Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka
The fortified town of Galle has been a significant trading port for more than a thousand years.  Then it was the essential port of call for Chinese, Persian, Arab and Indian traders.  Later came the Javanese and Sumatrans, followed by Marco Polo in 1299 and the Portuguese in 1505.  Galle Fort remains a 'living monument',  the inhabitants being protected, not only by the stone ramparts some 20 metres thick but also by UNESCO, which classified the fort a World Heritage site in 1988.  Accommodation in Galle ......

Tangalle is known for its beautiful beaches but nearby there are many historical and cultural sites, plus two of the countries best game reserves Yala and Uda Walawe.  Accommodation in Tangalle ......

Bentota is doubly blessed by the lazy waters of the Bentota River, ideal for water-sports and boat trips and a quite wonderful broad sandy beach.  The gentle shelving sands offer generally safe swimming making this one of the most appealing Sri Lankan destinations.  Accommodation in Bentota .......

Accommodation in Sri Lanka

This colonial house built in the 1860's and renovated to maintain its colonial charm and elegance, has been converted into a small hotel with exudes a country house atmosphere.  The seven high individual bedrooms are filled with colonial antique furniture, dreamy four poster beds and each has an elegant bathroom.
There are two beautiful tropical gardens; the frangipani garden, leading to the swimming pool, and the mango garden which faces a stunning view of Galle harbour.  the gardens are an idyllic and serene place for guests to relax, read, write or sunbathe.
Delicious fusion cuisine is served and meals can be taken in either the dining room, on one of the house's airy verandas or in the garden under the mango tree.  The Sun House is a peaceful retreat offering a friendly and relaxed environment with service that is discreet yet efficient.

A stylish beach villa with one main bedroom complete with en-suite and an open living area with polished floors.  The elegant interior is furnished with a tasteful blend of antiques and locally crafted contemporary furniture.
Several sets of French doors lead out from the master suite onto a three sided terrace overlooking the pool, garden and ocean.  From the terrace, a smaller second bedroom can be accessed.  This house is designed for a couple or small family who love barefoot beach living surrounded by comfort.
Meals can be cooked by guests, the villa steward or taken at one of the beach bars and restaurants in the area.

Lying within the walls of Galle Fort is Amangalle an amalgamation of buildings dating back over 400 years.
There are four categories of accommodation at Amangalla, situated in different areas of the fort;  7 bedrooms are located in the Main Street wing, 6 chambers are located in the Church Street wing and face the ramparts and there are 3 garden wing chambers.  The 8 suites with their original polished wood floors dating back over 300 years are split between the Main Street and Church Street wings.  All rooms have four poster beds, en-suites and are furnished in traditional style.  There is also a two-storey guest house serviced by a private butler.
The baths at Amangalle offer the luxuriance of a distant age in a variety of treatments to revitalise the body and soothe the mind.

Directly overlooking the Indian Ocean, The Colony is a renovated colonial beach house, a haven of luxuriously appointed rooms that brings back memories of yesteryear when living was a more serene and peaceful existence.  Beautifully crafted local furniture, paintings and other antiques make it a genuine refuge for the weary traveller.  The atmosphere is relaxed and intimate.
There are four elegantly furnished bedrooms each with its own designer theme and spacious en-suite bathroom.  Delicious western and eastern meals are served, prepared with fresh fruit and vegetables found in the local market.

The Beach House is a truly exceptional holiday property.  The villas faces south and gazes over the gardens across the white sandy beach to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.  Five en-suite bedrooms, many with outdoor bathrooms, offer dreamy nights for guests, while a full time staff of four provide for your every need.
An enclosed sitting room leads onto the front terrace where blissfully comfortable lounging seats look over across the Indian Ocean.  with direct access onto one of the finest beaches in the Indian Ocean, a large tropical garden and a stunning infinity pool, this is definitely barefoot luxury at its best.

