for that extra touch of exclusivity. And, since all of the balconies are west-facing, it’s the perfect excuse to pop open a bottle of bubbly and revel in a spectacularly romantic rose tinted sunset whilst taking the opportunity to completely unwind.

A beautifully sited saltwater swimming pool takes pride of place at the front of the hotel and is perfect for passing the hours soaking up the sun and counting the ships on the horizon when you have had enough of visiting the city’s attractions. A fantastic spa featuring a delicious range of international treatments is another way to fill the hours as is reading a book on the checkerboard terrace. The Regency has a wide range of eateries including Sea Spray, the Verandah and the fine dining 1864 as well as a couple of atmospheric places to hang out with a stiff drink, relax and evoke thoughts of yesteryear.

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Each of the guestrooms at The Regency is fresh, contemporary and spacious. Furnishings are luxuriously appointed using dark woods and modern ceramics. Large beds are dressed in the finest Egyptian cotton sheets to ensure a pleasant night’s sleep. En-suite bathrooms are large and majestic with marble floors, walk-in showers and designer fittings. Each floor is presided over by a butler who personally attends to every guests need.

Ocean Suite
These super spacious suites directly overlook the sea and feature a Jacuzzi either inside the room or on the balcony overlooking the spectacular panorama of the ocean.

Ocean Deluxe
Overlooking the patio and with a view of the ocean, these deluxe rooms offer every contemporary comfort.

– Visit the city’s cultural sites including the old districts of the Fort and Pettah, the Independence Memorial, the National Museum and the Gangaramaya Temple

- Shop the city’s boutiques for everything from beautiful batiks, Indian silks and blue sapphires to stunning homeware pieces and antiques.

- Explore the wealth of culinary expertise: there are fine Japanese, Thai, Indian, Italian and Greek restaurants

- Take a helicopter ride above the city to get an aerial perspective

- Walk the Galle Face Green at sunset, fly a kite and sample some traditional street food

- Discover the country’s exciting artistic talent and the various small art galleries and exhibition spaces

- Indulge in spa treatments at the handful of world-class salons

A good choice for families is the interconnecting Oceanic Suite and deluxe room. There are many things for children to enjoy in Colombo including pedallo-ing on Beira Lake; visiting the Gangaramaya temple and learning about Buddhism as well as meeting the elephant and feeding him a snack; flying kites and playing cricket on the Galle Face Green and playing on the beach in Mount Lavinia.

The Galle Face Hotel offers many opportunities for a range of dining experiences. Wake up to wonderful buffet breakfasts featuring American, Continental and Sri Lankan cuisine on the ocean-facing Verandah as the sun begins to brighten the lawn, or as it starts its descent into the ocean tuck into delicious high teas where waffles, sandwiches, scones, cookies and pastries are delicately assembled in a tempting display to accompany the finest Ceylon teas.

For dinner, guests can choose from the Verandah’s delicious Oriental and Western a la carte menu or visit the Sea Spray seafood restaurant which serves up fantastic cuisine just inches from the swaying ocean. The 1864 is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant where its luxurious interior sedately pays tribute to the hotel’s grand history whilst at the same time exhibiting an innovative menu of fusion cuisine influenced by the flavours of Asia.

The Checkerboard is the ideal place to be at sunset for a cool cocktail or an icy beer as the sky becomes richly carpeted with a rose blush while the teak panelled Wine Lounge with its underground wine cellar full of fine vintages offers the perfect lifestyle experience for lovers of wine, cheese and cigars.