Historic Galle Fort Hotel reopens inside UNESCO World Heritage site after massive two-year restoration

Sri Lanka’s most iconic heritage hotel, Galle Fort Hotel, reopened on February 23, 2022, after completing an extensive two-year restoration process. Located inside the UNESCO World Heritage Galle Fort, the ultra- luxe boutique hotel is housed in a Dutch mansion that dates back 300 years. The property was once a warehouse and served as the residence of a renowned family of gem merchants during the British era. It was also used as Royal Air Force barracks and even a cricket pitch. The heritage restoration of the Galle Fort Hotel was done, working in line with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Ar- chaeology to ensure that the building’s 300-year-old Dutch walls and facade were conserved as authenti- cally as possible.

In its new look, the Galle Fort Hotel features 11 luxurious suites with varying themes and decor. The Loft Suites have been given an entirely new look inspired by the Dutch East India Company, while the newly in- troduced Garden Suite draws its theme from the illustrations of a Dutch botanist. The Admiral Cheng Ho Suite features a Chinese-inspired decor, to reflect Galle as a historic crossroads of trade, while the entry- level Garden Room stands out with its massive hand painted wall, commissioned to a local artist. Expert restorers were brought in to work with the antiques, which are seen across the hotel and suites.

One of the structural highlights of this property is the stunning Palladian colonnade verandah, which houses the Galle Fort Hotel Bar, with its exclusive selection of gins from across the globe. The adjoining gourmet restaurant is one of the best tables in the Galle Fort and serves up Western fusion cuisine. The architect who has contributed to the different stages of this building’s history is Channa Daswatte, while Sri Lankan interior decorator Eranga Tennakoon has curated the decor, antiques and art within the property.

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