Galle Fort Hotel featured on Condé Nast Traveller

August 4, 2017

Part Ian Schrager, part Somerset Maugham, this 12-room hotel is in a seventeenth-century Dutch merchant’s house in the heart of Sri Lanka’s historic, now-hip Galle Fort. Owners Karl Steinberg and Christopher Ong, exacting guests themselves, have trained the young staff to abandon Oriental bows in favor of genuinely great service—plumbing problems were resolved on the spot, and meals were served in record time. Ong oversees a daily menu of Asian favorites that draws deserved raves from across the island, particularly a kung pao chicken that elevates the take-out classic to haute cuisine. Dutch antiques fill the rooms, no two of which are alike. A spa suite provides Thai massages that match Bangkok’s finest, but guests must come prepared for occasional power failures (although the hotel’s generator kicks in quickly).

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Travel in 2017: Top 5 Places to Visit this Year

February 9, 2017

Galle Fort hotel one of the unique hotels in Galle was mentioned in the latest article by sassyhongkong.com  where they have mentioned Sri Lanka as one of the five places to visit in 2017.

If golden beaches, magical mountain vistas, rich wildlife, and exotic cuisine sound like paradise, Sri Lanka might just be the place to steal your heart! Nature lovers will delight in the lush landscapes of tea plantations, nature trails, caves, and lakes, while history buffs can explore a myriad of age-old cultural heritage sites, including 300 year old Galle Fort, one of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bring your camera because there’s plenty to ‘gram from wild elephants and ancient temples to whale watching to vibrant tropical fruit.

Read the full article on www.sassyhongkong.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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