We recently completed a four-nights stay at the Galle Fort Hotel at the conclusion of a three-week holiday in Sri Lanka. The hotel far exceeded all of our expectations on all fronts: a spectacular renovation of a hundreds-year old Dutch home, with large rooms, the best beds we experienced in the country, luxurious bath, etc.: it gives one an idea of what can be done with an ancient building to retain and enhance the atmosphere and create a special environment (and there are lots of such places ripe for renovation in the Fort -- very tempting!). Our room -- larger than our apartment at home -- was spotlessly clean, wonderfully air-conditioned (a welcome from the heat of the town), and perfectly serviced. We had laundry done twice during out stay: immaculately finished in less than a day, and a very low cost.
The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool in its central courtyard, which we used daily. The land space limits its length, but one can easily get one's "laps" done with a bit of back-and-forth. Even having a pool in this environment is a stunning accomplishment!
The staff were terrific and very welcoming, beginning with co-owner Karl Sternberg and manager Ewan Taylor who have put together and maintain an outstanding, experienced and friendly local staff. We enjoyed learning from them about the town, some of its activities (and residents) and about the entire experience of building an maintaining the establishment over the past years. The staff were ready with recommendations on "what to do" if needed, and can arrange for local excursions.
We found the restaurant in the hotel outstanding for breakfast, lunch and dinner: a type of fusion cuisine between Asian (not just Sri Lankan) and Western cooking -- excellently prepared, nicely presented and good value, including the wine list. This was, for us, most welcomed after three weeks of rice-and-curry throughout the country which we liked everywhere, but of which we were beginning to tire a bit. There are other places to eat in the Fort and in Galle more generally, but no real reason to venture out from the hotel and lots of reasons to remain there for meals. Dining on the terrace was great and drinks on the front veranda bar were a pleasure.
Galle Fort and Galle (don't miss the old Dutch vegetable market and fruit markets, the beachs, the view from the Peach Pagoda) are special places indeed, well deserving of their renown and different categorically from the rest of the country. The Galle Fort Hotel is a perfect base from which to explore the area. This stay was one of the top one or two highlights of our trip to a country with many cultural, scenic and hospitality highlights. We commend the owners and staff for their accomplishments and recommend the Galle Fort Hotel to any traveller who is interested in a fascinating and unique boutique hotel experience.
Stephen & Andrew
