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Fort Printers

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

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

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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. 

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 530 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again

    MissingGodfrey R reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana on 25 September 2023

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

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