Location: The Garden House is a delightful
planter’s bungalow situated in the southern village
of Ginigala, approximately 15 kms away from the historic
city of Galle. This villa captures the essence of Sri Lanka
within its one-and-a-half acres of gardens, full of brightly
coloured blooms, trees heavy with mango and bananas, exotic
birds flitting about, and luminous green paddy fields –
a tropical oasis where life is unhurried. The journey to
The Garden House from the Katunayake International Airport
will take approximately 4 hours - or take the Sri Lankan
Air Taxi which lands on the nearby Koggala Lake. The beautiful
south coast beaches of Ahangama and Unawatuna, just 10 minutes
away, offer safe swimming and snorkeling.
Description: This 1870's bungalow has been
carefully renovated and restored retaining the local architectural
features of courtyards and verandahs, high ceilings and
large airy rooms, all of which lets the outside in. Plenty
of fresh air and tropical sun makes the Garden House a comfortable
and tranquil retreat. The large covered terrace, overlooking
the infinity pool and the paddy fields beyond, is perfect
for hours of relaxation and peaceful contemplation. There
is also a comfortable Garden Cottage situated amidst tropical
foliage overlooking the pool that can be rented separately.
The Garden House and the cottage can comfortably accommodate
ten guests and is ideal for a families or friends traveling
together. It is also a perfect backdrop for a special event
– a romantic wedding or an anniversary celebration:
a place to create memories and come back to time and again.
Accommodation: There are four ensuite double bedrooms
in the main villa that can accommodate eight guests and
one ensuite double room in the Cottage for two more guests.
Bookings are accepted for individual rooms or the entire
villa and the Garden Cottage. The rooms are well furnished
and combine style with comfort. Each of the rooms has their
own private balconies with dramatic views of the gardens
and paddy fields. One bedroom is airconditoned while the
other has overhead ceiling fans to keep the rooms cool and
airy. The floors are a mixture of cooling polished cement
in the communal areas and original Jak wood boards in the
bedrooms. The ensuite bathrooms have h/c water showers,
sink and w/c.
The Garden Room: This ensuite
double room has a private verandah with a garden, overhead
ceiling fan as well as airconditioning.
Allamanda & Araliya rooms:
Located on the first floor, these two double rooms have
balconies and overhead fan.
Hibiscus Suite: This is a loft
style high vaulted bedroom with overhead fan. This suite
has a living area and dressing room.
The Garden Cottage: This spacious
open-plan, self-contained cottage has a large verandah overlooking
the garden and swimming pool, a sitting room, ensuite double
bedroom, dressing room and kitchen. Overhead fans help to
keep the cottage cool and airy.
Facilities: The tastefully furnished living
room, study, and dining room are located on the ground floor,
which opens out to the surrounding terraces and gardens.
Al fresco dining on the terrace overlooking the infinity
pool is perfect for moonlit tropical nights. If you prefer
to do your own cooking, a well equipped kitchen with all
the modern day conveniences is available, or you can choose
to relax and let the in-house chef prepare tasty western
dishes or Sri Lankan rice and curry using locally available
fruit, vegetables and fresh sea food. The gardens are filled
with numerous varieties of fruits, flowers and numerous
species of birds. The Garden House is a place for restoring
balance between your mind and body. Guided meditation, Yoga
and Ayurveda massage are all offered for those interested
in holistic health and well-being. The villa comes fully
staffed with an experienced English-speaking manager supported
by a housekeeper, chef and outdoor staff who are all very
helpful.
Excursions: Set in a rural village, this
is an ideal location to experience village life. Walk down
the road and have a cup of tea at the corner boutique where
you can also enjoy a king coconut while reading the daily
newspapers. Visit one of many serene Buddhist temples nearby.
15 kms away is the Dutch Fort in Galle with its well-preserved
ramparts overlooking the cricket stadium, lighthouse and
the narrow streets which contain an interesting array of
antique shops, restaurants and boutique hotels. Visit the
tea estates of Dandeniya with its low country tea plantations
and factory. The tropical rainforest of Sinharajah makes
for a fun day trip. For beach lovers, there is Unawatuna,
Weligama, Mirissa, and Tangalle – all beautiful Indian
Ocean beaches ideal for sunbathers, swimmers, and surfers.
Snorkeling, diving and boating can be arranged.
Rates: Available on request
