What - Historical splendour of Galle Face Hotel 
Where - 2, Galle Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka 

Today on WTF, I took a trip to the place which tells a story from the time the doors open, a place where royalty and stars dined and partied and the place where history still lives! I checked in to the Presidential Suite to relive the good times. 

South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present. Celebrated within the hospitality world, it blends historical splendor with crafted modernity to form a new model for heritage properties. The Hotel originally opened in 1864, borrowing its name from the charming expanse of ground known as the Galle Face Green, which stretches for a kilometer by the side of the Hotel, along the coast, where, in Victorian times, it was a popular place to take a walk in the sea air, or a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. 

One of the shareholders in 1911 was Mr. Victor Vicarosso, the great grandfather of the current Chairman and owner of the hotel. In 1960 Mr. Cyril Gardiner became a director of the Hotel and the Chairman in 1965. Upon his passing in 1996, his only son Mr. Sanjeev Gardiner became the Chairman of the Galle Face Hotel and continues to hold this title, extending the family association for over 100 years. 

Few hours after I arrived I was taken on a historian tour with Mystica who has served the hotel for the past 10 years. She pointed out various architectural highlights as well as relating various stories and legends of years past. She is the keeper of all archives and artifacts dating back as far as the late nineteenth century. I was given all the inside stories behind the mural at the lobby, ballrooms, chequerboard, museum of famous faces and artefacts set out with loving care and situated on the second floor of the South Wing of the hotel. 

Then I was a part of drinks at the chequerboard along with the flag lowering ceremony which is usually around 5:45PM. Done so beautiful, I'm told around 6PM, the hotel's social media pages gets filled with many photographs. 

Dinner at the Sea Spray was a treat, as Chef Jagath just made us a dish which was spot on! I was served Round Island Barramundi Fillet - olive tapenade, glazed fennel, orange, baby potato and extra virgin olive oil, with fine fish all the way from Australia, definitely a world class dish to try out! 

On my second day I woke up with a smile, because when you sleep at the suite with a view so beautiful it's even a miracle that I got off bed. I finished my breakfast and went off to play an old game, which was enjoyed by the English gentlemen back in the days! Croquet which became popular throughout the British empire. It gained such tremendous popularity that an association was formed at Wimbledon and formal rules were laid down in 1868. Many fields were dedicated to Croquet including this one here at the Galle Face Hotel where the game has now been played almost since its inception. The Colombo Croquet Club (CCC) was formed some years ago at the Galle Face Hotel by a group of young and elderly friends in an attempt to keep the wonderful game alive. 

And my stay came to an end with the Afternoon Tea which has been inspired by the Harrods Menu, which is a handful of goodies, just perfect when the sun is setting. And if you want a bit of a Sri Lankan twist, they have that too, and my favourite is the cheese and seeni sambol sandwich. 

If you want to experience something which is timeless, GFH is a place to go! 

Today on WTF 

Video and photographs by You’re My Favorite 
Hair and make up by Capello Salons 
Transport Partner - PickMe 
Outfit - LOVI Sarongs