Grander than ever!
Daily News (via HT Media Ltd.)
Sixteen years after the death of the French General Napoleon Bonaparte, the Grand Oriental Hotel, which formerly started as an army barrack in the 1800’s, was converted into a hotel by the British in 1837. Since then the Grand Oriental hotel has seen history take shape. It has seen Hitler’s invasion of Poland, Denmark and Norway and the surrender of Berlin. As the Sri Lankan War against the LTTE raged on, the Grand Oriental Hotel stood watching.
Like the aging of wine which is potentially able to improve the quality of wine, and the ripening of cheese, the GOH has also improved in quality over the years. As of now the Grand Oriental Hotel has now been completely refurbished. After nearly 180 years, it has started another chapter in its history. It is very much a part of the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka and is undisputedly a fine piece of architecture.