Fort Bazaar

Located in a restored merchant’s house dating from the 1800s, the Fort Bazaar belongs to a new guard of Sri Lankan boutique hotels that are trying on a hip, contemporary aesthetic.

• The candle-lit courtyard in the early evening with its cozy sitting nooks
• The delicious food, especially rice and curry, at Church Street Social.
• The central location in walking distance to all of Galle’s shops, restaurants and sights

Banish all thoughts of dark-wood interiors: the chic Fort Bazaar, which opened in 2015, offers a new take on colonial-era style. The hotel is set in a two-story building (a restored home from the 1800s) that centers around a serene courtyard full of beautiful flowers, frangipani and mango trees. The courtyard’s tiled floors, seating nooks with ikat-print pillows and brass lanterns contain hints of Morocco and India, while clean-lined armchairs and light-wood furniture throw some mid-century Scandinavian into the mix.

Room interiors, meanwhile, playfully reinvent British Colonial staples. Window shutters are painted an elegant grey-green, the floors are polished stone, and the high ceilings are white-washed. The spaces are uncluttered: one bed (a very comfortable four-post king), one desk, one armchair and no art or unnecessary adornment. Bathrooms come with rain showers and are stocked with locally made products. Thanks to well-functioning air conditioning, these minimalist enclaves make for a welcome respite from the midday heat when many guests return for a nap after morning touring.

The charming on-site restaurant Church Street Social serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and while the menu is more slanted to Western-Asian fusion, there are also always local choices, including egg hoppers (a savory Sri Lankan pancake topped with an egg) for breakfast and a wonderful selection of rice and curries for dinner.

As with any newcomer, there are growing pains: the WiFi and hot water were spotty during an April 2016 visit and while the staff is lovely, the pace with which requests are delivered is leisurely. A pool and small spa are in the works and should be completed by the Fall 2016; meanwhile, guests are shuttled to the pool at a nearby hotel.

Guests at Fort Bazaar are savvy, younger couples and families who like a young vibe and a contemporary setting, and who use the serene hotel as a base for exploring Galle Fort. Those who prefer to lounge at a pool with lots of amenities and service, should book at the Amangalla, just a short walk up the road.

One night (Galle Fort is small and can easily be explored in a single day).

From Colombo central, Galle is a two-hour drive; from the airport it’s closer to three.