- Sri Lanka Holidays
- Colombo
- Grand Oriental Hotel
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Grand Oriental Hotel
Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean
Colombo
The charming Grand Oriental Hotel is a city hotel situated in the lively metropolis of Colombo. The hotel is situated on the prominent York Street surrounded by businesses and banks and in close proximity to the beach and a host of bars, shops and restaurants. Colombo International airport is just 45 minutes' driving distance from the hotel.The colonial style hotel dates back to 1875 and has long been popular with Colombo natives particularly for ballroom dancing. Once a mansion of a Dutch Governor and military barracks it enjoys a long and varied history. Elements of a bygone era are displayed the hotel including old crockery and furniture and these combined with exceptional modern convenience give this decadent hotel that little something special.
Facilities
- Wheelchair-accessible
- Car park
- 24-hour reception
- Wired Internet
- Wi-fi
- Car hire*
- Transfer service*
- Valet parking
- Room service
- Laundry service
- *Some facilities may incur an additional fee
The Local Area
Tripadvisor Reviews
3.0 Average777 reviews
Excellent
9%
Very Good
33%
Average
34%
Poor
12%
Terrible
12%
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Disappointed with foods
I visited this restaurant yesterday with my family and a friend, and while the service staff was exemplary, the dining experience itself was highly disappointing.
The Service I must begin by commending the restaurant manager and the bar staff. They were incredibly polite, professional, and helpful throughout our stay. Their hospitality is a credit to the establishment.
The Kitchen & Food Quality Unfortunately, the kitchen did not meet the same standards. We encountered several significant issues:
Inflexible Service: After our friend requested string hoppers, the chef initially refused. Even after multiple requests, the alternative provided (three small pieces of roti) was inadequate.
Inaccurate Dishes: The roti was served with a chicken curry, but when we requested Lunumiris, we were served a red gravy that was clearly not the authentic condiment requested.
Substandard Main Courses: We ordered three Chicken Cordon Bleu dishes. They were unseasoned and, most surprisingly, contained no cheese.
Misleading Menu Descriptions: The menu promised a vegetable salad and chips. Instead, we received a very small portion of French fries, a few slices of cucumber, and a single piece of carrot.
Professional Conclusion As a travel agent, I pay close attention to the "value for money" and the consistency of the guest experience. While your front-of-house team is doing an excellent job, the kitchen is currently a liability. Food quality is the heart of a restaurant’s success, and without immediate attention to the chef’s response and culinary output, you risk losing both reputation and repeat business.
Based on this experience, I would find it very difficult to recommend or book this venue for my future clients.
Review by Asian Indigo L Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka
Grand Oriental Hotel
Me and my husband went to the Harbour Court for Lunch today and trust me the restaurant had the best view of the Port there. It was such a pleasant and peaceful moment for both of us to sit and dine after all the hussle and bustle we deal with during the weekdays. The food was worth for the price and the staff was super friendly. In fact the chef there taught me how to make a particular curry which was there and cant wait to make it and serve my kids!! One of the best restaurants to sit and dine with a lovely view!
Review by Manishawitharana Colombo, Sri Lanka
Historic Hotel but Very Traditional and Needs Improvement
This hotel is not bad overall, and it has a very traditional and historic atmosphere, which can be interesting for some guests. The building itself feels very old and classic, and you can feel the history of the place.
However, the hotel is quite old and very traditional, and some facilities need improvement. One of the main issues during my stay was that there was not even a blanket available in the room, which made the stay uncomfortable at times.
Overall, it is an acceptable place to stay, but it may not be the best choice for those looking for modern comfort and updated facilities.
Review by mohisheykh Tehran, Iran
Not very grand at all
I should have checked other reviews before booking this hotel, but I was unexpectedly required to spend two extra nights in Colombo due to international political disruptions and was seduced by the price. It was a place to sleep, and wasn't uncomfortable, so I won't give it one star. However, it is an old hotel with unexpectedly average amenities. The breakfast was simple but good and the view from the breakfast room was lovely. Room service food was good, nothing to disparage at least. The staff were polite and kind. It's in a great location right near the port and fort. However, there was almost zero water pressure in the shower and a cockroach the size of my thumb invited himself to join me in it. There were various other bugs in the bathroom as well, and the shower goods provided were subpar - two bars of soap, two shower caps, and a bottle of something green that I presumed was hand soap. The room otherwise seemed clean and the A/C worked well. At six a.m., piano music began playing from the ceiling and continued for I presume the rest of the day. For Sri Lanka, I think the price for the quality was too high. There are much, much better hotels along the Galle road for only slightly higher prices.
Old Ceylon still lives in great style!
Walking in was like stepping back to Coronation year, E2R I mean! This grand old lady looks exactly as she would have when our late Queen took possession of the Dominion. It's a beautiful time warp and so inexpensive. Huge rooms, clean, comfortable. The bathrooms are great. A lovely breakfast in the delightful top floor dining room bar looking over the port is not fancy but just what is required. The aircon works well but the water pressure in the shower a bit of a let down but hey, we cope! Ceiling fans would be nice. The public areas are just worth exploring, and it takes up a whole block! Wander the colonnades and discover old Colombo.
Review by marcusssydney2018 Sydney, Australia
