The Fort Bazaar is a stylish boutique hotel, set within the ramparts of the historic Dutch Galle Fort, on Sri Lanka’s southwestern coast. Situated on Church Street, one of the Fort’s photogenic cobblestone thoroughfares, this 17th-Century townhouse was once a former merchant’s mansion. Now fully renovated, it effortlessly blends contemporary and Moorish style with a sense of history of the place that was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th-century.
Colonial chic and modern, The Fort Bazaar houses just 18 rooms and suites. All are spacious and contemporary in design; four-poster beds, eye-catching floor tiles, ethnic mosaic cushions and pendant lamps. Standard rooms flank a convivial flagstone patio whilst roomy suites are on an upper floor. Hidden around the corner is a luxurious spa, a 10-seater cinema and a surprisingly large pool with a sun-dappled timber deck - all perfect for post-sightseeing relaxation.
Dining is at The Church Street Social restaurant located at the front of the hotel. Considered as one of the best on the south coast, it attracts walkins but guests at The Fort Bazaar can opt to eat in the courtyard in privacy. Day routine generally includes a walking tour of Galle Fort and a stroll through its narrow lanes lined with boutique shops. Cricket fans can take a tour of Galle’s international test cricket ground or visit the nearby beaches for a surf or a swim.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomFitness CentreGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableStay The Fort Bazaar has just 18 rooms and suites. The 15 Bazaar and Banyan rooms are set around a two-storey, central courtyard behind the main house and further three incredibly spacious, Upper Suites in the original building with high ceilings, seating area and private balconies overlooking the rooftops of the fort. All rooms and suites have Balinese four-poster beds, contemporary Scandi-style furnishings, coffee machines and ensuite modern bathrooms.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at The Fort Bazaar. The Upper Family Suites are spacious and have all the perks, plus an additional loft space for kids. Some rooms can be interconnecting and are also ideal for families.
Dine Church Street Social is the main all-day restaurant at The Fort Bazaar attracting both in-house guests and walk-ins. Its menu draws its inspiration from its local and historic Middle Eastern influencers. Expect tapas, 16-hour slow-cooked lamb, zesty tagines, rustic family-style sharing seafood platters and Sri Lanka’s traditional cuisine. In-house guests can dine in the air-conditioned dining room, which is also open to the general public, or more privately in the courtyard or beside the pool.
Relax Facilities at The Fort Bazaar include a small Z spa, an inviting swimming pool tucked on a terrace under a shady jackfruit tree as well as a small cinema room. The Upper Terrace with is Moorish inspired lamps and cushions is the perfect place for a pre-or post-dinner cocktail. There is also a beautiful courtyard where you can have your meals in complete privacy or relax during the day with a book.
Experience According to UNESCO, Galle Fort is one of the best examples of a European-built fortified city in the whole of south and Southeast Asia. Situated within the ramparts of the fort, guests at The Fort Bazaar can easily tour its historical buildings and explore low-rise streets lined with Dutch and British colonial villas. For something more active, opt for a bicycle ride around the local area or ride the ‘Iron Devil’ or Yakada Yaka steam train across the 30-metre high, Nine Skies bridge.
Location The Fort Bazaar is set in Galle's historic fort, a Unesco World Heritage site, about 3-4 hours from Colombo in Sri Lanka.
Getting there Fly to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. From Colombo airport it takes approximately 3-hours to drive to The Fort Bazaar.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. There are two monsoon seasons but they only bring rain to the west and south-west coasts from May to September; and the east coast and northern region between October and February. The rest of the year is sunny and dry but the months of December to April are probably the best time to visit. Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have an average temperature of 27°C.
Destination
West & South, Sri Lanka
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