NOTE: The Galle Face Pool is now closed to non-hotel guests. Sadness.
Well you really can’t do one without the other – the Mount Lavinia Hotel and the Galle Face Hotel are Colombo’s colonial duo. So we headed to the GFH’s famed salt water pool. That’s right, no chlorine here, but salt so you get a bit of added buoyancy and less of that horrid chorine smell.
Design wise its nothing special, just a rectangular pool, but its classic look suits the hotel and perched on a ledge above the sea it manages to be pretty photogenic.
We really enjoyed our swim at the GFH. It was far less crowded than Mount Lavinia, even though here you can actually see the sea while you swim. The service was attentive and excellent and even the views from poolside aren’t second to Mt Lavnia’s. As it’s in a bit of a nook towards the rear of the hotel you also have more privacy than at other hotel pools.
Good for: Laps. It’s a square pool relatively uncrowded by hotel standards so you can really get some exercise. Its also got good service and great views.
Bad for: Posing. As it tucked away too few people will admire your agua bendita bandeu or my boratesque mankini. Seriously it’s the best way to beat the crowds – crowded pool + mankini = the pool to yourself in 5 mins.
Price: Rs 1000
Length: 20 meters
Depth: 1 Shruthi – shallow end.
Lion Larger Rs. 400, Club Sandwich Rs. 500
