Galadari Colombo kicks off multi-million dollar renovation

Friday, 2 February 2024 00:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Galadari Hotel Colombo Financial Controller Upali Perera, General Manager Sampath Siriwardena and Head of Marketing and Business Development Anuradha Wickramanayaka at the media briefing yesterday – Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe

Galadari Hotel Colombo yesterday formally announced the start of its strategic renovation of the 196-room star class property.

In May last year, Galadari Hotels Lanka PLC entered into a Hotel Development Services Agreement (HDSA) and a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) with Radisson Hotels Asia Pacific Investments Ltd. with a view to engage with Multinational Hotelier, Radisson Hotels.

Thereafter Galadari Hotels Lanka PLC successfully signed an agreement with the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka as the first step towards the property’s refurbishment process.

The property will go through a total transformation which will enable the hotel to set new standards solidifying its high competitiveness in the industry. A world-renowned architectural company based in Hong Kong will overlook the overall designing process of the property. The first phase, which includes a project cost estimated at $ 33.5 million will include 196 rooms, restaurant outlets, guest lobby and common areas and a completely revamped hotel facade. The 2nd phase is expected to commence one year after the completion of phase 1.

The BOI signoff is the first of a series of events that will be taking place as the hotel starts its new journey, which will lead to the engagement with Radisson Hotels to manage Galadari Colombo under the new brand name “Radisson Blu Hotel Galadari Colombo”.

Galadari Colombo said this paradigm shift will give the property an entirely new facelift. Complete with the most elegant rooms in the city topped with high-end restaurants and banquet venues, the property will soon be offering an entirely unique hospitality experience. This transformational journey will be the dawn of a new and exciting venture for Galadari Colombo.

Over the years the hotel has built up an enviable reputation in the industry and proudly boasts of nearly four decades of exemplary service in hospitality. Initial operation of the Hotel was set up in 1984 under the management of the Meridien French chain of hotels. Entwined with Sri Lankan hospitality and French elegance this formed the perfect blend for Le Galadari Meridien Colombo, the much talked about and only French chain in the city at that time.

Thereafter, Marriott International Hotels, Inc. took over the management of the hotel in June 1993. The Marriott chain was extremely pleased to add Colombo Marriott Hotel to its portfolio of properties outside that of the United States.