Top 10 Boutique Hotels In Sri Lanka by theculturetrip.com

November 30, 2016

 

The Culture Trip’s  A. J. Samuels writes,

From Portuguese to Dutch to British colonizations, Sri Lanka has a turbulent and colourful history that has left cultural and architectural traces. Religion and ethnicity is just as varied and the combination of these ingredients creates a cultural concoction not easily forgotten. Its tea plantations, rice paddies, cloud forests and beaches provide a beautiful and ever-changing backdrop; views which visitors can enjoy from our top ten hotels in Sri Lanka.

“Galle Fort is a historical town fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. Known for its architectural and archeological significance, the town is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Situated relatively nearby is this quaint hotel which was awarded the title of Sri Lanka’s leading boutique hotel in 2010 and 2016. The rooms are designed with a flare for the modern crossed with authentic and romantic Sri Lankan design undertones. Close to the beauty of the beaches and the history of the town, Galle Fort Hotel is a luxurious and relaxing place from which to enjoy Sri Lanka’s cultural spectrum.”

Read the full article on theculturetrip.com

A walk around Sri Lanka’s Galle Fort

October 16, 2016

They don’t call us for having one or more of the best restaurants in Galle for nothing.

Where to eat and drink on your day in Galle

The superb Galle Fort Hotel’s memorable courtyard provides a suitably stylish home for Sri Lanka’s best fusion cuisine, full of bright, strong flavours. There’s also a snack menu at lunchtime, homemade cakes in the afternoon and fine coffee.

For the full article read Insight Guides

Herschel Supply features Galle Fort Hotel

June 10, 2016

Extracted from Herschel Supply Co. Stories

At the heart of the Fort, the magnificent Galle Fort Hotel a luxury boutique hotel holds centuries of history between its walls. Originally a Dutch mansion, it was taken over by gem merchants during the British reign, then restored and renovated into a luxury boutique hotel in 2003. Awarded the Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Distinction by the UNESCO, the hotel remains a model of preservation for all the other businesses in the city.

Galle Fort Hotel : A Hidden Gem

August 11, 2014

Reviewed on national newspaper The Sunday Leader 

Tucked away in the UNESCO world heritage site of the Galle Fort is the recipient of 2007 Award of Distinction for Heritage Conservation, the Galle Fort Hotel a colonial hotel in Galle. A brainchild of Australian Karl Steinberg, the hotel has been welcoming guests for the past 10 years.  Since November 2011, it is under the Lankem Group of Companies.

The 12 room property on Church Street boasts a rich history dating back to 1695, a little younger than the key landmark in which it resides, the fortress of Galle, built by the Dutch East India Company in 1663. The property was once the home to one of the most prestigious gem merchant families in Asia, the Macan Markers, famed for their sapphire collection including the 182 carat “star of Bombay” now in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

The property which ceased to be a private residence in the latter stages of the first half of the 20th century and post independence (1948), spent time, among other identities, as a bakery as well as the Fort Post Office.

Following its restoration the hotel opened its doors in November 2004, just weeks before the Boxing Day Tsunami. In the immediate aftermath of this tragic event The Galle Fort Hotel was a centre of operations for NGOs, journalists and other organisations as well as providing support to the surviving victims

Today the hotel is a collection of buildings from different periods, testament to its prominence through the ages, each reflecting different architectural styles.

The heritage wing, dates to the early 18th century, houses a range of suites each with a unique character. For example, the Admiral Cheng Ho Suite, or ACH as the guests refer to, commemorates the great Chinese explorer who paid several visits to Galle, the first in 1405. The Porcelain Suite has a display of antique Chinese ceramics between the bathroom and bedroom and original Dutch period 9m (30 ft) ceilings.

There are other antiques on display in the other guest rooms as well as the public areas of the hotel. These are all part and parcel of this boutique heritage hotel and add to its charm and character.

The hotel has maintained an enviable reputation for food in its short history, even with the current interest in the Fort due to the increasing range of cafes and restaurants. The hotel offer from casual lunch time cafe menu and tapas bar menu to the fine dining Asian fusion set dinners, well catering for both foreign and local guests. The bar has a full range of drinks including an extensive wine and cocktail list. The restaurant and bar are open to the public daily from 12pm.

The newly revamped page of the Galle Fort Hotel can be found on Facebook

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