Galle Fort Hotel

Rooms

The 11 rooms and suites are arranged over 3 floors around the central courtyard. All but one face inwards, so don't expect views of Galle. The rooms are quiet, simple and spacious – elegantly furnished with just a few antique pieces, soft white linen, mosquito nets, kashmir throws and sensuous bathroom products from Thailand. All are fully air-conditioned and have ceiling fans, but most have showers only, so if you prefer a bathtub please ask when booking.

Standard Garden Rooms open directly on to the poolside and garden area. Although smaller than other rooms, they're comfortable, cool and restful, with pretty, tiled lightwells, and make a good value option – particularly as you're unlikely to spend any time in your room during the day with the lovely pool right outside.

The Loft Suites are above these rooms and open onto a wide, shared balcony furnished with comfortable chaises longues. Each is spread over two floors, with a kingsize bed upstairs and a living room and small bathroom (as well as space for an extra bed) downstairs. The Porcelain Suite is the same size, but with vaulted ceilings and beautiful blue and white porcelain decorations.

The Cheng Ho Pavilion and the Library Suite are even more lavishly decorated and a tad larger. The Cheng Ho Pavilion has a carved Chinese opium bed, columns, intricate oriental furniture and a waterfall shower, while the Library Suite has two kingsize beds, two large day beds and an unusual collection of traditional gem-encrusted hat pins.

If you're travelling as two couples or a family, or honeymooning in style, then splash out on the stunning Grande Appartement du Comte de Mauny, named after a disgraced aristocrat and former resident. It has two large double rooms, a spacious lounge, a large private balcony and – what the other rooms lack – a view of Galle, with its churches and mosques poking up among rows of sun-baked, terracotta-tiled roofs.

Lastly, more of a villa within the hotel, is the Mews Suite – a self-contained outhouse with a private courtyard. It has a kingsize bed for grown-ups and a mezzanine level with a large day bed for children.