Amanwella is situated amidst a mature coconut grove fronting a crescent shaped beach close to the village of Tangalle in southern Sri Lanka.
All 30 suites are identical in layout and design and fall into two categories based on their location and views.  The suites are contemporary in design yet blend local materials and styles, like the distinctive terracotta roof tiles and hand-hewn stone.  Floor-to-ceiling glass and latticed panels form two sides - one opening onto a private walled-in entry courtyard and plunge pool, with the terrace side opposite affording open views.
The restaurant, perched eight metres above sea level, offers stunning views.  The cuisine is Asian and Mediterranean with an emphasis on local seafood from the Indian Ocean.

The River House is a spectacular 5 suite luxury riverside villa / boutique hotel with amenities and a private, tranquil and intimate ambience.
Surrounded by seven acres of lush tropical land, bordering the tranquil Madhu estuary, with its own tropical lake and access to a picturesque private ocean bay - the delights of The River House include discreet yet warm service, delicious island cuisine and a deeply restful and inspiring setting - a truly unique experience, in an extraordinary location, on an exceptional tropical island.

Taru Villas' taprobana is a perfect mix of elegant good taste and friendly warmth.  This intimate nine room beach-side boutique villa is located on a beautiful stretch of golden beach.
Great pride and pleasure is taken in the delicious cuisine on offer, whether it is spicy Sri Lankan favourites or Pacific rim/Asian fusion or even more traditional European dishes.
It is the attention to the 'little luxuries' that distinguishes Taru Villas from the rest, the interest taken in special dietary requirements; breakfast whenever you wake up; the complimentary tea service or the scented candles to welcome you to bed.

Within the tropical 25 acre garden paradise sits a simply designed 4 bedroom plantation house - a collection of courtyards, verandas and loggias create a haven of peace and inspiration.  All 4 suites are individual and beautifully decorated to provide a relaxing and memorable environment for guests.  In addition to the plantation house there is a wonderful 2 bedroom studio set high on the hill overlooking the lake and at the edge of a cinnamon plantation which was originally planted in the 18th century.  Cinnamon Hill provides guests with the ultimate in privacy and serenity with its own indoor and outdoor living area and complete with its own butler.
At Lunuganga the chefs offer contemporary gourmet cuisine with with a focus on the highest quality ingredients fresh from the local markets each day.  the 3-course dinner menu changes daily.  The cuisine is predominantly seafood with a strong Asian and Mediterranean influences.

The Island comprises of 2½ acres of sheer tropical fantasy with nothing between it and the South Pole.  Keeping to the original design the villa, which nests atop the island and stands guard over Weligame Bay, has been beautifully and stylishly restored.  The views from the island are magnificent and there can be no better way to start the day than to plunge into the Indian Ocean for a morning dip before breakfast on the terrace.
There are 5 en-suite bedrooms all with four poster beds, plus spacious living areas, balconies, verandas, tropical gardens and a stunning infinity pool.  The island's chef provides delicious tropical cuisine with a focus on the freshest  of local ingredients and the rest of the staff cater for guests every need; so much so that guests frequently never leave the island until its time to depart.

The Dutch House, Bandarawela                                             Back to the top

Highly exclusive with only four suites this country house built in 1712 ensures complete privacy for its guests.  The suites combine absolute grandeur with the utmost comfort.  Filled with colonial antiques, the interiors evoke a pervasive mood of stillness and warmth which is at once romantic and relaxing.  The bedrooms all with four poster beds and luxurious silt drapes lead into a private sitting room which contains comfortable sofas and writing desks.  Spacious bathrooms are fitted with fine showers and traditional claw-footed bath tubs which add to the colonial atmosphere.
Spacious living areas, an English tropical garden, complete with croquet lawn and treetop infinity pool, provide ample space for guests to find a quiet area in which to truly unwind.  The discreet and friendly staff ensure your privacy yet provide a very relaxes and unpretentious atmosphere.
Bandarawela is famous for its healthy climate and is the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday or as a base for touring the southern hill country.