Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Overlookin­g the sea and Galle Fort in grand style

- By Oshani Alwis

Nestled in the historic Southern city of Galle, overlookin­g Galle Fort – evoking the feel of Dutch colonial times and the Indian Ocean, Le Grand Galle spells comfort and serenity.

The journey to Le Grand Galle from Colombo takes around one and a half hours along the Southern Expressway. Exiting from Pinnaduwa, the hotel is located another 10km towards the city of Galle.

The lobby cum sitting room of Le Grand Galle opens to a breathtaki­ng view of the hotel pool, lavish green courtyard, the vast sea and Galle Fort beyond. A side wall is elegantly decorated with porcelain plates, old Dutch Delftware.

Le Grand Galle, a resort property by Asia Leisure Hotels has 57 luxury rooms with all modern amenities, unique interior design and architectu­re.The corridors leading to the rooms are decorated with framed photograph­s which capture the colonial grandeur of Galle Fort. The inner sitting areas have ebony Dutch sofas and armchairs with elaborate carvings.

“Le Grand caters to the concept of a resort in the city as Galle is the largest developing city and hub for tourism after Colombo. All the interiors are carefully designed in an amalgamati­on of both Dutch and modern styles,” states Lahiru De Silva, Resident Manager.

The Plungepool suite, the hotel’s highest category luxury suite is lavishly spacious with two lounges and a private plunge pool opening onto a private courtyard overlookin­g a screw pine grove and the Indian Ocean.

The second category of Jacuzzi suite is ideal to watch the spectacula­r sunsets and sea views from the in-room jacuzzi while Le Grand premium room offers panoramic views of Galle Fort and the ocean from the open terrace and jacuzzi.

The super deluxe rooms are elegantly designed with an in-room open bath area. The fourth room category is especially designed to give an open view of the ocean while in the bath while the deluxe rooms provide direct access to the main pool through an open verandah.

Dip - Le Grand’s poolside bar offers cocktails, and a live action cooking station. It is especially designed to enjoy your favourite drinks while relaxing under the shade of umbrellas on the wooden deck.

Blue is the hotel’s speciality seafood restaurant which features an open kitchen. It is an ideal space to enjoy fine dining while catching an open view of the ocean, the Fort and the screw pine grove nearby. Blue is designed with wooden flooring, rattan chairs and lamp shades. Taste is La Grand’s all-day dining restaurant which features culinary delights close to home.

Le Grand’s luxury spa Sanatio is a wellness retreat where guests can be enveloped in the fragrance of ayurvedic herbs, or relax in the sauna and steam. The gym caters to all kinds of fitness enthusiast­s, with modern fitness accessorie­s and personal trainers to create customized fitness plans.

Le Grand Galle is at No.30, Park Road, Kaluwella, Galle. For more see www.legrandgal­le.lk

 ?? Pix by Ishanka Sunimal ?? Soaking up the view.
Pix by Ishanka Sunimal Soaking up the view.
 ??  ?? Your own little space: The hotel’s lobby area
Your own little space: The hotel’s lobby area

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