Accommodation Media
Awards
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
The Jury Panel of the 2007 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards
'This carefully considered transformation of an abandoned historic residential compound into a stylish luxury boutique hotel has evocatively captured the spirit of place of the colonial World Heritage fortified town of Galle. The restoration has been carried out with sensitivity to the historic fabric and the surrounding urban context, retaining the buildings modest scale and street façade...the elegant interior design and modern additions have added new layers of meaning.'
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
The Australian 2006
'Top 10 Romantic places to stay in the World'
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
Australian Gourmet Traveller 2006
'Top 20 favourite hotels in the world'
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
Wallpaper - 2006
'Most desirable hotel bed linen in the world'
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
Conde Nast Traveler , 2005
'Best New Hotels of 2005'
 
 
Media Review
Royston Ellis, Sri lanka – the Bradt Travel Guide, second edition , Nov 2009
'Australian film producer Karl Steinberg and Malaysian investment banker Chris Ong are the geniuses behind this enchanting hotel, which they describe as `about passion. It was done with love.’ It also happens to be fun, as well as reasonably priced for what it offers and delivers… It is not necessary to stay at the hotel to enjoy its eccentricities and colonial grace and charm, since there is a bar and veranda café open to non-residents, with exquisite food enhancing the hotel’s appeal to the discerning.'
Lonely Planet , Jan 2009
'Christopher Ong and Karl Steinberg have transformed a derelict 17th century Dutch merchant’s house into a fine boutique hotel. The 14 rooms are all different, with each room’s 'design reflecting the part of the L-shaped structure it occupies. Some have two levels, others stretch across entire floors, and all are very comfortable. Linens are exquisite and there are antiques everywhere. What you won’t find are distractions like TVs – rather, you can enjoy the large courtyard pool and the hospitality of the accommodating owners and staff. The restaurant serves excellent food and the bar is a stylish meeting place.'
Leisa Tyler, Travel & Leisure Magazine , Oct 2008
'Even during monsoon season, when tourism dwindles and many hotels close, the Galle Fort Hotel is still a hive of social activity. Every evening diners relax on the frangipani-scented porch and graze on set menus that include local blue-fin tuna sashimi, sang choi bao, Chinese-style prawns with herbs. It’s an impressive selection for Galle, which lacks good restaurants.'
Channa Daswatte, Sri Lanka Style - Tropical Design & Architecture, pp. 22 , Jan 2006
'….driven by the passion that comes from truly falling in love with a place, and a very good eye for detail…the building has been transformed into a place with immense charm, one that reveals its own history and the eclectic tastes of its owners.'
Emma Boyle, Travel Sri Lanka, Vol 5 No 3
'The Galle Fort Hotel is typical of the Dutch architectural style, despite the fact that it was built on Portuguese foundations and has seen some British influence. As a place of accommodation, therefore, it is perhaps the best example of a colonial building in Galle Fort in which to stay. It is certainly the most romantic. Behind its typically understated façade – at the heart of fashionable Church Street – lies a surprisingly spacious mansion with a magnificently columned courtyard, pretty gardens, spacious veranda and a multitude of airy high-celinged rooms filled with a plethora of colonial antique furniture, precious porcelain, astonishing artefacts and original Sri Lankan works of art.'
Customer Feedback
Feb 20, 2011 : Staff warm and attentive, rooms fabulous.
JJ - New South Wales
May 21, 2010 : Fantastic.
KS - California
Dec 28, 2009 : The hotel was very stylish and nice. The staff were very helpful. We had to change rooms after the second night because of very noisy plumbing but the hotel made for it by giving us a free upgrade. We were glad of this as the garden room was a disappointment after the other rooms we have had and it was more expensive
HB – Wigston
Nov 26, 2009 : Hotel and rooms were very beautiful and the location, inside the Fort, was great. However the hotel and service lacked sopme of the real Sri lankan warmth we saw and experienced in Walawwa, Tea Trails and Aditya.
RH - Herts
Jul 28, 2009 : Beautiful Hotel. Lovely Ambience
RM - Edinburgh
Apr 10, 2009 : A really inspired conversion and great bare in the fort. Staff very attentive, food was excellent
LS – Qatar
Jan 17, 2009 : Very kindly upgraded to avoid many steps. Menu limited and little choice
JL- Burford
Aug 04, 2008 : A beautiful hotel. We loved the swimming pool and courtyard. Great food too
CA - Cheshire
Sep 22, 2007 : The room was beautiful and the service and food was lovely. Fortress: The hotel was very modern and high tech. Rooms really spacious and beds were huge and very comfy. Lacks the charm that, say, Galle Fort and Kandy House have
NH - Twickenham
Aug 24, 2007 : Sitting on the verandah with a house cocktail watching the world go by is the stuff of memories. Karl and Chris are impeccable hosts who have created a friendly, relaxing haven of peace. The food is just fantastic. One of the highlights of our stay.
JE - Bishop Auckland
Feb 12, 2007 : remarkable restoration, great design and atmosphere. Karl, the owner, was very humorous and helpful. Service was a bit slow
MT - Woking

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