Location:
41 Lighthouse Street is a beautifully renovated
300-year-old Dutch house in the centre of Galle’s
17th century Dutch Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Designed by a leading Sri Lanka architect and interior
designer, this three bedroomed villa is centrally located
to explore Galle Fort, the surrounding beaches, and the
vibrant southern heritage. There are several cafés,
boutique shops and restaurants located nearby. The journey
from Colombo’s International Airport will take approximately
4 hours - or take the Air Taxi and fly to Koggala, which
is a 15-minute drive to Galle Fort.
Description:
Behind the tasteful, yet anonymous, entrance of
41 Lighthouse Street is one of the Fort’s largest
houses and a true private sanctuary. Stepping into the villa,
a proud entrance greets you still with the original black
and white chequered tiles of the early 17th century Portuguese
owners. Once through the front section of the house, you
enter the large, bright courtyard, a space for sunbathing,
alfresco dining and refreshing swims in the exquisite pool.
The sheltered gazebo in the corner of the high-walled courtyard
is a meditative idyll, complete with twin turtles in two
small ponds. The whole of 41 Lighthouse has been finished
to the highest standards with many personal touches giving
the house a homely feel. This is one of the leading private
villas within the Fort.
Accommodation:
The house has three suites, two upstairs, one downstairs
with private balconies over looking the pool and gardens.
The master bedroom contains a magnificent four-poster bed
as well as an additional refined living area with beautiful
teak parquet flooring and cozy, deep-cushioned sofas. The
three double bedrooms come complete with soft, white linen
sheets, fitted mosquito nets, air-conditioning and lavish
en-suite bathrooms. The master bedroom boasts a magnificent
giant-sized copper-plated bath and an iPod compatible music
system.
Facilities:
The front section of the villa contains four huge open-plan
rooms with exposed beams and high archways that lead your
gaze from one end of the house to the other. The four rooms
are split into a library/study, a pool-table room, living
area and dining room with bar, all of course are decorated
and furnished sumptuously. The living and library areas
are perfect for those quiet, contemplative moments whilst
the pool-table room and 16-seat dining room are ideal for
holding a buzzing party. There are two dining areas, on
the terrace for breakfasts and alfresco lunches and under
cover for dinner on a splendid teak table. The living area’s
huge white couches provide a perfect place to read a book
or sip an early evening drink whilst being accompanied by
some music courtesy of the iPod compatible stereo. There
is also WiFi internet access, a 28inch LCD TV and DVD player
incase you fancy a quiet afternoon in, or need to entertain
the kids. The whole property is furnished with furniture
and artwork hand-picked from Indonesia, Bali, Kerala and
Sri Lanka. The kitchen is well equipped. Those who are less
culinary-inclined can sit back and let the house staff serve-up
wonderful breakfasts and Sri Lankan specialties. There is
a well stocked bar and wine list from which guests can order
their drinks. The houseboy who is also an excellent cook,
will look after you during your stay, serving drinks and
even doing all your shopping. 'Wanita', the cleaner, will
be on hand every day to do laundry and clean the rooms.
A nanny can also be hired.
Excursions:
Galle Fort is incomparable to anywhere else in
Sri Lanka. Entering through the 'new' English gate or the
'old' Dutch gate is akin to stepping into a different realm.
Within, 600 houses, each with various degrees of renovation
to their original Dutch architecture, crowd narrow, winding
streets with individual, old world charm. The thick, high
ramparts that protect and distinguish the Fort are today
used for romantic evening strolls, early morning power-walks
and convenient viewpoints to catch the sweaty action of
local 'village' cricket games and the international games
held in the adjacent Galle cricket stadium. A number of
small beaches that is suitable for morning swims are a walk
away just outside the fort, whilst some of Sri Lanka’s
best sunbathing beaches are only a short tri-shaw ride away.
Guest comments:
'Galle Fort’s most lavish villa'
Harpers and Queen
'A truly wonderful house that we shall surely be returning
to soon.'
CA, London (Guest)
Pricing:
Rates for -
2008
1 room (Max - 2 pax) - Villa only |
| 01 Feb |
to 30 Nov |
:£77 |
per night |
