The Fort Printers

Rooms

There are 10 suites in the main building (five Heritage Suites, and five Church Street Suites accessed through the pool courtyard), and a further three in the 65 Pedlar Street Villa, 5 minutes walk away in a separate heritage building in a small quiet street.

The five Heritage Suites have the most character. Upstairs a wide shuttered gallery leads to four of these former college rooms. Arts, Headmaster's, Geography and History are light and airy, thanks to high-beamed ceilings and large windows, looking out over Galle rooftops. Beds are either four-posters or on raised platforms covered with bedspreads and cushions. The Headmaster's overlooks the pool and has views of Galle lighthouse as well as a cosy seating area with daybeds – perfect for children. History, where we stayed on our most recent visit, has views over the rooftops to the mosque. The Prefect’s Suite is downstairs in the courtyard and has a large, modern bathroom with a bathtub (the others have showers only).

Church Street Suites have a modern but classic style with muslin-draped four-poster beds and clean lines. Their bathrooms are particularly luxurious with walk-in showers and freestanding bathtubs. They share a communal living and dining space, and are set around a central courtyard; guests can move freely between the communal spaces of both sections of the hotel, including taking meals in the restaurant.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Central heating
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

The food here is a bit different, the daily menu showcases Moroccan-inspired dishes. Fresh local ingredients are key and the food served (either in the dining room, by the courtyard pool, or on the small veranda) is healthy, colourful and well presented. It was owner Shahzad's original idea to open a restaurant, so guests benefit from his passion.

There's an all-day menu served until 5pm – think beetroot gazpacho, lamb tacos and roasted pumpkin soup. Typical set menu dinner (6.30-10pm) dishes include tuna with Moroccan spices, Chermoula grilled prawns and seven vegetable couscous or calamari tagine, as well as imaginative small plates and soups, such as green gazpacho with pomegranate seeds and coriander. While the savouries are tasty and low-fat, the desserts are sinful – slabs of rich flourless chocolate cake and pavlova. The wine – mainly reasonably priced options from Australia – is also good, and the cocktails are superb – there's an extensive menu to choose from.

Breakfast is a la carte. Start with croissants, house made granola with buffalo curd, fresh fruit smoothies, mango lassi or chia seeds, and move on to eggs cooked your way, avocado toast, courgette fritters or Moroccan eggs.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Kids' meals
• Lunch by arrangement
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a beautiful and really intriguing place to explore. Don’t miss a sunrise (or sunset) stroll around the walls (2.5km)
  
• Wander around the Fort's cobbled, labyrinth-like streets; the National Museum on Church Street has a small collection of Dutch and Singhalese artifacts and there is a fully restored Dutch Reformed Church
  
• Visit the working Buddhist Temple on Rampart Street to gain an insight into Sri Lankan religious life
  
• Browse the small boutiques and art galleries: Start at Ibrahim Jeweller's for unusual necklaces, belt buckles and made-to-order rings; move on to Mimimango for clothes with tropical glamour; and try KK Boutique for stylish homeware. We also liked The Galle Fort Art Gallery just round the corner
  
• If you want to spend some time by the beach, head to Unawatuna (4km from Galle) for sundowners on the sand or visit trendy Weijia to socialise with eccentric expats
  
• Book an in-suite Swedish or Ayurvedic massage or work your way through the library

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures

Kids

Children are very welcome by prior arrangement. There are no accommodation charges for children under 12 years old sharing a room with their parents. Note that there are no twin beds.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The Heritage Suite Headmaster's has daybeds which are comfortable for two children. Futons or mattress beds can be supplied in all other rooms; the large poolside Heritage Suite Prefect's is most suitable for this. Otherwise three of the Church Street Suites can be made up as triples, families of four should book adjacent Church Street Suites.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 2h15m
• Hospital: 6 minutes
• Shops: 1 minute

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Fort Printers is set in Galle Fort in Galle, on the south west coast of Sri Lanka.

By Air
Colombo Bandaranaike International (150km away) is the closest airport – click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.

From the Airport
It takes about 2 hours by car to reach Galle from Colombo; if your flight arrives in daylight hours you may wish to make your way on the slow but scenic train. If coming from Kandy allow a long day's drive. The Fort Printers can arrange airport transfers – see Rates.

Alternatively, you can catch the Sri Lankan Airlines air taxi service to Koggala Lake, where you can pick up a taxi to Galle.

Getting around
Staff can arrange a tuk-tuk or a car with a driver for day trips.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.