The Fort Printers is a charming boutique hotel, set at the heart of Galle, on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. The mansion traces its origin to the Dutch period but substantial additions were made in the English era after 1796, including high ceilings and large windows. Over the last two centuries it housed a college and then a printing company. Now fully refurbished, it provides a comfortable base for travellers from which to explore the Galle Fort, its surrounding countryside and beaches.
Small, private and elegant, The Fort Printers has just 13 rooms. The ten suites in the original building feature a mix of colonial and South Asian design with whitewashed walls, shuttered windows, daybeds, antique writing desks and silk furnishings. While three rooms are set in two newly built heritage villas and are more contemporary in design. The top end Headmaster Suite offers charming views of the fort’s lighthouse even while lying in your day bed.
The English-speaking staff at The Fort Printers will happily take guests for a nostalgic spin in the hotel’s 1945 Morris Minor. There is much to do in Galle and the surrounds; explore the 17th-century Dutch Fort, visit the Maritime Archaeology Museum and explore the boutique shops down its narrow lanes. Activity enthusiasts can go surfing or scuba diving at the nearby Unawatuna beach or further to Mirissa for seasonal whale and dolphin watching excursions.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomFitness CentreGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableStay The Fort Printers features just 13 rooms. These are spread out between the main building, where rooms are more traditional in style, featuring hard wood polished floors and exposed beams, while those in the two new villas have a more contemporary feel. Bedrooms have king-size beds on raised platforms, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and tea/coffee facility. The ensuite bathrooms have hot and cold showers, quality toiletries and some have bathtubs.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at The Fort Printers, but there are no specific facilities available for children. The small number of suites in each building means the place can be hired by the family and enjoy much privacy.
Dine Dining at The Fort Printers is a gourmet affair. It was owner Shahzad's original idea to open a restaurant and the passion is visible in the daily changing menu comprising of Sri Lankan curries, fresh seafood and Mediterranean-inspired meals. The chef bakes wonderful bread and croissants for breakfast. Lunches can be tapas and soups and typical dinner may include seared tuna with capsicum, citrus risotto with garlic prawns and couscous stew with calamari.
Relax There is a small terrace area to the rear The Fort Printers which boasts a slim but swim- worthy pool for those wanting to cool off post-sightseeing of the fort and surrounds. Guests can book an in-suite Swedish or Ayurvedic massage or relax in the library while lazing in the hammock
Experience Guests at The Fort Printers are perfectly placed to explore the Dutch Galle Fort, a UNESCO heritage site. Visit the National Museum on Church Street which has a small collection of Dutch and Singhalese artefacts and see the fully restored Dutch Reformed Church. For an insight into Sri Lankan religious life, visit the Buddhist Temple on Rampart Street or head to Unawatuna (4km from Galle) for surfing, diving or sundowners on its sandy beaches.
Location The Fort Printers is located inside Sri Lanka's historic UNESCO-listed fortress port of Galle.
Getting there Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is the sole international airport in Sri Lanka and is located about 30km north of the city. Travel time between the airport and Galle takes about 3-hours. Alternatively, Sri Lankan Airlines runs a daily Airtaxi service from Colombo to Koggala airstrip, a 25-minute drive from Galle
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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