Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Sri Lanka / Nuwara Eliya / The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya, Central, Sri Lanka · Independent · Accessible Luxury
Barnes Hall was built in 1828 as Barnes Hall, the private holiday residence of Governor Sir Edward Barnes, the estate was transformed into a hotel and renamed the Grand Hotel in 1891. Acquired by the Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company in 1892, it grew from a single-story bungalow into the Elizabethan-style manor that anchors Sri Lanka's "Little England," hosting royal and noble guests throughout its history.
- 154 rooms
- Opened 1891
- Neighborhood: Nuwara Eliya District
- Rooms from 400 sq ft (37 m²)
About The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
- The Grand Hotel began in 1828 as Barnes Hall, the private holiday residence of Governor Sir Edward Barnes, and was renamed the Grand Hotel in 1891.
- The Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company acquired it in 1892, and it grew from a single-storey bungalow into an Elizabethan-style manor in Sri Lanka's Little England.
- The billiards room still uses two historic tables from the 1930s, and English gardens span four acres.
- Entry-level rooms start at 400 sq ft (37 m²).
History
Originally built in 1828 as Barnes Hall, the private holiday residence of Governor Sir Edward Barnes, the estate was transformed into a hotel and renamed the Grand Hotel in 1891. Acquired by the Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company in 1892, it has evolved from a single-story bungalow into a premier Elizabethan-style manor that serves as the architectural heart of Sri Lanka's "Little England." The property has hosted numerous royal and noble guests throughout its history, maintaining its status as a symbol of colonial elegance in the tea country.
The setting
1 km from Victoria Park. 154 km from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport.
Restaurants and bars
- Barnes Restaurant — Restaurant
- Grand Indian — Restaurant · Indian
- Grand Thai — Restaurant · Thai
- Magnolia All Day — Restaurant
- Grand Veranda — Restaurant
- Grand Café — Café
- Public Bar — Bar
- Wine Bar — Bar
- The Library Bar — Bar
- Piano Lounge — Bar
Experiences
- Golfing Paradise — Golf offering listed as a hotel facility.
- Grand Outdoors — Outdoor facility listed on the site.
Amenities
- Award-winning English gardens spanning four acres
- Mindfulness Studio (full-service spa) and fitness center
- Indoor heated swimming pool
- Billiards room with two historic tables from the 1930s
- Multiple specialty dining venues including Grand Indian and Grand Thai
- Renowned High Tea experience at the Grand Veranda
- Kids' club
Open The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.