A Foodie Journey Through Sri Lanka
Taste your way through Sri Lanka and trace the island's cultural history through the narrative of its fantastic food.
Tucked away in the cobbled lanes of Galle Fort, the Merchant offers a boutique stay in an ideal location.
The Merchant is located on Pedlar Street in the heart of the fort, with a range of cafes and restored old buildings all around. The area is steeped in history, and visitors will get a feel of the colonial history of Sri Lanka from walking around the mosques, churches, museums, and mansions squeezed into this little patch of land. After a day of discovery, you can stroll from the hotel to join the locals at the Ramparts, which offer spectacular sunset views over the ocean.
The Merchant building dates back to the 17th century and, as with every other building in the fort, has its own story to tell. Today, though, it’s a vibrant hotel that blends modern comfort and service with traditional décor and a touch of old-fashioned panache. Although there are plenty of local eateries in the area, we’d recommend dining at the Merchant’s 1710 restaurant at least once, as it would be a shame to miss the cosy ambience and renowned food.
All 14 rooms are similar in style; the only difference is the floor space. Most rooms look out over Pedlar Street and have small balconies, but we’d recommend going for the Super Deluxe or Premium, just based on the extra space.
The Merchant is ideal for everyone wanting to discover the fascinating history of the Galle Fort while staying in a little piece of it. The hotel’s location couldn’t be better, and it fits in perfectly with its surroundings.
Superior - This is what we would describe as our standard category. These will be decent 3/4* hotels providing a really good level of service. We would generally expect them to be providing a little something extra, in terms of character, guest experience or facilities too.
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Map centered on The Merchant. Zoom out to view other hotels (H) and experiences (E) in the area.
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