Responsive image

Fort Printers

Our rating

9/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Characterful boutique hotel 
- Access to lovely beaches 
- Cultural and wildlife activities nearby 

Speak to someone who's been there

Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694

Enquire

Overview

Located on a peninsula in Galle a stone’s throw from the coast, Fort Printers is a boutique hotel set in a wonderfully restored 18th century mansion. The independently owned hotel lies within the boundaries of Galle Fort, a 16th century fort initially built by the Portuguese then fortified by the Dutch. The fort’s remains have been designated a World Heritage Site. When staying at the intimate and well-appointed Ford Printers, guests are very well placed indeed to explore the fort’s many surviving features and everything else Galle and the surrounding area has to offer. If you’re curious about the name Fort Printers, the hotel is so-called because until 1992 the mansion housed a printing company.

The property houses a total of 18 suites, all of which are handsomely furnished and very well presented. In the mansion itself are five of the suites, four of which are linked by a walkway up on the second floor. As for the fifth, it’s right by the small lap pool. The five suites showcase a rich blend of architectural styles and design features - original features such as whitewashed walls, rain showers lined with copper, exposed wooden beams, jackwood floors, shuttered windows and a delightful array of antiques really give the hotel a unique sense of character. The 13 remaining suites are located in two heritage villas that were constructed in 2013. Though they’re not as old as the original ones, these suites boast a contemporary style and are just as elegant and comfortable.

It would be easy to wile away the hours exploring the cultural melting pot that is Galle, but for any visitor wishing to go further afield, there are plenty of attractions that are well worth visiting. The city is in the southwest of Sri Lanka and has many fine beaches and coves that attract both tourists and locals alike. Depending on the season, visitors can take to the sea and go whale watching to view these giant marine mammals on their annual migration across the Indian Ocean. The best places to go for this are Dondra Point and Mirissa, both of which are quite close to Galle. Also nearby are the Hiyare Forest Reserve, a lush and expansive rainforest reserve home to a number of endemic species, and the Yala National Park, which is home to over 100 species, from leopards and elephants, to jackals and peacocks.

Children are very welcome. All suites have a king-size double bed that sleeps two, but the hotel will allow one child under the age of 10 stay in a room with parents for free. For children over 10 years of age, there’s an additional charge. Each room accommodates a maximum of three people, so a family of four would be obliged to book two rooms. Three meals are served every day, with a sumptuous and delectable array of dishes available, including plenty of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Meals are served either in the grand dining room or the courtyard that overlooks the lap pool at times to suit guests. 

Nearby Alternatives

Suggested Itineraries for Fort Printers

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 517 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Yes everything went incredibly smoothly , excellent guide and set up u have . I might need a new pair of calves though !!! Thanks for sorting ALL the changes out. Regards Charlie

    Missingcharles b reviewing 6 Day Toubkal Circuit on 03 May 2023

  • Hi Lisa, We had a fabulous time thank you. The accommodation and other ideation were all terrific - that’s so much for your help. The apartment in Cape Town was particularly good - we would never have found that: Boschendal was great as well and game lodge was superb. Thanks again, Alistair

    MissingAlistair A reviewing Cape Town, Garden Route and Kruger on 28 April 2023

  • Dear Lisa
    Well, we are back and still buzzing. We have had a marvellous time. The weather helped. We left Manchester in the snow and arrived in Marrakesh at 30 degrees. We were well looked after in the Riad. I'm glad we booked a meal for the first evening - ate it on the roof terrace. We can recommend that. It was delicious. We ate at the Foundouk, as per your recommendation and on the following night we ate at Le Jardin - got lost on the way to it!. We can really recommend Le Jardin.
    The following day we went to Majorelle gardens. Fortunately we had looked it up before we travelled because you have to book in advance online only from Jan 2023. We found our own way to the Medera Ben Yousef and Latifa took us to Bahia Palace - both were stunning.
    The following morning our lovely taxi driver Mohammond collected us to go to the EcoLodge. Yet another Mohammond made us very welcome. Again we ate well! You were right, the pool was freezing, but I can't sit next to water and not get in. Once you're in you forget how cold it is! I wasn't the only person to try the pool.
    Rashid, our guide for our walk collected us. He was brilliant. It was hard work, but worth it. I was determined I would make it. Kevin is fitter than me! The Berber family were lovely. We stopped when we were nearly there to see how rag rugs were made. When we got back Rashid and Mohammond confessed that Mohammond had said to Rashid that he should get us to a road if we got too tired and they would send a taxi (or a mule!) to collect us - or me, but Rashid was sure that I'd be OK. He was right. I think they wondered about these 2 70+ year olds. We can't praise Rashid enough. He had walked over from Imlil in the morning and was going to walk back after he left us.
    Thank you so much for putting our holiday together. We never thought it would be 3 years before we went. We are so glad we persevered. We did wonder what we had let ourselves in for as 2 oldies!
    Fiona and Kevin

    MissingFiona B reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 21 April 2023

+
See more reviews

Decisions...

Stop searching and speak to someone who knows.

Enquire Now