Galle Literary Festival

Where to stay

We are delighted to be partnering with some of the area’s top hotels, many of which are kindly hosting our visiting authors, as well as providing the venues for our intimate lunch and dinner events. 

Set within UNESCO-listed Galle Fort — where much of our Galle Literary Festival takes place — and dotted along the coast and Galle’s verdant interior, these are brilliant places to stay if you’re coming from out of town for the Festival. Read on for a flavour of each hotel or villa:

The Merchant, in the heart of the action on the Fort’s bustling Pedlar Street, has 14 rooms clustered above a cobbled courtyard, as well as a three-bedroom villa just nearby. Interiors are fresh and contemporary, with high ceilings, a soothing cream palette and lots of natural textures. Sip cocktails at the bar or dine on Sri Lankan specialities in the courtyard restaurant. The villa is fantastic for families.

The Charleston, which opened in late 2023, is a striking Art Deco property on Lighthouse Street in Galle Fort. Once a merchant’s home and now a nine-bedroom boutique hotel with a hip bar, it’s a top spot for trendy design aficionados. Pick a perch at Charlie’s Bar for cocktails before heading out to explore.

The Fort Printers, previously a print shop and boys’ school, is now an elegantly restored boutique hotel on the corner of Pedlar Street. Sixteen minimalist rooms and suites, each named for school subjects, encircle a frangipani-filled courtyard with a refreshing swimming pool. Feast on fantastic fare at 39 Wine Bar & Bistro. An understated gem.

Fort Bazaar is a chic, 18-bedroom hotel fusing contemporary style with nods to the building’s past as a 17th-century Fort merchant’s residence. Feast on Asian fusion food at trendy Church Street Social before retreating to spacious, earthy-toned rooms with modern four-posters and big bathtubs in the candlelit courtyard.

The Chatham Collection has four refined properties in Galle Fort and on Habaraduwa beach. Two of the villas will be hosting our authors, but 3-bedroom beach villas Ahasa and Sulanga, both designed by Channa Daswatte, are fabulous for families or groups of friends looking to unwind in sophisticated surroundings. Think light, airy spaces with contemporary elements and antiques from Hong Kong, where the owners have long been based.

Skinny Beach House gets its name from its narrow plot of land, cleverly utilised to make the most of splendid ocean views from two floors. Close to the tranquil lagoon of Dalawella beach, this modern two-bedroom villa is a brilliant base for families or friends, who can kick back in the sea-facing sitting room, sink into the plunge pool on the deck, or catch orange and pink sunsets from the upstairs balcony.

Sielen Diva, a striking modernist villa in Thalpe, is made up of seven spacious rooms and suites, each with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Think big bathrooms with free-standing tubs, plus contemporary artwork in the guest rooms and games room. The impressive infinity pool and sea-facing terrace are dotted with red- and yellow-cushioned sun loungers, ideal for dramatic sunsets

Why House, nestled among lush gardens in Mihiripenna, close to Dalawella beach, is a favourite with returning guests of all ages. Famed for its warm hospitality, this ten-bedroom hotel has fabulous interiors with bold prints and huge bathrooms, as well as an excellent restaurant-bar serving cold gin & tonics and fresh, seasonal cuisine. Little ones will adore the big swimming pool and leafy grounds.

Sri Mathie B&B, set on seven acres of forest inland of Habaraduwa, has a sensitively restored antique villa at its heart. Built in 1910, the charming house is home to welcoming hosts Guy and Mary, who also run an organic farm from the property. Book one of the characterful rooms, or kick back in a cottage on the grounds. Guests share access to the jungle-fringed swimming pool, and can enjoy breakfasts featuring fresh eggs.

Ginigala House has a wonderfully easy-going feel. Hidden in leafy gardens near Heenatigala, this century-old house has been carefully restored to offer three comfortable guest rooms, each with draped four-poster beds. The first-floor suite with clawfoot tub is particularly special, but all rooms promise verdant views. Unwind on the terrace, savour cracking cuisine from the in-house chef, or take refreshing dips in the jungle-framed pool.

