Closenberg Hotel

We visited Closenburg Hotel to celebrate my birthday with two close friends, and it turned out to be a truly memorable evening. 🥂🎂 The staff were warm and friendly, making us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. The view was absolutely stunning, adding a magical touch to our celebration. 🌊🌅 What caught our eyes most were the beautiful bougainvillea plants blooming all around, adding vibrant color and charm to the hotel’s atmosphere. 🌸💖 Dinner was delightful — the food was simply amazing, perfectly complementing the overall experience. 🍴✨ A wonderful spot for special moments, relaxation, and breathtaking views. Highly recommended! 🌟

I had a great stay at this hotel! The facilities are excellent and well-maintained. My room was spotless and very comfortable, and the bathroom was also exceptionally clean. The surrounding area is beautiful and peaceful, which made my stay even more enjoyable. The staff were all very friendly and helpful, making me feel welcome throughout my visit. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a relaxing and pleasant experience. Thank you ❤️

Very outdated hotel. Needs some attention overall. |The views are lovely across the ocean and then you step into a room that’s not clean and water brown. Our AC didn’t cool the room, we were offered a second room that’s smelt like petroleum. The breakfast choices limited buffet and evening meals not a huge choice. Recommend jumping into a Tuk Tuk and heading to the streets. |Staff lovely. |Pool beautiful and salty.

Closenberg was the perfect location for our wedding photoshoot. The breathtaking sea views, charming antique architecture, and timeless atmosphere gave our photos a truly romantic and elegant feel. Every corner had a unique, vintage character that added so much depth and beauty to our memories. We’re so happy we chose this stunning location.. it brought our vision to life in the most magical way! 🫶🏻

I've found my absolute favorite hotel in Sri Lanka - the Closenberg Hotel in Galle. This place embodies everything I love about old world charm and hospitality. Built in 1861 by Captain Francis Bayley originally as 'Villa Marina', it was converted into a hotel in 1965 by the Abeywardena family, and you can feel that rich history in every corner. What makes Closenberg so special is how lovingly maintained it is. The rooms are spacious and spotless, with incredibly comfortable beds that made for the best sleep I've had in months. But the real magic happens when you wake up to those stunning ocean views - the hotel sits on what was originally a small island promontory on the southern side of Galle bay, so you're literally perched on a cliff overlooking the entire bay. Falling asleep to the sound of waves below was pure bliss. The architecture is fascinating - you can see the maritime influence in the design, and the walls are filled with old photographs and artwork that tell the story of this remarkable place. The house cats that wander around add such a homey touch, always ready to say hello and make you feel welcome. The service is exceptional without being fussy, and the food is both excellent and generous. Everything about Closenberg feels authentic and carefully preserved rather than artificially restored for tourists. It's that perfect combination of heritage, comfort, and genuine warmth that makes it impossible not to fall in love with. This is exactly what a boutique heritage hotel should be.

Last Visit May 2025. Absolutely awesome location. Overlooking the bay and the surrounding mountain where you can actually see the Jungle beach. Ideal for weddings or events. Building is super old so is the road leading upto it. Amazing garden and staff is very friendly. Did not stay in the rooms so no comments.

We had such a great time staying at Closenberg Hotel! It’s a beautiful old place with so much character and history—you can really feel it as soon as you walk in. The pool is amazing, with one of the best ocean views we’ve ever seen, and there’s always a great playlist playing in the background that adds to the vibe. Rooms has a balcony and its own little access to the pool, which is super convenient. It’s also really close to the beach, perfect if you’re learning to surf or into longboarding. The waves are chill and great for beginners. And of course it’s perfect for children. Breakfast was delicious—traditional Sri Lankan and really tasty. The staff were all so friendly and welcoming, they made us feel right at home. We even celebrated our daughter’s birthday there, and they helped make it really special. There’s a nice garden area to relax in, and everything you might need is within walking distance—shops, cafes, the beach. Plus, it’s just a short ride to Galle, which is such a cool town to explore. All in all, Closenberg is forever in our heart, charming place with good people, amazing views, and the perfect mix of beach and history. We can’t wait to come back!

A place where history meets utter neglect. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to pay for the privilege of being treated like an inconvenience, this is your spot! From the moment we arrived, the staff made it painfully clear that our presence was a burden. Hospitality? Never heard of it. A simple ‘good night’ was apparently too much effort for them, but they did manage to slam the dishes onto the table with impressive hostility. Five stars for passive-aggressive service! Cleanliness? A delightful horror show. Dead insects inside the bedsheets, filthy balconies, and a garden that looks like it’s been abandoned since the British left. No toilet paper, no working showers, barely any drinking water—because who needs basic amenities when you can have historical vibes instead? The food? Oh, the English breakfast was a masterpiece of deception. A few pieces of fruit and an omelet—because why bother serving an actual meal when you can just redefine what ‘breakfast’ means? To be fair, the bartender was friendly, and the stray cats were adorable—probably because they’re the only ones not on the hotel’s payroll. It’s tragic, really. This place has so much potential, but the management and staff seem dedicated to running it into the ground. If you’re into historical sites but prefer to actually enjoy your stay, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.