The Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo can host conferences, board meetings, award ceremonies, weddings and receptions in four banquet halls, the largest taking up to 1,000 guests in theatre layout. It stands at 2 York Street in Colombo 01, above the harbour.
Seminars and company events
The hotel sells its halls for conferences, board meetings, award ceremonies and corporate events. Each hall has audio-visual equipment, Wi-Fi and seating that can be rearranged, and an in-house events team handles catering and technical support. Organisers can combine a meeting with a stay in the hotel's suites, so delegates sleep where they work.
Weddings and receptions
The same halls host weddings, birthday celebrations, get-togethers, DJ nights and photo or video shoots. The Lotus Ballroom is the natural choice for a large reception, with a fixed stage and a wooden floor. The Rainbow Room suits a mid-sized banquet or a ceremony with a performance, thanks to its separate buffet area and stage.
Rooms and capacities
The hotel states four banquet halls and publishes details for two of them.
The Lotus Ballroom covers 6,336 square feet and has a stage measuring 20 by 29 feet. It takes 1,000 guests in theatre layout, 800 for a cocktail, 350 at banquet tables and 250 in classroom style.
The Rainbow Room covers 4,224 square feet, with a stage about 17.5 feet wide, a separate buffet area and ornate pillars. It takes 250 in theatre layout, 400 for a cocktail, 180 at banquet tables, 130 in classroom style and 50 in a U-shape.
Ask the events team for the other two halls and for the layouts available on your date.
Accommodation
Guests stay in the hotel itself, which offers deluxe rooms on the upper floors and suites, several with harbour or city views. Booking the rooms together with a hall keeps a group in one building. Confirm the number of bedrooms available for your dates with the hotel.
Catering
Catering options are arranged by the events team for each function. The hotel also runs its own restaurants and a harbour-view bar. Ask which menus and formats apply to your hall and group size.
History and setting
The site began in 1837 as a military barracks and became the Grand Oriental Hotel in 1875, under Governor Robert Horton, with architectural guidance from J. M. Smither. The building overlooks the harbour in the business district of Colombo, close to the port. That position suits delegates arriving by sea or from the city offices around the Fort area.
Getting there
The hotel is at 2 York Street, Colombo 01. Colombo Fort railway station is a short distance away. Bandaranaike International Airport lies north of the city; ask the hotel about transfers for your group.
