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Sri Lankan CultureGalle Fort Hotel reviewed by THE TELEGRAPH
August 4, 2017
“In the centre of Galle Old Town the hotel is ringed by colonial buildings, restaurants, well-preserved ramparts and a crescent of coastline, combining the sophistication of a boutique hotel with the easygoing atmosphere of a private retreat. Not the cheapest option in town, but laden with charm.”
Here in spades. A former gem merchant’s mansion, the hotel’s small number of rooms overlook a central, colonnaded courtyard with a pool and garden flush with blossom. Immaculately restored, the property feels more like a private residence than a standard hotel – its owners have done well to create a space that’s welcoming, soothing and special.
Read the full review on The Telegraph
Travel in 2017: Top 5 Places to Visit this Year
February 9, 2017Galle 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
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
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
On the Lankan Heritage Trail
November 2, 2016As 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
A walk around Sri Lanka’s Galle Fort
October 16, 2016They 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
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.