Pooja Kanda, a five-bedroom villa with beautiful hilltop views, sits close to Koggala. A tranquil private hideaway for families or groups of friends, this airy, white-painted house has characterful interiors with big four-poster beds, a colonnaded verandah and inviting seating areas. Sink into the infinity pool, enjoy delicious food, or venture to the golden beaches of the coast, just 10 minutes away.

The Merchant, in the heart of the action on the Fort’s bustling Pedlar Street, has 14 rooms clustered above a cobbled courtyard, as well as a three-bedroom villa just nearby. Interiors are fresh and contemporary, with high ceilings, a soothing cream palette and lots of natural textures. Sip cocktails at the bar or dine on Sri Lankan specialities in the courtyard restaurant. The villa is fantastic for families.

The Charleston, which opened in late 2023, is a striking Art Deco property on Lighthouse Street in Galle Fort. Once a merchant’s home and now a nine-bedroom boutique hotel with a hip bar, it’s a top spot for trendy design aficionados. Pick a perch at Charlie’s Bar for cocktails before heading out to explore.

The Fort Printers, previously a print shop and boys’ school, is now an elegantly restored boutique hotel on the corner of Pedlar Street. Sixteen minimalist rooms and suites, each named for school subjects, encircle a frangipani-filled courtyard with a refreshing swimming pool. Feast on fantastic fare at 39 Wine Bar & Bistro. An understated gem.

Fort Bazaar is a chic, 18-bedroom hotel fusing contemporary style with nods to the building’s past as a 17th-century Fort merchant’s residence. Feast on Asian fusion food at trendy Church Street Social before retreating to spacious, earthy-toned rooms with modern four-posters and big bathtubs in the candlelit courtyard.

The Chatham Collection has four refined properties in Galle Fort and on Habaraduwa beach. Two of the villas will be hosting our authors, but 3-bedroom beach villas Ahasa and Sulanga, both designed by Channa Daswatte, are fabulous for families or groups of friends looking to unwind in sophisticated surroundings. Think light, airy spaces with contemporary elements and antiques from Hong Kong, where the owners have long been based.

Skinny Beach House gets its name from its narrow plot of land, cleverly utilised to make the most of splendid ocean views from two floors. Close to the tranquil lagoon of Dalawella beach, this modern two-bedroom villa is a brilliant base for families or friends, who can kick back in the sea-facing sitting room, sink into the plunge pool on the deck, or catch orange and pink sunsets from the upstairs balcony.

Sielen Diva, a striking modernist villa in Thalpe, is made up of seven spacious rooms and suites, each with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Think big bathrooms with free-standing tubs, plus contemporary artwork in the guest rooms and games room. The impressive infinity pool and sea-facing terrace are dotted with red- and yellow-cushioned sun loungers, ideal for dramatic sunsets

Why House, nestled among lush gardens in Mihiripenna, close to Dalawella beach, is a favourite with returning guests of all ages. Famed for its warm hospitality, this ten-bedroom hotel has fabulous interiors with bold prints and huge bathrooms, as well as an excellent restaurant-bar serving cold gin & tonics and fresh, seasonal cuisine. Little ones will adore the big swimming pool and leafy grounds.

Sri Mathie B&B, set on seven acres of forest inland of Habaraduwa, has a sensitively restored antique villa at its heart. Built in 1910, the charming house is home to welcoming hosts Guy and Mary, who also run an organic farm from the property. Book one of the characterful rooms, or kick back in a cottage on the grounds. Guests share access to the jungle-fringed swimming pool, and can enjoy breakfasts featuring fresh eggs.

Ginigala House has a wonderfully easy-going feel. Hidden in leafy gardens near Heenatigala, this century-old house has been carefully restored to offer three comfortable guest rooms, each with draped four-poster beds. The first-floor suite with clawfoot tub is particularly special, but all rooms promise verdant views. Unwind on the terrace, savour cracking cuisine from the in-house chef, or take refreshing dips in the jungle-framed pool.

