The legendary Galle Face Hotel, which opened in 1864 and is the oldest hotel east of Suez, has appointed a new general manager and area vice president as it seeks to re-establish its position as Asia’s most illustrious and historic hotel.

Robert Hauck, a highly skilled and respected hospitality professional with more than 25 years of experience, has been chosen to lead this exquisite heritage hotel into a new era of excellence.

With qualifications from Cornell University and École Hôtelière Montreux, the famous Swiss hospitality school, Hauck has worked for some of the world’s leading hotel groups including Raffles and Shangri-La in an impressive career that has spanned more than ten countries and territories.

Most recently he was general manager of Kanuhura, the luxury resort in the Maldives, which he successfully re-launched following a multi-million-dollar renovation.

At the Galle Face Hotel, he joins illustrious company as the 36th general manager and second German national in the position.

Hauck will now be tasked with restoring the Galle Face Hotel’s status as one of Asia’s most desirable destinations, creating unsurpassed guest experiences that reflect the warmth, culture and elegance of Sri Lankan hospitality.

“The Galle Face Hotel is an iconic property with a rich back story and unrivalled guest list.

“Having recently undergone extensive renovations, we needed an exceptional executive to lead us into a new era.

“Robert is a smart, sophisticated and energetic hotelier with a deep understanding of the hospitality industry, especially in Asia.

“This makes him the perfect person to write the next exciting chapter in our hotel’s illustrious history,” commented Sanjeev Gardiner, the hotel’s owner.

Unique in Asia’s hospitality industry, the Galle Face Hotel has been owned by a single family for more than a century.

It is also passionately independent, having repeatedly resisted approaches from many top international hotel brands.

Since it opened 154 years ago, this hospitality landmark has hosted some of the world’s most famous figures, including Che Guevara, Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Vivian Leigh, Roger Moore, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Carrie Fisher and Anthony Bourdain.