Name: Galle Fort
Address: Church Street, 28, Galle, LK

8/10

Excellent

21 Dec 2025

FEDOR E VAN

The room was clean but small. It was a bit noisy, due to the wooden ceilings, stairs and rooms above.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Dec 2025

John

Huge characterful and comfortable room in the converted old building.
Very well located in the Fort area.
Staff and service were very good.
Nice bar area and cocktail menu. We didn't use the restaurant except for breakfast (which was OK but basic).
In the library suite there is a huge bathtub (advised on arrival beyond the capability of hot water supply to fill) as well as a good shower.
There is a slight privacy issue with this suite, seating in the restaurant area is the other side of the bathroom wall with an auditory implication.
Swimming pool is cute, probably best for use by the suites on the ground floor adjoining it.
Side note to the hotel, there could be better occasional lighting options (we had to move the bedside lamps around).
Overall, despite the small notes, a 5 star stay and excellent value for money.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2025

Olivia

We absolutely loved our stay at Galle Fort Hotel. It was a beautiful property in the middle of the fort town which had lots of restaurants and shops. The hotel itself was unbelievably beautiful and felt very luxurious. The staff were so attentive and kind. The breakfast was my favorite I’ve ever had at a hotel! Beautiful fruit and delicious cooked food. Cannot recommend enough! We will be back.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jul 2025

Carl

Great stay in the Fort

Very much enjoyed my stay at the Galle Fort Hotel. Beautiful rooms, highly attentive staff, great food and drinks.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2024

Dana

Loves the hotel, room, staff, bar and restaurant. Perfect stay!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Nov 2024

Julie

The Galle Fort Hotel is a truly lovely boutique property set within the walls of Galle Fort. We stayed in the Grand Apartment room which was gorgeous with fabulous furnishings. The Bar and lounge areas are both lovely and the pool, loved the tiling, was a must to cool off. Breakfast was included in our rate and it was great, wasn't keen on their coffee bean but other than that faultless.

All of the Staff are lovely however Shalimar stood out he was always there when needed, extremely helpful and a great character.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2024

vishnu

Xt

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2024

Dawn

Great food, service, and pool.

The hotel was spotless, the staff friendly and helpful. Try the coconut pancakes or the arrack drinks from the bar. Absolutely delicious! The pool was wonderful and very clean.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Mar 2024

Suresh

Amazing location, staff, and service....don't miss!

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

06 Jul 2023

Ahmed

Beautiful property, but mediocre service

This property is architecturally brilliant. It's a wonderful and thoughtful conversion of a historic building into comfortable hotel rooms. but the hotel service is quite poor. I think it's a government-run hotel and it shows. Many of the staff are not well-trained, and do not seem to have much of a hospitality background. As one example, I sat down for breakfast, ordered quickly, and immediately explained that we needed to catch a flight, so we were in the rush. We didn't get our main food after 35-40 minutes of waiting. And it wasn't just me asking: all the staff could clearly observe that I rushed to get my suitcases down AFTER ordering food. But it did not seem to matter to them. I explained to both front desk staff and restaurant staff that we were risking missing our flight, and that they could just give us everything in a takeaway box. They first agreed, but then came out and said that it would take another 15 minutes to get ready. So we just left not eating the breakfast we had paid for. The staff explained that because there was one other table (who sat down after us), they were overwhelmed. Two tables (6 people total) somehow overwhelmed their cooking capacity.

The check-in process at this hotel was quite good. The service quality here is such that if you are paying around $100-$120, this is a fine hotel. If you are going above that, then Galle offers other better-run hotels.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

03 Jun 2022

Celine

I got food poisoned from the food there. They were the last stop and restaurant i dined at. I have been at a hospital for two days with a stomach infection from the burger I had the last night at Galle Fort hotel. Terrible. I have been extremely sick since. Will not recommend whatsoever!

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

09 Mar 2020

Anthony

Two night stay

Positives: location, walkable to all that old Galle Fort has to offer. Interesting history of the hotel itself. Pool to cool off in . Room was large. Bed was comfortable. Breakfast was great (did not eat any other meals here)
Negatives: pool has a dreadful old drain/sewerage smell at the far end (not in the pool itself- but could be from the drainage vents on the end/side?). Shower and sink in the room could do with a really good clean. Sink had a crack right across it. Mosquito net is looking really shabby. Feels rundown rather than heritage. Table in the Main lounge area was actively being eaten by insects while we were being checked in. requested transport to the train for early morning to be told no problem tuktuks here all the time . Did speak with a driver who did not turn up ( the only transport arrangement we had in 3 weeks of travelling that did not turn up). And no other vehicles in sight. Did send a staff member down the road to try to find something . Fortunately we had time to spare.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2020