Pooja Kanda, a five-bedroom villa with beautiful hilltop views, sits close to Koggala. A tranquil private hideaway for families or groups of friends, this airy, white-painted house has characterful interiors with big four-poster beds, a colonnaded verandah and inviting seating areas. Sink into the infinity pool, enjoy delicious food, or venture to the golden beaches of the coast, just 10 minutes away.

The Merchant, in the heart of the action on the Fort’s bustling Pedlar Street, has 14 rooms clustered above a cobbled courtyard, as well as a three-bedroom villa just nearby. Interiors are fresh and contemporary, with high ceilings, a soothing cream palette and lots of natural textures. Sip cocktails at the bar or dine on Sri Lankan specialities in the courtyard restaurant. The villa is fantastic for families.

The Charleston, which opened in late 2023, is a striking Art Deco property on Lighthouse Street in Galle Fort. Once a merchant’s home and now a nine-bedroom boutique hotel with a hip bar, it’s a top spot for trendy design aficionados. Pick a perch at Charlie’s Bar for cocktails before heading out to explore.

The Fort Printers, previously a print shop and boys’ school, is now an elegantly restored boutique hotel on the corner of Pedlar Street. Sixteen minimalist rooms and suites, each named for school subjects, encircle a frangipani-filled courtyard with a refreshing swimming pool. Feast on fantastic fare at 39 Wine Bar & Bistro. An understated gem.

Fort Bazaar is a chic, 18-bedroom hotel fusing contemporary style with nods to the building’s past as a 17th-century Fort merchant’s residence. Feast on Asian fusion food at trendy Church Street Social before retreating to spacious, earthy-toned rooms with modern four-posters and big bathtubs in the candlelit courtyard.

The Chatham Collection has four refined properties in Galle Fort and on Habaraduwa beach. Two of the villas will be hosting our authors, but 3-bedroom beach villas Ahasa and Sulanga, both designed by Channa Daswatte, are fabulous for families or groups of friends looking to unwind in sophisticated surroundings. Think light, airy spaces with contemporary elements and antiques from Hong Kong, where the owners have long been based.

Skinny Beach House gets its name from its narrow plot of land, cleverly utilised to make the most of splendid ocean views from two floors. Close to the tranquil lagoon of Dalawella beach, this modern two-bedroom villa is a brilliant base for families or friends, who can kick back in the sea-facing sitting room, sink into the plunge pool on the deck, or catch orange and pink sunsets from the upstairs balcony.

Sielen Diva, a striking modernist villa in Thalpe, is made up of seven spacious rooms and suites, each with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Think big bathrooms with free-standing tubs, plus contemporary artwork in the guest rooms and games room. The impressive infinity pool and sea-facing terrace are dotted with red- and yellow-cushioned sun loungers, ideal for dramatic sunsets

Why House, nestled among lush gardens in Mihiripenna, close to Dalawella beach, is a favourite with returning guests of all ages. Famed for its warm hospitality, this ten-bedroom hotel has fabulous interiors with bold prints and huge bathrooms, as well as an excellent restaurant-bar serving cold gin & tonics and fresh, seasonal cuisine. Little ones will adore the big swimming pool and leafy grounds.

Sri Mathie B&B, set on seven acres of forest inland of Habaraduwa, has a sensitively restored antique villa at its heart. Built in 1910, the charming house is home to welcoming hosts Guy and Mary, who also run an organic farm from the property. Book one of the characterful rooms, or kick back in a cottage on the grounds. Guests share access to the jungle-fringed swimming pool, and can enjoy breakfasts featuring fresh eggs.

Ginigala House has a wonderfully easy-going feel. Hidden in leafy gardens near Heenatigala, this century-old house has been carefully restored to offer three comfortable guest rooms, each with draped four-poster beds. The first-floor suite with clawfoot tub is particularly special, but all rooms promise verdant views. Unwind on the terrace, savour cracking cuisine from the in-house chef, or take refreshing dips in the jungle-framed pool.

Pooja Kanda, a five-bedroom villa with beautiful hilltop views, sits close to Koggala. A tranquil private hideaway for families or groups of friends, this airy, white-painted house has characterful interiors with big four-poster beds, a colonnaded verandah and inviting seating areas. Sink into the infinity pool, enjoy delicious food, or venture to the golden beaches of the coast, just 10 minutes away.

