Galadari Hotel’s US$ 33.5 mn facelift kicks off

• Renovations to be handled by Sanken Constructions
• Expresses intent to enter into a series of agreements with Mashreq Bank PSC (UAE) to finance the refurbishment
• Rebranding to ‘Radisson Blu Hotel Galadari Colombo’ expected by May 2025

By Ishan Sheriffdeen

Long standing Galadari Hotel, located at the heart of Colombo, is all set to receive the much needed facelift. Its management yesterday announced the kickoff of a US$ 33.5 million phase one refurbishment.

The renovations will be handled by Sanken Constructions (Pvt) Ltd, while a Hong Kong-based top architectural company will overlook the overall designing process of the property.
In a filing to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday, Galadari Hotels (Lanka) PLC said it intends to enter into a series of agreements with its holding company, Galadari Brothers Co. LLC, and Mashreq Bank PSC, United Arab Emirates to finance the refurbishment. This is subject to the passing of a special resolution by the shareholders of the company and obtaining other necessary regulatory approvals.

 The first phase refurbishment will include 196 rooms, restaurant outlets, guest lobby and common areas and a completely revamped hotel facade. 
Once completed, Radisson Hotels is to take over the management of Galadari Colombo, where the branding will be changed to ‘Radisson Blu Hotel Galadari Colombo’. 
The hotel will be outsourcing the rooftop, the Indian restaurant and the Lebanese restaurant to world-renowned top brands. 
“Negotiations with some of the top brands are currently underway in this regard.
“This massive investment on the hotel’s renovation project is a clear indication of the level of faith and trust placed on Sri Lanka by our chairman Mohammed Galadari. With Sri Lanka’s economy recovering and showing signs of stability, we are confident the return on this investment could be got sooner than expected,” said Galadari Hotel General Manager Sampath Siriwardena.

The management is targeting the new brand launch by May next year (2025), as it is a peak season.

Referring to the challenges associated during the initial refurbishment phase, Siriwardena noted that the hotel’s room inventory would go down considerably. 

“It will be challenging for us to operate a hotel while one part of the property is under construction. That is a challenge as to how we manage the guests, and we are very much confident we could overcome the challenge,” he said.

The second phase is expected to commence one year after the completion of phase one.

Galadari Colombo has won the SLIM-Kantar People’s Hotel Brand of the Year award for four consecutive years, and is the only Sri Lankan hotel to achieve such a feat to-date.

Sri Lanka should be more effective in destination marketing

• Galadari GM opines branding along the lines of ‘Feel Sri Lanka’ is more apt

In terms of destination marketing, Sri Lanka could do better instead of sticking on to the traditional ways of doing things as no more a country could be promoted going by the beaches and cultural aspects, Galadari GM said.

According to Galadari GM Sampath Siriwardena , the island nation can flaunt its offering in adventure tourism, local cuisine, sports, and the hospitable nature of the locals along the lines of ‘Feel Sri Lanka’.

Speaking to Mirror Business, Siriwardena said that when it comes to Colombo in particular, it’s no more a “sleeping” city as it was in the past, therefore much needs to be done.

“There is a lot of activity. So, we have to make tourists aware of it. There is a need for authorities to concentrate and market the destination to attract more quality, high-spending American, Japanese, and French tourists like in the 1970s and 1980s,” he said.