Location: Orchard House is
a restored 18th century colonial-style villa situated within
the walls of the historic Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO protected
World Heritage site on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. This
four-bedroom villa offers a perfect location for exploring
the ancient history within the Galle Fort as well as the town
beyond with its multiethnic mix of communities. The journey
from Colombo’s International Airport will take approximately
3.5 hours - or take the Air Taxi and fly to Koggala, which
is a 15-minute drive From Galle Fort.
Description: Orchard House – named
after the villa’s enclosed gardens – has recently
been renovated by a leading Australian designer. Enter through
the unassuming main doorway to a spacious living area and
a long courtyard full of lush greenery, which is the main
focus of all the bedrooms. A pillared pavilion perfect for
al fresco dining and a small swimming pool are located at
the back of the property. White dominates this villa –
corridors, pillars, and even floors are white with only the
soft furnishings and ornaments adding vibrant colour. The
villa is furnished with antique Dutch-period four-poster beds,
Almairahs, tables and comfortable planters chairs –
furniture that belongs in this historical setting.
Accommodation: Orchard House has four a/c
bedrooms opening out to the central courtyard and garden.
The ensuite bathrooms have h/w showers. Three double bedrooms
are furnished with large four poster antique beds and one
with twin beds. Rooms are also equipped with overhead fans.
Facilities: There are living and dining areas,
a well-equipped kitchen with modern appliances, a den with
comfortable lounging furniture, TV and CD player. A separate
library-cum-study is located at the front of the villa. Both
Western dishes and Sri Lankan rice and curry are served here.
Discuss your menus with the cook and he will ensure that delicious
meals are prepared with vegetables and fresh seafood available
locally. Accompany him if you wish to the local market to
select your own ingredients. Orchard House has an English-speaking
manager, housekeeper, cook and gardener – all of whom
are obliging and helpful. Any specific requirements can be
discussed with the manager who also has a tuk-tuk (trishaw)
for your use.
Excursions: Hours can be spent exploring
the Galle Fort, founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese
and thereafter developed by the Dutch. Encompassing around
90 acres of land, the Fort is surrounded by a massive stonewall
and still retains many of the old buildings, including the
Supreme Court of the Southern Province with legal offices
and other Government departments. The clock tower, lighthouse,
Dutch Protestant church and the ramparts are all architectural
monuments. Life within the Galle Fort has a vibrant mix of
cultures and lifestyles. Walk along the narrow streets studded
with interesting nooks and corners to explore including shops,
eateries, mosques, temples, churches and several newly renovated
boutique hotels with fine-dining restaurants. By dusk, watch
the beautiful sunset at the ramparts. For those wanting the
sun and surf, the closest beaches are Unawatuna and the popular
coral-protected Wijeya beach. The beautiful Indian Ocean beaches
of Hikkaduwa and Mirissa – offering swimming, snorkelling
and surfing – are also nearby.
Pricing:
Rates for 2006
- 2007 - (Villa Only) |
| 01 Sept |
to 31 Oct |
:£214 |
per night |
| 01 Nov |
to 09 Dec |
:£322 |
per night |
| 10 Dec |
to 08 Jan |
:£348 |
per night |
| 09 Jan |
to 30 Apr |
:£322 |
per night |
