Nothing. OK maybe tea facilities in room would be nice.

Everything was high standard, the small but thoughtful gestures. Food Devine. Lovely staff. Couldn’t fault it.

Stayed in August 2025

Our family of four (with kids aged 7 and 12) just spent two wonderful nights at The Charleston, the perfect base in the Fort mixed with style, comfort, and views. Full disclosure, we are the design architects for this lovely hotel so I will focus on the experience over the design. From check-in onwards, the staff was respectfully attentive and welcoming which made us feel right at home. We tried both the terrace rooms ( the private garden decks were perfect for reading or afternoon naps) as well as one night in the larger suites which were very bright and sunny. Of course the stand out is the terrace and pool, although perhaps a bit too hot for breakfast, by early afternoon and evening it was the perfect spot for refreshing dip in the pool followed by sunset drinks and dinner into the evening. The ocean breezes in August makes it especially pleasant. Since it is a popular spot, the crowd gives it a vibrant social atmopshere, however the staff always ensure that the guests have a reserved table ( or sofa for drinks) in advance. As mentioned, the stay was particularly special for us because as the architects it was amazing to finally stay as guests and see it full of people enjoying themselves. After years of planning and design it was fulfilling to see this vision come to life.

Stayed in August 2025

The breakfast was lovely, overall amazing service of the staff of Charlie’s Bar!

Stayed in August 2025

Wonderful decor, excellent rooms, swimming pool and lounge area superb, friendly and helpful staff, perfect location

Stayed in August 2025

Can't think of one thing

The Charleston is a beautiful, small hotel in a great location in Galle Fort. It is a short walk to the lighthouse, and overlooks the west rampart of the fort and the ocean. The hotel is very comfortable and rooms are well appointed. Little extras like the evening Turn Down were appreciated. The staff. were exceptional. I highly recommend this hotel.

Stayed in July 2025

What a super gem of a hotel! Absolutely stunning art deco style small boutique hotel right in the middle of the Fort. We used this a one-night stop before travelling on to Yala but we wished that we had booked for longer. The hotel arranged transport for us from the airport and we were greeted by the friendliest driver ever and provided with a small welcome hamper from the hotel for the 3 hour journey - it was such a lovely and welcome gesture. The hotel itself was one of the best we have ever stayed in and we honestly didn't think it could get any better until we met the staff.. nothing was too much trouble. We pre-ordered our evening meal just incase our arrival was delayed and we enjoyed the most amazing 2-course meal. The menu and quality of food is a high standard and reasonably priced. After 10 more days of traveling around Sri Lanka, we still talked about how much we wished we have stayed longer at the Charleston - one of the best experiences of our holiday. Thank you so much to all the staff involved.

Stayed in July 2025

The room was pretty small and not much space to put your bags. Would have been nice if there was a fridge in the room too. The bathroom was beautiful but smelt a bit of drainage a few times.

Really cool, brand new hotel right in Galle Fort. Amazing decor and interiors. It has a really nice rooftop bar with great cocktails and sunset views. The breakfast was delicious (I recommend the hoppers!). Staff were super friendly and helpful and always available via WhatsApp. The beds were really comfortable and cool - a nice break from the heat and humidity outside!

Stayed in April 2025

A beautiful modern boutique hotel, very close to the fort & lighthouse, location is excellent. The staff are very attentive, and very accommodating. They have a free laundry service, which was really nice. The room is a bit small. There’s a spacious Terrace which makes the room more spacious, however you can only access it during the day time, the staff ask you to close the doors at night, not to let the mosquitoes in. For the price of the room, we expected it to have a few more basic amenities like a TV, and maybe some slippers and cotton buds in the bathroom, those were missing. The room also didn’t have Cupboards, just a rail over the desk to hang your clothes. We were staying in Srilanka for a week, and had quite a bit of luggage, so it was kind of tight for us.

Stayed in April 2025

Everything was perfect.

Everything - the perfect stay!

Stayed in January 2025

If the hotel restaurant had more local dishes on the menu we would have eaten there instead. Although breakfast was excellent the menu only had two dishes which were local to Sri Lanka.

We arrived a little early than the checkin time but our room was ready. The staff were always willing to help throughout our stay, even contacting the tut tut driver for pick up when we needed a little help. I had quite a large bundle of laundry which the hotel did for us without any charge which was amazing. Communication was great throughout our stay. Breakfast was great and due to us requiring gluten free they made us a special bread each morning. Would recommend and would stay again if in Galle.

Stayed in September 2024

The menu could have a bigger selection. If being picky, the generic artwork upstairs in Charlie’s - I thought could be more authentic to Sri Lanka.

That it was super clean

Stayed in September 2024

Nill

A beautifully restored UNESCO protected property. Had a really long stay of about 3 weeks , From the management to staff , everyone was welcoming , accommodating, willing to walk an extra mile , showed the amazing Srilankan hospitality on a 5 star level . It felt like a second home . An extra plus was having a bidet at the bathroom. They gave me an upgrade without me asking , dont miss also on the villa booja half day tour . The property has an amazing sunset view .

Stayed in August 2024

It felt like the entire team went out of their way to make our stay special. Everything about the hotel was outstanding, from the spotless rooms, to their fantastic rooftop restaurant and bar, and the central location. After checking out several other hotels and restaurants in the Galle Fort area, this is easily the top choice.

Stayed in June 2024

Amazing location and even better staff, it’s a must to go to Charlie’s for a few cocktails. We even had a super early check out, yet the GM was there to help us with coffees, packed breakfast & our luggage.

Stayed in April 2024

I should have booked a few more nights to explore the fort, and nearby areas. The team offers some well curated experience, which I was not able to make use of. Booked a massage outside, but later found out that the property has its own wellness room. Wish I had used that instead.

Best designed property in Sri Lanka! I was lucky to come across the property as it had just opened. Great design, right in the middle of the Fort with amazing views from their restaurant and deck. Loved the a la carte breakfast, and the restaurant & bar menu are some of the best I tried in Sri Lanka! An energetic and very personable team, a welcome change from the service style experienced elsewhere during my trip.

Stayed in January 2024

Nothing

The location is absolutely superb - the upstairs restaurant terrace is facing west and the sunset over the ocean was gorgeous. The Charleston is very luxurious and the room was extremely comfortable with high quality bed and lovely furniture. The employees were kind and very helpful. We will return to the Charleston and stay there again on our way back from Yala national park.

Stayed in January 2024

The rooms with terraces/balconies were too small. There were no cupboards and not even enough place to keep 2 suitcases. The staff moved us to a bigger room as soon as one was available.

The staff was wonderful and the hotel was super clean

Stayed in July 2025

Our room was tiny - but really tiny! - and it seems to be designed for social media, but not for actual use. There is no place to store anything, not even a real wardrobe (they say there is, but you will have to hang your clothes in plain view over the desk - which leads to not being able to use the desk.) One you place your luggage the room is completely stuffed. Instead of giving you some storage space of course there is an instagrammable bath tub in the bath room - again not very smart. We did not feel comfortable here, and we felt the place was overpriced.

The location is really good - in the heart of Galle, and with sea view from the rooftop restaurant. The food in the restaurant was good, although service was rather slow.

Stayed in August 2024

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Stayed in August 2025

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Stayed in August 2025

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Stayed in August 2025

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Stayed in May 2025

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in September 2024

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in August 2024