Oct 27 2016.
views 654Brimming with history, the Galle Fort Hotel (GFH) is an iconic luxury boutique hotel found inside the Galle Fort. With foundations laid down almost 300 years ago, the hotel was originally a Dutch mansion and thus boasts architectural designs from the era.
The Hotel was rescued and renovated from its neglected state in 2003 earning it the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Distinction in 2007. Since then, the hotel and its historical architecture and interior have been well conserved to the present day.
This year, GFH was the recipient of two international awards.
At the 2016 World Travel Award, the GFH received the title of Sri Lanka’s Leading Boutique Hotel for 2016. Based on a global voting process the Award is recognition of a hotels excellence across all key sectors of travel tourism.
The hotel was also a category winner at the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards which is a much coveted award by many luxury hotels as it is considered to be the ultimate achievement by any property in the luxury hospitality industry.
“We are thrilled with these two awards. We consider our staff to be our most important asset” says the Director of GFH’s Managing Company, Maitland and Knox, Mr. Amrit Ratnayake. “They are some of the best in the island and are a vital reason behind our success.”
About the Galle Fort Hotel
The hotel has 14 rooms in total with each room having its own unique design. The Loft Suites are located on the upper floor while the Garden Rooms offer easy access to the courtyard and pool. The Library Suite is a perfect family suite at 40 feet and its furniture is made from the finest tiger satinwood and king ebony. The Porcelain suite stands as tribute to the priceless 19th century Chinese porcelain plates as it adorns one of the room’s walls. The Grand Apartment features twin suites that can be booked separately or together with a shared lounge.
Each room at the GFH is full of character and bears some form of resemblance to the hotel’s grand history.
It’s not just the rooms in GFH that are of historical value. Nearly every monument and furniture scattered across the hotel are of significance.
Food
As for dining options, the hotel has both a restaurant and a café open to both in-house guests and others. In keeping to its luxury standards, the food at the GFH is above par.
For mains, we had their seafood platter which was a full plate of crispy fried calamari, jumbo prawns, fish and baked crab. Artistically presented, the platter didn’t disappoint.
We were served their coconut mousse and signature lychee and coconut sorbet for dessert. The mousse had a rich consistency and the home made sorbet was flavoursome.
Each dish showed skill and effort in terms of presentation, taste and flavour. Lunch was an absolute culinary delight!
Other Facilities
Aside from its stunning accommodation, the hotel has a large courtyard with a swimming pool and a state of the art bar area.
Today, the Galle Fort Hotel stands at the centre of Galle’s vibrant culture and rich history and continues to offer guests excellent service, gourmet food and a comfortable stay in its unique accommodation.
Congratulations to the managing company, Maitland and Knox, and all at the Galle Fort Hotel for their great achievement!
Photographs by Kithsiri de Mel
1 Comments
FRANÇOIS-PRINS. says:
Feb 28, 2017 at 05:40 amATTENDED LUCY & ALBERT PAGE'S WEDDING AS A CHILD. WENT WITH MY FAMILY MANY TIMES FOR MEALS OR FUNTIONS. SINCE 1984 I HAVE STAYED HERE EVERY TIME I VISIT. MY FAVORITE HOTEL/HOME LOVE ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS WHILE KEEPING THE TRADITIONAL PARTS WITH THE FAMOUS GALLE FACE HOSPITALITY CONVEYED BY EVERY MEMBER OF STAFF TO EVERY VISITOR. PLAN TO SPEND NEW YEAR'S NIGHT HERE.