Grand Oriental Hotel - Colombo - 1870/1926
Cnr Church Ln & York St, the Fort.
Familiarly known as the "G.O.H.", this grand old hotel faces the Passenger Jetty and harbour, and was the first port-of-call for passengers recently arrived in Colombo by mail steamer. Established in 1870, the hotel and its building have evolved over the years and the grand entrance hall and corner tower dates from extensive improvements made in 1926. By 1907, it boasted 154 bedrooms, electric lighting, electric fans, lifts to the upper floors, a dining-room for 300, a celebrated tropical palm garden and ballroom. The rooftop restaurant afforded panoramic views over the harbour and parts of the city below. For those passengers merely passing through, the ground floor arcade had shops offering everything from essentials like tobacco, guidebooks and local currency to souvenirs, jewellery and other curios.
The other grand hotels of that era in Colombo which continue to this day are the Galle Face Hotel and Mount Lavinia Hotel. Sadly, the nearby Bristol hotel is no more.
Despite a proud history, the past few decades have not been kind to the Fort which has been on a semi-permanent security lock-down due to Sri Lanka's 30 year civil war. Businesses have departed in droves leaving an empty ghost-town feel to much of the Fort. The GOH has not been immune to these troubles and whilst still operating, it has a neglected and shabby air to it. If the Sri Lankan authorities ever decide to depart the Fort and open it up again, the GOH would be a prime candidate for renovation, perhaps under the ownership of a global hotel chain.
Grand Oriental Hotel - Colombo - 1870/1926
Cnr Church Ln & York St, the Fort.
Familiarly known as the "G.O.H.", this grand old hotel faces the Passenger Jetty and harbour, and was the first port-of-call for passengers recently arrived in Colombo by mail steamer. Established in 1870, the hotel and its building have evolved over the years and the grand entrance hall and corner tower dates from extensive improvements made in 1926. By 1907, it boasted 154 bedrooms, electric lighting, electric fans, lifts to the upper floors, a dining-room for 300, a celebrated tropical palm garden and ballroom. The rooftop restaurant afforded panoramic views over the harbour and parts of the city below. For those passengers merely passing through, the ground floor arcade had shops offering everything from essentials like tobacco, guidebooks and local currency to souvenirs, jewellery and other curios.
The other grand hotels of that era in Colombo which continue to this day are the Galle Face Hotel and Mount Lavinia Hotel. Sadly, the nearby Bristol hotel is no more.
Despite a proud history, the past few decades have not been kind to the Fort which has been on a semi-permanent security lock-down due to Sri Lanka's 30 year civil war. Businesses have departed in droves leaving an empty ghost-town feel to much of the Fort. The GOH has not been immune to these troubles and whilst still operating, it has a neglected and shabby air to it. If the Sri Lankan authorities ever decide to depart the Fort and open it up again, the GOH would be a prime candidate for renovation, perhaps under the ownership of a global hotel chain.