Hotel
Galle Face Hotel
Colombo's grand seafront hotel, founded in 1864 at the southern end of Galle Face Green, with 156 rooms, a museum and a string of restaurants and…
Shangri-La Colombo
A large luxury hotel opened in 2017 at One Galle Face, overlooking Galle Face Green, with 541 rooms, suites and apartments and direct access to the mall.
At a glance
- Type
- Luxury hotel
- Area
- Galle Face, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- shangri-la.com
Good to know
- Spa
- Pool bar
- Direct mall access
- Serviced apartments
Why we recommend it
Shangri-La Colombo is one of the city's largest luxury hotels and the anchor of the One Galle Face development on the site of the former Old Army Headquarters. It opened on 11 November 2017 and overlooks the historic Galle Face Green and the Indian Ocean coast, with direct access to One Galle Face Mall. The hotel offers 541 rooms, suites and serviced apartments, which it describes as having uninterrupted views.
Its size means there is plenty of choice without leaving the building. Shang Palace serves Dongbei, Szechuan and Cantonese cooking and runs a yum cha brunch of dim sum and barbecue on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Capital Bar and Grill and the all-day Central are the other main restaurants, and the bars and lounges include Little Gems, Sapphyr Lounge, Central Café, the Pool Bar and the Tiki Bar. The Lobby Lounge, a pastry shop, a Grab and Go counter and 24-hour room service round out the options. Wellbeing is covered by CHI, The Spa.
The serviced apartments and the mall next door make it a practical base for longer stays and for families, and its position means you can walk straight out onto Galle Face Green, the seafront promenade completed in 1859 and managed today by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The hotel was designed with MICD Associates and LRF Designers credited on the project, and it can host conferences of up to 2,000 guests.
Bandaranaike International Airport is roughly a 45-minute drive away, according to the hotel, which makes it a convenient first or last night in Sri Lanka. Book the weekend yum cha brunch at Shang Palace in advance if you plan to try it.
The location is one of the most central in Colombo. Galle Face Green is directly in front, the Fort district, with the Old Dutch Hospital and Ministry of Crab, is a few minutes north, and the Lotus Tower, Beira Lake, the Seema Malakaya and Gangaramaya Temple are a short tuk-tuk ride inland. ITC Ratnadipa and the Galle Face Hotel are close neighbours if you want to try their bars and restaurants during your stay.
Shangri-La Colombo FAQs
When did Shangri-La Colombo open?
On 11 November 2017.
How many rooms does it have?
The hotel lists 541 rooms, suites and serviced apartments.
Where is it?
At 1 Galle Face, Colombo 2, overlooking Galle Face Green, as part of One Galle Face.
What restaurants are there?
Shang Palace, Capital Bar and Grill and Central, plus several bars and lounges.
Is there a spa?
Yes, CHI, The Spa.
How far is the airport?
About a 45-minute drive from Bandaranaike International Airport.
Is it connected to a mall?
Yes, it has direct access to One Galle Face Mall.
What is nearby?
Galle Face Green, the Fort district, the Lotus Tower and Gangaramaya Temple.