As a key building located in the centre of the Fort the mansion has had a varied past. Over the last two centuries, it has housed Mahinda College, a famous institution of higher Buddhist learning, the Bank of Ceylon and Galle's first ever printing press.

There are 5 double bedrooms all named after academic subjects to echo the building's former incarnation. 4 of the rooms (Headmaster's, History, Geography and Art) are on the first floor encased by a beautiful shuttered wooden veranda and the fifth (Prefect's) is on the ground floor directly next to the pool.

We stayed in Prefect's which was lovely and the only suite that comes with a roll top bath. However, the upstairs rooms have a definite charm thanks to their uneven wooden floor boards and old fashioned sash windows.

The communal living spaces are also delightful, well appointed with deep sofas and alcoved seats, high ceilings and original teak windows which look out onto white frangipani trees in the internal courtyard. The windows to the front of the property look out onto a private gallery over the top of which you can just about make out passing cars. This really adds to the unique and wonderful cosmopolitan flavour of the Fort.

In the center of the internal courtyard there is a small pool and an alfresco dinning area. What this area lacks in space it certainly makes up for in charm. The Fort's Moorish influences really shine through in this section of the hotel, to the point where one could easily mistake it for a Moroccan Raid.

Fort Printers offers an imaginative menu that uses fresh seafood and organic, local produce. Two dedicated chefs plan the menu for the day based on guests’ preferences and produce outstanding Sri Lankan curries, grilled fresh seafood and Mediterranean inspired specialties. We can honestly say that the food we tasted at Fort Printers was among the best on the island.

The Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a beautiful, peaceful place to explore. Start with a sunset walk around the fort walls - 2.5km in all - greeting the jogging Sri Lankans as you go. Later, wander around the cobbled, labyrinth-like streets for a real insight into life here and a mooch in the Fort's great array of boutique gift shops and antique dealers.

Alternatively, head to the nearby beaches, where the marine life is said to rival that of the Great Barrier Reef or travel inland for a look at a traditional sri lankan village, local crafts and beautiful temples. Trips to Yala National Park for a leopard & elephant safari are also possible, as well as excursions to the Rainforest, gem mines and low lying tea plantations.

Key Features:

A/C Ensuite Bedrooms
Swimmingpool
Wifi
Restaurant
Library

"A beautiful boutique hotel. We had it all for ourselves for 3 days which was perfect timing to see Galle and surroundings." (HS - December 2010)