Graydon

Stylish historic hotel in the middle of Galle Fort, great amenities, fantastic food, large accommodating room, and incredible and personable service.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2020

Denzil

Old needs renovation and the rooms are a bit small. Also bathroom facilities are out dated and in dysfunction.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Dec 2019

Thomas

Everythikng

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

Beautiful building and very comfortable room. Felt like we were getting a very unique and authentic Galle Fort experience.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

Historical building in a perfect location

Very nice boutique hotel in a historical building and perfect location in Galle. Fantastic breakfast and friendly staff.
Very nice restaurant and perfect gin tonic

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2019

Alexandra

Charming Hotel in perfect location!

Highly recommend Galle Fort Hotel! So beautiful in a perfect location and the staff (especially Kusal - I hope I am spelling that right - who was at reception). My only comment is that they tried to charge us an egregious amount - the cost of an additional room - to add an additional guest into our Library Suite room. I booked the largest room specifically because I knew it could accommodate more than 2 people and was happy to pay an upcharge but not a whole room's worth!

They were very pleasant and the pool area, the room, all of the small details were so wonderful. Breakfast in the morning was quite tasty and large - I wish I could spend a few more days there!

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Oct 2019

Lee

It was really well designed, with dining tables facing the pool. In fact, with all the rooms facing the lovely, exquisite pool. We were most appreciative of the fact that our room was literally 5 steps away from the pool! For someone who loves to swim, this was truly appreciated. The entre service was wonderful. Thank you so much.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

26 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

This restored property remains a stand in Galle for the setting and service.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Apr 2019

RaneeK

nice dinner by the pool but the gin tonic is comparatively expensive .
Love the rooms facing pool.
Staff super friendly

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2019

Naomi

Fabulous place, great staff, great food & beautiful surroundings. Highly recommend this hotel.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

All was great but the service, particularly at breakfast was erratic and slow.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Interesting proprty. Felt like taking a step back in time. Bonus to have a pool inside the fort .

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Loved the colonial aspects food and staff. Great place to base yourself for a few days in Galle and surrounds

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jan 2019

Richard

Galle's Finest

This was the best hotel we stayed in Sri Lanka. Excellent service, food and room. The staff were professional and friendly.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Dec 2018

Brian

Botique hotel in fantastic area.

Great botique hotel in a UNESCO heritage site. Comfort and service above par. Historic building in the middle of the fort. Great for a day or two. Good breakfast. Turndown too.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

23 Nov 2018

Vimal

Very Central nice hospitality. A small boutique hotel. BUT THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT WAS WE WERE ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND COULD HEAR FOOTSTEPS OF GUESTS IN THE ROOM ABOVE US FOR ALL THE 24 HOURS. VERY DISTURBING

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2018

Paul

Great location and amazing colonial property but didn’t like the fact the terrace suite had the breakfast and dinner area a few feet outside the door.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Oct 2018

Verified traveler

Beautiful hotel in the historic part of Galle. Knowledgable and friendly staff

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2018

Verified traveler

Beautifully restored colonial hotel located in the middle of a Galle Fort.
A sense of restrained luxury in the beautiful garden and provided by attentive, yet never overbearing staff.

6/10

Pleasant

31 Mar 2018

Lina

Friendly service, but not a 5 star hotel

We stayed in Portuguese Barracks.
+ Good, friendly service
+ Nice breakfast and drinks
+ Comfortable bed
+ Nice (although small) pool

- Bathroom: Our bathroom was small and you could smell the drain
- Room: Our room (Portuguese Barracks) was fairly dark and you could hear every footstep in the room above.
- Bathtub: The room has a really beautiful, large bathtub. When I ran the bath, the water went cold after 5 minutes. After calling guest services, we find out that there is only 20 litres of warm water in the room, which means that you cannot use the bathtub for a hot bath

Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Mar 2018

Kat

Beautiful colonial hotel in Galle

Very elegant hotel offering great stay in comfort. Breakfast is delicious but unfortunately dinner was disappointing for the price we paid. The rooms are excellent: clean and very comfortable.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Feb 2018

Kevin

very beautiful hotel full of character

Probably one of the most beautiful hotels I ever stayed in. Can only recommend this place. Only downside is that the staff is a bit slow and all over the place (breakfast took a good 90 minutes and they forgot a drinks order at the bar) We were on holidays so didn’t mind too much, but it should be better for a hotel at this level.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

AMAZING!

The Galle Fort Hotel is just amazing! The staff were extremely friendly and service minded. They made me feel right at home. I loved every minute of the stay!

