The website, CNN Travel, recently recognised Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, as one of the top heritage hotels in Asia.
This achievement places Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, in the company of prominent hotels such as Raffles Singapore, The Peninsula, Hong Kong and Manila Hotel, Philippines, which is a huge honour for Sri Lanka as well as Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.
This feat comes on the heels of multitude awards and accolades won by Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, this year. Adding to the ever-enlarging portfolio of accomplishments such as being voted as one of the best places to visit in the world by Nat Geo, winning the top honours at the Culinary Art Food Expo, CNCI Awards, Star Awards and bagging Most Iconic Heritage Hotel and Leadership awards at the Best Brands Awards, Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, has unquestionably proven their mettle in a fiercely competitive industry.
The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya – in its existence of 194years (66 years as a private residence and 128 years as a hotel) – has been tried, tested, evaluated and cross-examined to be able to offer something extraordinary to its guests.
This magnificent building came into being in 1824 when Sir Edward Barnes was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ceylon after taking up a post in the forces.
Having fallen in love with the picturesque city of Nuwara Eliya, he built his beloved bungalow “Barnes Hall” during the British Raj era, which he later left behind when the British troops departed from Ceylon.
The immaculate property with 114 rooms was converted into a hospital during the time of World War 2 for the recuperation of soldiers who took part in the battle.
With the end of the war and the departure of the soldiers, it was sold to Nonis of the Nuwara Eliya Hotels Co. Ltd. who took ownership in 1891 of what was to later become the illustrious Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.