COLOMBO : The 66-key property combines design-led accommodation with destination dining, music and locally curated experiences.
GALLE, Sri Lanka, October 2026: Otherland Hotels has opened its first property, Otherland Galle, introducing a lifestyle hospitality concept that brings together design-led accommodation, destination dining, music and locally curated experiences on Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
Officially opened on 12 October 2026, the 66-key property is located on Matara Road, approximately 400 metres from Dewata Beach and 2.8 kilometres from Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drawing on the region’s surf culture, culinary traditions and creative communities, the hotel is designed to encourage guests to explore the destination beyond conventional sightseeing.
Founded by Rishi Sreedharan, Samarth Gowda and Emanuel Siddhartha in partnership with Beryll Group, Otherland Hotels is built around the philosophy ‘Never the Same Twice’. Its approach places experiences, design and cultural discovery at the centre of hospitality, combining private rooms and suites with shared accommodation and lively communal spaces.
“Otherland Galle should feel like yours from the moment you walk in,” said Co-founder Samarth Gowda. “Luxury has often come with a sense of distance, with places appearing impressive because they do not feel accessible to everyone. That is not what we are building. Everything here is designed around who you are and how you want to spend your time.”
Designed by Studio Camarada, led by Andre Camara, the property features interconnected spaces that move away from the conventional hotel layout. Its interiors draw inspiration from the southern coast, incorporating sandy neutrals, ocean blues, earthy tones, rattan, ash, hand-tufted textiles and marble finishes.
The accommodation comprises 24 Ocean Rooms, 25 Terra Rooms, 12 suites and five dormitories, catering to couples, groups of friends, solo travellers and culturally curious visitors. Rooms range from 27 square metres to a 70-square-metre Patio Suite, with ocean-facing views and vistas across Galle’s mangroves and railway tracks. The property also includes rooms designed for guests with disabilities.
At ground level, Bar-kery serves as the hotel’s reception, coffee shop, bakery, aperitivo counter and informal co-working space. Its Vinyl Corner invites guests to browse records and select their own music, creating a more interactive approach to the traditional hotel lobby. The all-day concept offers coffee, seasonal fruit juices, tea, house-made gelato and cocktails, alongside breakfast dishes influenced by Sri Lankan and international flavours. Colombo Coffee Company has developed an exclusive signature blend for the property.
The rooftop venue, Creatures, combines a restaurant, cocktail bar, infinity pool and music space, with 270-degree views of the Indian Ocean and Galle coastline. During the day, it offers dining, swimming and sundowners before transitioning into an evening social venue featuring curated music and cocktails.
The food programme, led by Chef Rajeev Kumar, draws on Sri Lankan culinary traditions while incorporating international influences and contemporary techniques. Dishes include King Coconut Ceviche, Yellowfin Tuna Tataki, Lankan Fish Cutlets and Devilled Pork Ribs glazed with kithul treacle. Desserts include a Watalappam Brûlée, reinterpreting the traditional coconut and jaggery custard.
The cocktail programme is led by Arijit Bose, whose portfolio includes hospitality concepts in Bengaluru and Goa, while day-to-day operations are managed by Aneesha Thapa. Music forms an equally important part of Creatures, with a Void sound system supporting a programme of resident DJs, live performances and international artist residencies. Weekly sessions span soulful Afro music, R&B, folk, funk, jazz fusion, house, techno and electronica.
Beyond the property, guests can explore The Other Side, Otherland’s experience programme developed in collaboration with local surfers, fishermen, artisans, guides, chefs and musicians. Its offerings range from curry masterclasses and guided walks through Galle Fort to surf lessons at Dewata Beach, whale-watching excursions off Mirissa and kayaking through the mangroves of Koggala Lake. Rooftop sunset sessions, arrack tastings, beach cricket and tuk-tuk bar crawls add a social dimension to the programme.
“At Otherland, curiosity is the operating principle,” said Co-founder Rishi Sreedharan. “We measure success by whether guests leave with a real sense of Galle. The surfers, fishermen, chefs and craftspeople who live here have helped build these experiences, and they are the ones bringing them to life.”
The property’s opening marks the first phase of Otherland Galle’s development, with a gym, wellness centre and banquet facilities planned as part of a subsequent phase.
Through its combination of accommodation, dining, music and community-led experiences, Otherland Galle seeks to offer an alternative to conventional hospitality, positioning the destination itself as an integral part of the guest experience.
