Sri Lanka Is Ready for Its Close-Up by Conde Nast Traveller

December 14, 2016

 

Andrew Solomon from Conde Nast Traveler  writes,

Just a few short years after the end of its brutal civil war, Sri Lanka—with its rambling temple ruins, leafy tea plantations, and wide golden beaches—is bursting with optimism (but not the crowds).

The shift from peace to war can be famously abrupt, with neighbors turning on one another with little apparent provocation. Placid communities can become bloodbaths in the blink of an eye (Kosovo, Syria). Rebuilding in the wake of a terrible war, by contrast, usually takes decades. But Sri Lanka has managed a rapid shift from some of the most horrific carnage in recent history—a civil war that raged for more than 25 years and produced 100,000 casualties—to a peace that not only unites the country’s previously divided ethnicities but inflects the experience of any visitor to the island.

Out of hotels in Galle, Galle Fort Hotel was a recommended stay from the author.

Read the full Article on the cntraveler.com

On the Lankan Heritage Trail

November 2, 2016

As a centre piece among Galle boutique hotels Galle Fort Hotel was revieweed on Villa 88 magazine, Autumn 2016 issue

In the morning sun, colorful little birds gather for a quick dip in the small, tiled fountain which forms the center of the open courtyard, inside what was formerly an 18th century Dutch mansion. Gigantic pillars create tall shadows in the corridors of the refurbished mansion, while the pale walls and high ceilings offer a sepia-toned throwback to Dutch-era Sri Lanka.

As sunbeams illuminate the ancient doors and windows on the façade of the iconic Galle Fort Hotel, stories from the pages of Sri Lanka’s history come to life. The estate has seen times of strife and turmoil as well as that of prosperity, as it morphed from a princely Dutch mansion to barracks for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II, a post o ce, a bakery, and most recently, a pitch for Galle’s adolescent cricketers, before it was finally refurbished to become The Galle Fort Hotel in 2003.

The boutique hotel offers some unique insights into Sri Lanka’s journey through the ages. For instance, a suite named after a seven-foot tall eunuch, the Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho, commemorates his visit to Galle in 1406. The admiral had halted at Galle en route to an expedition to explore the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific with seven voyages, long before Cristopher Columbus set his anchor down on the sandy shores of Ceylon.

Recipient of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Distinction, The Galle Fort Hotel is a treasure trove of such stories unearthed from history, culture and folklore. The architecture of the renovated estate also reflects more than one style and school of design. While a majority of the boutique hotel retains its Dutch charm, parts of it pay tribute to Sri Lanka’s British heritage as well as its ethnic Sinhalese flavor.

Read the full article on priyankapradhan.com

The Galle Fort Hotel: A Heritage Experience in Sri Lanka

July 26, 2016

Shortly after arriving at the Galle Fort Hotel one of the heritage hotels in Galle, you will be greeted by the most charming General Manager patiently waiting to unveil the history of this previous 18th century Dutch mansion, now beautifully converted into 13 guest rooms surrounding a lush courtyard. While these details are shared countless times, the delivery is heartfelt and filled with genuine enthusiasm. That story is for you, to set the tone for your stay, to imagine life in this special space long ago, and it’s part of the magic of staying in a historical treasure of the Galle Fort Hotel. Please read the interview below with General Manager, David Elgar as he shares his insight on Sri Lanka, the wonderful history of the Galle Fort Hotel, and running this delightful boutique hotel.

Taken from  Tamarind Living

 

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