10/10

Exceptional

04 Dec 2017

Safiblue

Fantastic Hotel and right on the Ocean!

Amazing views, great food and lovely staff. You can't go wrong!

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2017

Ando

Short luxury stop in Galle

The hotel is in a very good location in Galle Fort. It has all the style and charm imaginable from its original era and offers a very unique experience. Highly recommended to experience the colonial style and enjoy the pool in the central courtyard - which surprisingly gets sun at most times during the day. What you would expect from an award winning luxury hotel.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Aug 2017

Verified traveler

Great location

Friendly staff, classic old big rooms. Very clean and central to all must see sights.

8/10

Excellent

14 Jul 2017

Greg

A wonderful place to stay

Was a fantastic place to stay and location in the middle of Galle Fort precinct was perfect. The level of service was excellent. And the architecture was wonderfully colonial.

If I was to be nit picky......the WiFi was poor (was advised this was being upgraded soon) and pillows were too soft.

In all - the best place to stay in Galle Fort!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jul 2017

Katie

Gret Stay!

Staff were very attentive to our needs. When I arrived, I asked if we could be switched into a different room and I was immediately accommodated. Everyone was very friendly and helpful, the location was ideal, and the food was great. I would absolutely recommend this hotel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2017

Jorge Eduardo

Fantastic place!

Amazing place! Food fantastic and bed very comfortable.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2017

elizabeth

Old world perfection! Excellent value for money

Excellent service. In particular the concierge Emanuel went out of his way to help us.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Mar 2017

John

Charming Hotel

What a charming hotel. Full of character and old world style. The room was great as were the staff, the food and the location. I would definitely stay here again.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

Classy joint!

Old world charm + elegance in the middle of Galle Fort.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Feb 2017

Verified traveler

LOST ITS SHINE, Needs to be spruced up

1. Bathroom lighting of the Library Suite was not adequate. - oo dark

2. WC cubicle is comparatively too cramped.

3. Entire property needs a makeover, to enjoy its glory days again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2017

Paul

Every staff person pleasant and helpful. One weird thing on my part. I was surprised no concierge. So have to visit office. The office is behind closed doors. I felt I was going to principals office(headmaster, mother superior?). Probably just me.

Partner

2/10

Poor

26 Jan 2017

Verified traveler

Disappointed

The hotel itself has a great history, but we were horribly disappointed in our day! We booked a terrace suite, and they gave us a loft suite instead (and no refund for the difference). The room was dingy and needed a lot of work. It was so dark, we could barely see. The toilet/showers were horrible - dirty and very little hot water.

The poor staff was working so hard, but management was horrible. You could easily tell they had no direction. Took over 45 minutes to get a bill for 2 beers. On top of that, they actually snapped our credit card in front of us (on accident) while checking out - and they told us they had no way to type in numbers, that we needed to find alternative payment!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2016

Verified traveler

I stayed in a spacious suite for 2. The furniture was beautiful, especially the 4 poster bed. Quiet room. Breakfast was generous in size and what is included. The spicey curry was to hot for me. It eas graciously replaced with a mild curry. Staff is very friendly. My only comment is one of the staff said I needed to go outside the wall for an ATM. I found one down the street. Location was central, an easy walk to different parts of the fort.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Oct 2016

Susan

Luxury at an affordable price.

Amazing Amazing Amazing. Just go. You won't be disappointed. Trust me

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2016

Nicola

Superb luxury hotel

During our trip to Sri Lanka we stayed in a variety of accommodation from budget homestays to this, luxury heritage hotel. Whilst the room rates are pretty expensive, we experienced exceptional service and quality from the Galle Fort Hotel which we had booked as a treat for our wedding anniversary. On arrival we were greeted by reception staff, as well as the manager, David, who gave us a fascinating account about the hotel's history and origins. He was a very personable man and we saw him throughout our stay interacting with various guests which was nice to see. The other staff were polite, attentive and friendly. We stayed in loft suite 3; beautifully finished as is the whole hotel, and incredibly comfortable. The restaurant serves exceptional food, experienced both at breakfast and evening meal. The prices are higher than some other restaurants but still reasonable given the quality. Zameer, the assistant manager, gave us some tips at breakfast about how to eat with your fingers Sri Lankan style :) and was able to arrange a late check out for us on our final day, which was ideal as our train to Colombo wasn't until 3:30pm. Staying within the fort walls was an ideal location for wandering around the little streets, shops, and for walking around the fort wall (a must). Admittedly we couldn't resist just relaxing in the peaceful sanctuary of the hotel by the pool, which is fairly small but perfect for cooling off. Our only complaint is that we weren't staying there longer!

Partner