The Merchant, in the heart of the action on the Fort’s bustling Pedlar Street, has 14 rooms clustered above a cobbled courtyard, as well as a three-bedroom villa just nearby. Interiors are fresh and contemporary, with high ceilings, a soothing cream palette and lots of natural textures. Sip cocktails at the bar or dine on Sri Lankan specialities in the courtyard restaurant. The villa is fantastic for families.

The Charleston, which opened in late 2023, is a striking Art Deco property on Lighthouse Street in Galle Fort. Once a merchant’s home and now a nine-bedroom boutique hotel with a hip bar, it’s a top spot for trendy design aficionados. Pick a perch at Charlie’s Bar for cocktails before heading out to explore.

The Fort Printers, previously a print shop and boys’ school, is now an elegantly restored boutique hotel on the corner of Pedlar Street. Sixteen minimalist rooms and suites, each named for school subjects, encircle a frangipani-filled courtyard with a refreshing swimming pool. Feast on fantastic fare at 39 Wine Bar & Bistro. An understated gem.

Fort Bazaar is a chic, 18-bedroom hotel fusing contemporary style with nods to the building’s past as a 17th-century Fort merchant’s residence. Feast on Asian fusion food at trendy Church Street Social before retreating to spacious, earthy-toned rooms with modern four-posters and big bathtubs in the candlelit courtyard.

The Chatham Collection has four refined properties in Galle Fort and on Habaraduwa beach. Two of the villas will be hosting our authors, but 3-bedroom beach villas Ahasa and Sulanga, both designed by Channa Daswatte, are fabulous for families or groups of friends looking to unwind in sophisticated surroundings. Think light, airy spaces with contemporary elements and antiques from Hong Kong, where the owners have long been based.

Skinny Beach House gets its name from its narrow plot of land, cleverly utilised to make the most of splendid ocean views from two floors. Close to the tranquil lagoon of Dalawella beach, this modern two-bedroom villa is a brilliant base for families or friends, who can kick back in the sea-facing sitting room, sink into the plunge pool on the deck, or catch orange and pink sunsets from the upstairs balcony.

Sielen Diva, a striking modernist villa in Thalpe, is made up of seven spacious rooms and suites, each with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Think big bathrooms with free-standing tubs, plus contemporary artwork in the guest rooms and games room. The impressive infinity pool and sea-facing terrace are dotted with red- and yellow-cushioned sun loungers, ideal for dramatic sunsets

Why House, nestled among lush gardens in Mihiripenna, close to Dalawella beach, is a favourite with returning guests of all ages. Famed for its warm hospitality, this ten-bedroom hotel has fabulous interiors with bold prints and huge bathrooms, as well as an excellent restaurant-bar serving cold gin & tonics and fresh, seasonal cuisine. Little ones will adore the big swimming pool and leafy grounds.

Sri Mathie B&B, set on seven acres of forest inland of Habaraduwa, has a sensitively restored antique villa at its heart. Built in 1910, the charming house is home to welcoming hosts Guy and Mary, who also run an organic farm from the property. Book one of the characterful rooms, or kick back in a cottage on the grounds. Guests share access to the jungle-fringed swimming pool, and can enjoy breakfasts featuring fresh eggs.

Ginigala House has a wonderfully easy-going feel. Hidden in leafy gardens near Heenatigala, this century-old house has been carefully restored to offer three comfortable guest rooms, each with draped four-poster beds. The first-floor suite with clawfoot tub is particularly special, but all rooms promise verdant views. Unwind on the terrace, savour cracking cuisine from the in-house chef, or take refreshing dips in the jungle-framed pool.

Pooja Kanda, a five-bedroom villa with beautiful hilltop views, sits close to Koggala. A tranquil private hideaway for families or groups of friends, this airy, white-painted house has characterful interiors with big four-poster beds, a colonnaded verandah and inviting seating areas. Sink into the infinity pool, enjoy delicious food, or venture to the golden beaches of the coast, just 10 minutes away.

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