Set within the shaggy ramparts of Galle Fort, this hotel has a whole lot of history. Beginning its life as a 16th-century merchant's home, Fort Bazaar has since been updated into a classy hotel on the central Church Street where the antique shops, cafes and plenty of historic buildings are at your fingertips. Combining its modern design with distinct nods to Middle Eastern style, a stay at Fort Bazaar is all about relaxing spa treatments, afternoon tea in the lovely courtyard and strolls to nearby 'postcard' beaches. And whale watching boat trips for the more adventurous!
The hotel's restaurant is the Church Street Social, kitted out with a blend of metallic decor, a dramatic chandelier and serving dishes inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine plus fresh takes on local classics. The library is a cosy room with pale green shutters that open onto a rooftop view and out in the courtyard dotted with frangipani and mango trees, you can relax with a cup of Ceylon. The Z Spa offers signature massages drawing on the benefits of, you guessed it, tea!
Decorated in muted tones, the rooms and suites each come with king-size (or twin) beds in Balinese wood and a mod, minimalist bathroom with a rainshower. The Banyan rooms are set around an old banyan tree and enjoy a furnished balcony. There are three Upper Suites (including a duplex family suite) and each have a lounge area with colourful, patterned rugs, a freestanding tub in the bathroom and a private rooftop terrace.
You can't visit Sri Lanka and miss out on learning a signature dish, so be sure to join one of Fort Bazaar's cooking demos. Explore the history and scenery of Galle Fort on a walk across the ramparts, tucking into street food along the way. Get involved with local pastimes and professions as you try your hand at mask crafting, learn about the fort's renowned sapphire producer or tour a local tea plantation. Down the coastline, you'll also find a collection of beaches for every occasion - swimming, surfing and enjoying some of the best sunsets around.
Fort Bazaar's got style...from quirky artwork championing Sri Lanka's Ceylon industry to the alternative decor in the dining room.
Skip the generic souvenir shops and spend an afternoon learning traditional mask carving or painting with a local artist.
The hotel sits firmly within the fort itself, which is wonderful for history and atmosphere but means the beach requires a short drive rather than a stroll out the front door.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Fort Bazaar can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Sri Lanka trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Sri Lanka trips featuring Fort Bazaar or get advice and suggestions from one of our Sri Lanka specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Fort Bazaar start from around $420, or US$420, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A cosmopolitan colonial town on the sultry south-west coast stuffed with hipper-than-hip eateries, hotels and cafes.
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