Colombo Grand Oriental Hotel | AmazingLanka.com

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Colombo Grand Oriental Hotel from Book of Ceylon (1912)

The Grand Oriental Hotel (popularly known as the GOH) is one of Colombo’s two oldest hotels, sharing its legacy with the iconic Galle Face Hotel near Galle Face Green. Built in 1837, the property first served as a Dutch military hospital before its transformation into a grand luxury hotel in 1875. Perfectly situated just outside the Colombo Harbor jetty, GOH became a landmark stopover for colonial travelers, sailors, and dignitaries passing through what was then Ceylon.

Today, though operating as a three-star hotel with 80 rooms and two suites, the GOH still exudes a sense of timeless charm. Guests walking through its corridors are greeted not only by colonial-era architecture but also by fragments of history—like the original 190-year-old commemorative plaque, which details its origins as a military barrack under the reign of King William IV.

IN THE REIGN OF KING WILLIAM IV.
THIS BARRACK
Being the first of the Improvements in the Military
Buildings throughout Ceylon.
For which £30,000 was granted by His Majesty’s Govt. in 1835.
Was commenced on the 23rd February 1837.
And
Was completed on the 27th October 1837.
When
THE RT. HON. SIR ROBERT WILMOT HORTON BART. G.C.H.
Was
GOVERNOR OF THE ISLAND;
And When
THE HON. MAJR.-GEN. SIR JOHN WILSON K.C.B.
COMMANDED HIS MAJESTY’S FORCES.

From Barracks to Luxury Hotel

Originally constructed as military barracks in 1837, the building was later converted into a luxury hotel on the initiative of Governor Sir Robert Wilmot Horton. The transformation was entrusted to architect C. E. Willims, already renowned for designing the Colombo General Hospital. Interestingly, the conversion was completed under budget at £1,868, instead of the estimated £2,007—a feat even for the 19th century (Sirimane, 2002).

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the GOH had become a benchmark of colonial luxury. Its facilities were ahead of their time: electric lights, ceiling fans in every bedroom, an electric lift, and even hot and cold running water.

Grandeur in the Early 1900s

Travel writers of the era left glowing reviews. Skeen (1906) described the dining hall—capable of seating 350 people—as a vibrant space filled with orchestral music, al fresco dinners under glowing lamps, and the hum of international travelers awaiting their ships. The hotel also featured a billiard room with four tables, praised as one of the best in Asia.

“The cuisine and attendance are of the highest class. It is lit by electric light, served with an electric lift, and electric fans are placed in all the bedrooms. Other charming features of this hotel are its Palm Court and Tropical Garden and its private orchestra. The Hotel Band plays during tiffin and dinner and frequently of an evening in the brilliantly illuminated gardens, where al fresco dinners are occasionally served. The scene here when several mail steamers are in is a very animated one, rivalling that at Shepherd’s in Cairo during the old overland route days.”

Just a year later, Write (1907) added that the GOH was “one of the largest, best appointed and coolest hotels in the East”, highlighting its Italian marble interiors, palm court, and telephone connections—a rarity for that time.

“The hotel is lighted throughout by electricity, and all the public rooms and bedrooms are kept cool by means of electric fans. A lift gives easy access to the upper floors, and the telephone connection is a convenience that meets with high appreciation. On the ground floor of the large building are the entrance hall, with the manager’s and the inquiry offices, spacious lounge verandahs, a billiard-room (with four first-rate tables by Burroughs & Watts), the palm court, and the grand dining room. The latter is recognised as one of the largest, best appointed and coolest in the East. It is fitted with electric lights and fans, and is capable of seating 300 persons“

By 1912, Cave noted that the hotel had expanded to accommodate 600 guests, boasting 500 electric fans, marble staircases, Chippendale-style furniture, and a ballroom worthy of Europe’s finest.

Decline and Change of Fortune

The hotel was refurbished again in 1920, introducing attached bathrooms for the first time. By the 1930s, GOH had nearly 500 rooms across three floors, giving it the feel of a sprawling Italian palace.

However, the mid-20th century brought challenges. In the 1950s, civil unrest, communal tensions, and labor strikes diminished its reputation. Its then-owner, Sam De Vos, sold the property in 1954 to the Bank of Ceylon for Rs. 650,000. Mismanagement and political instability further eroded its status, and the hotel gradually lost its glamour.

The Grand Oriental Today

Since the early 2000s, efforts have been made to restore some of its former prestige. While it no longer rivals its colonial-era opulence, the GOH still retains much of its old-world charm. Its Harbour Room Restaurant offers panoramic views of the busy Colombo port, providing a nostalgic dining experience where history meets the modern hustle of the city.

For travelers, the GOH is more than a place to stay—it is a living monument to Colombo’s colonial past, echoing stories of explorers, sailors, and high society that once filled its marble halls.

In the early days of Grand Oriental Hotel

References

Cave, H. W. (1912). The Book of Ceylon – Being a Guide to Its Railway System and an Account of Its Varied Attractions for the Visitor and Tourist (2nd ed.). Cassell and Company Limited. (Original work published 1908)
Elliott, C. B. (1938). The Real Ceylon (3rd ed.). H. W. Cave & Co. (Original work published 1924)
Holden, Lord. (1939). Ceylon. George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
Sirimane, S. (2002, July 16). 100 years in business : GOH turns into a high profit-making venture with dawn of millennium. Daily News.
Smythe, P. R. (1932). A Ceylon Commentary (1st ed.). Williams & Norgate Ltd.
Toulba, A. F. (1926). Ceylon : The Land of the Eternal Charm (1st ed.). Hutchinson & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.
Wright, A. (2004). Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources (1st ed.). Asian Educational Services. (Original work published 1907)

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