The Charleston | Galle Fort — Hotel in Galle

This is a world class boutique facility in a beautiful boutique township. With only 9 rooms (I think) it has nailed what Westerners expect and need out of accommodation in Sri Lanka. Highly recommend and will return one day. A long review but it's because I loved it so much!||I had to move hotels and walked in off the street to seek accommodation. From the moment I walked into the air-conditioned foyer, I felt safe and looked after. All staff speak fluent english and absolutely nothing was a problem that couldn't efficently be resolved. The price for the room was negotiated and fair, Check in was a breeze, and they are very good at communicating the little extras via whats app. I stayed 3 nights.||Location - 5min walk from everywhere within the walls. 12 - 15min tuk tuk to lovely beach restaurants along the coast either direction. Perfect.||Room: I had a large king-sized bed, bathtub, and separate rain shower, with deluxe toiletries. I also had a large garden terrace outdoor area, ground floor Room 7. I had free laundry service, which was timely and impeccably done. Daily room servicing was included with a turn down service and little room/food treats and more. Two lovely bottles of water are privided each day. Safe, hair dryer, lots of plugs, and additional adapters provided. Noting no room fridge but requesting ice, bucket anytime was not an issue. Not was requesting wine glasses if you brought your own. Thin lipped beautiful glasses were supplied. ||Breakfast - I had breakfast daily, and it was superb. Great variety (Fruit, eggs, any style, museli, sri lankan, etc), perfectly cooked, and a beautiful air-con setting. Can also order this in the room. The bed was soo comfortable and the air-con unit was quiet. ||Pool - There is a covered pool. I mention covered as it is ALWAYS cold, which is a necessity in Sri Lankan hot season, and beginning of rainy season for Westerners. All over Sri Lanka, I went to pools with lovely settings only to get into what felt like hot spas. So the pool at this hotel was a welcome relief. The area is small but luxurious, and the loungers have the most comfortable cushions I've ever been on. Pool area has towels a plenty, private toilets and enough loungers to meet needs of the guests across the 9 rooms. ||Cocktail Bar (Charlies) is part of their facility, which is open to the public, and tables can be booked online. Do this as it gets busy for sunset. The music played was ambient lowfi, which suited the location. When in Ella, I faced some horrendous music in some lovely settings so it was nice to see this place has it right. I welcomed a few travellers to a large table I was occupying olone one night for cocktails and it was a great night to swap stories and meet new people from around the world. You cannot see the beach but it's not the pull of this place. It's a beautiful sanctuary to return to after exploring and a sweet spot for a nice cocktail to watch sunset.||Live Music - I am not sure whether it was regular, but they had a guitar player who sang covers one night, and it was fantastic. I watched a bit, then went for a soak in the bath and listened. It closed down strictly at 9pm, which I think was a respectful time. ||Dinner - I had a lovely pasta dish and cocktail watching the sun set on my first night as was exhausted. Was delicious.||Safety - The security guards at front of house are great and I often came home late after exploring the township and felt very safe and secure. The access to the cocktail bar is safe and there are plenty of staff who know what's, what and manage the place accordingly. I felt very safe as a solo traveler.||On check out what I loved was the INITIATIVE of the staff. Asking if I had my transfer to next stop sorted and offering to assist. Something I found lacking across all prior hotels in my month long trip. ||Staying here was a highlight of my month long stay and it turned my view around of wanting to return to Sri Lanka again. Thank you to all the team for creating such great memories. You have a special thing going on here, may it long...

This is a world class boutique facility in a beautiful boutique township. With only 9 rooms (I think) it has nailed what Westerners expect and need out of accommodation in Sri Lanka. Highly recommend and will return one day. A long review but it's because I loved it so much!

I had to move hotels and walked in off the street to seek accommodation. From the moment I walked into the air-conditioned foyer, I felt safe and looked after. All staff speak fluent english and absolutely nothing was a problem that couldn't efficently be resolved. The price for the room was negotiated and fair, Check in was a breeze, and they are very good at communicating the little extras via whats app. I stayed 3 nights.

Location - 5min walk from everywhere within the walls. 12 - 15min tuk tuk to lovely beach restaurants along the coast either direction. Perfect.

Room: I had a large king-sized bed, bathtub, and separate rain shower, with deluxe toiletries. I also had a large garden terrace outdoor area, ground floor Room 7. I had free laundry service, which was timely and impeccably done. Daily room servicing was included with a turn down service and little room/food treats and more. Two lovely bottles of water are privided each day. Safe, hair dryer, lots of plugs, and additional adapters provided. Noting no room fridge but requesting ice, bucket anytime was not an issue. Not was requesting wine glasses if you brought your own. Thin lipped beautiful glasses were supplied.

Breakfast - I had breakfast daily, and it was superb. Great variety (Fruit, eggs, any style, museli, sri lankan, etc), perfectly cooked, and a beautiful air-con setting. Can also order this in the room. The bed was soo comfortable and the air-con unit was quiet.

Pool - There is a covered pool. I mention covered as it is ALWAYS cold, which is a necessity in Sri Lankan hot season, and beginning of rainy season for Westerners. All over Sri Lanka, I went to pools with lovely settings only to get into what felt like hot spas. So the pool at this hotel was a welcome relief. The area is small but luxurious, and the loungers have the most comfortable cushions I've ever been on. Pool area has towels a plenty, private toilets and enough loungers to meet needs of the guests across the 9 rooms.

Cocktail Bar (Charlies) is part of their facility, which is open to the public, and tables can be booked online. Do this as it gets busy for sunset. The music played was ambient lowfi, which suited the location. When in Ella, I faced some horrendous music in some lovely settings so it was nice to see this place has it right. I welcomed a few travellers to a large table I was occupying olone one night for cocktails and it was a great night to swap stories and meet new people from around the world. You cannot see the beach but it's not the pull of this place. It's a beautiful sanctuary to return to after exploring and a sweet spot for a nice cocktail to watch sunset.

Live Music - I am not sure whether it was regular, but they had a guitar player who sang covers one night, and it was fantastic. I watched a bit, then went for a soak in the bath and listened. It closed down strictly at 9pm, which I think was a respectful time.

Dinner - I had a lovely pasta dish and cocktail watching the sun set on my first night as was exhausted. Was delicious.

Safety - The security guards at front of house are great and I often came home late after exploring the township and felt very safe and secure. The access to the cocktail bar is safe and there are plenty of staff who know what's, what and manage the place accordingly. I felt very safe as a solo traveler.

On check out what I loved was the INITIATIVE of the staff. Asking if I had my transfer to next stop sorted and offering to assist. Something I found lacking across all prior hotels in my month long trip.

Staying here was a highlight of my month long stay and it turned my view around of wanting to return to Sri Lanka again. Thank you to all the team for creating such great memories. You have a special thing going on here, may it long...

Our stay at The Charleston in Galle’s historic Fort area was absolutely unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for something special. This boutique hotel truly exceeded our expectations with its unique blend of personalized service, attention to design, and an overall relaxing atmosphere that made it feel like a home away from home.

The hotel is perfectly situated within Galle Fort, an area full of charm and history. We loved being able to explore the cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and nearby cafes, all within walking distance. Despite its central location, the hotel managed to feel tranquil and secluded, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city.

As designers ourselves, we were absolutely smitten with the hotel’s interior. The hotel features a stunning blend of modern luxury and art deco elements, with beautiful furnishings, striking patterns, and a color palette that evokes both elegance and comfort. Every corner of the hotel had something remarkable — from the intricate tile work to the artfully curated decor. It’s clear that great thought went into every detail, and it was a joy to explore the property, noticing the little touches that made it so unique.

Our room was impeccably designed, blending contemporary comfort with classic style. We particularly appreciated the small details: the plush bedding, the sleek furnishings, and the elegant lighting. The room was spacious, and the serene atmosphere made it the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring. Additionally, the snacks provided in the room were a lovely touch and a thoughtful gesture that made us feel right at home.

The service at The Charleston was exceptional. The staff were warm, friendly, and always available without being intrusive. They went above and beyond to make our stay memorable — from offering a personalized tour of the property to providing thoughtful recommendations for local attractions. Every interaction felt genuine, and we truly felt welcomed throughout our stay.

One of the highlights of our stay was the food. We especially enjoyed the breakfast options, which featured a great mix of local specialties and international favourites. Dining at the hotel felt like an experience in itself, with the service and atmosphere in the beautifully done terrace, complementing the delicious food perfectly.

The Charleston is a true gem in the heart of Galle Fort. Whether you're a design lover, a food enthusiast, or someone just seeking a peaceful, well-curated getaway, this hotel offers everything you need for a memorable stay. The thoughtful details, the exceptional service, and the serene atmosphere made this a perfect retreat. We left feeling completely refreshed and will certainly return on our next...