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The Galle Fort provides the dramatic back drop to the Galle
Stadium and will be the place to stay during the First Test.
The Fort walls hold some of the island’s best boutique
accommodation, and exploring the alleyways you will find a selection
of wonderful shops and cafes. A 2 minute stroll from the stadium
means you can escape to your hotel pool in the lunch break.
| Galle
Fort Hotel, Galle |
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 The
renovation of Galle Fort Hotel, which began life
as an 18C Dutch villa, has been recognised as a
triumph, with a string of prestigious awards. Australian-run,
it offers colonial splendour without the stuffiness,
as well as magnificent accommodation in the heart
of one of Sri Lanka’s most historic locations.
It could not be more convenient -- it is only five
minutes stroll through the old town to the cricket.
The price is based upon a full-board deal at a hotel
with an excellent gastronomic reputation, but we
may be able to negotiate BB on request.
£245 (Loft Suite total / night, 2
people on FB)
BB deal available on request |
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| Fort
Printers, Galle |
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 Fort
Printers is a small boutique villa-cum-hotel, converted
in 2005, which can be booked either exclusively
or by the room. It lies in the heart of the Dutch
forth and has five strikingly stylish rooms combining
a wealth of Asian, European and Oriental styles.
A small property that bears comparison with the
best that Galle can offer. Cracking value - five
minutes stroll from the ground |
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£103 room only
(Twin / night) |
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On the fringes of Galle, Red Dot can offer a selection of the
finest boutique hotels that offer exceptional levels of intimate
comfort and luxury close to the cricket.
| Illuketia,
nr Galle |
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| Illuketia
is an impressive and spacious estate house set amid
hillside palm trees and bamboo groves, barely 10
minutes inland from Galle. It began life as a plantation
house more than a century ago and was meticulously
restored. in the early 1990s. |
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£102 (Water lily
/ night, BB) |
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| The
Dutch House, Galle |
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 The
Dutch house is the sister property of the Sun House,
which is but a gentle stroll away. This historic
mansion, restored into an exquisite property, reeks
of old colonial elegance in its private and public
rooms. A large garden leads down to an infinity
pool with fine views over Galle. |
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£224 per room
(Twin / night BB) |
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| Fortress,
Koggala |
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| The
Fortress is a new boutique hotel with a prime location
on the broad sands of Koggala, only a few miles
south of the historic city of Galle on the southern
coast of Sri Lanka. The hotel, which opened in 2006,
is managed by the world-renowned Per Aquum Resorts
& Spas, a group most famous for their luxurious
properties in the Maldives and Seychelles. |
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£181 per
room (twin / night BB) |
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| Sun
House, Galle |
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 Built
in the 1860s and renovated at the start of the 21st
century, The Sun House has been praised as a "six-room
jewel of a hotel.'' It overlooks the harbour of
Galle, the fortified south-coast town that is fast
gaining a reputation as a haven for the discerning
traveller. |
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£118 per room
(Twin / night BB) |
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| Apa
Villas, Thalpe (near Galle) |
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Just
down the coast from Galle, overlooking a beautiful
coral beach, Apa Villas exudes taste and style.
It was named after Hans Hoefer, the founder of the
Apa Guides – later to become the Insight Guides
– and his photographer’s eye has ensured
a building of great beauty.
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£148 per room
(Twin / night BB) |
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Red Dot can also recommend a number of luxury boutique villas
at stunning beach locations near to Galle. Get the best of both
worlds, combining an idyllic beach holiday with test match cricket
nearby. Alternativley you could take a villa in the atmospheric
Galle Fort – within walking distance to the cricket.
| Ambalama,
Dahawela |
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| Ambalama,
located 7km south of historic Galle on Dahawela
beach, is a newly built stylish beach villa on a
pristine beach. The villa has four bedroom suites
situated either side of a Balanese tiled pool with
infinity edge. Enter the house across stepping-stones
over a water pool and into an open plan sitting
dining area. White terrazzo floors and high ceiling
encourages cool airflow. Large teak double doors
lead directly to the pool with uninterrupted views
of the beach and Indian Ocean. |
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| Dalip
House, 11km from Galle |
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| A
newly-built villa with a Balanese influence. Timber
shutters reveal views over the garden towards the
Indian Ocean. A large beach is devoid of tourists,
but the sea needs respect here. |
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| Orchard
House, Galle Fort |
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| 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 to Orchard House from the Katunayake
International Airport will take approximately 3.5
hours - or take the Sri Lankan Air Taxi and fly
to Koggala, which is a 15-minute drive away. The
beautiful Indian Ocean beaches of Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna,
Wijeya and Mirissa – offering swimming, snorkeling
and surfing – are nearby. |
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| The
Malabar House, Galle Fort |
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| A
recently restored town house with a small courtyard
and pool. Tastefully furnished with pieces from
all over Asia, the house is perfect for families.
Close to the Ramparts and small beaches that are
great for a morning dip. |
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The Whole Property £242
(BB) |
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| Kahanda
Kanda, Koggala Lake |
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| It
is often said that the interior of a country is
where its true spirit lies. Kahanda Kanda (Yellow
Moon), set in a 10-acre tea estate perched high
above Koggala Lake, argues the case persuasively.
Yet this rural retreat remains highly convenient
for the coast: Galle remains only 9kms away –
and the beaches are even closer. |
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£134 per room
(Twin / night BB) |
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| Ambassadors,
Galle |
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Ambassadors
is an extremely spacious five-bedroom villa that
has been carefully restored and refurbished by its
English owners. Enter through a small roadside gate
to see a small tropical garden filled with green
palms and frangipani and see a front terrace lined
with colonial white pillars. The main sitting room,
an entirely separate structure to the main house,
is enormous with beautiful high ceilings to ensure
a comfortable cool climate, comfortable cushioned
sofas and some exquisite antiques. The property
stretches back a long way from the road to a central
dining area next to a smart and well-designed kitchen.
The property also has a swimming pool.
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£301 / night for
entire villa |
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Unawatuna is a beautiful cove, 10 minutes drive in the back
of a trishaw from Galle. Along the golden beach, Red Dot has
a wide selection of mid range and beach cabana style accommodation.
Lots of good seafood restaurants and lively beach bars.
| Thambapanni Retreat |
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Thambapanni
is built into a steep, wooded hillside, has an eco
feel more attuned to the hill country, yet lies
only 300 metres away from the sandy bay of Unawatana.
That rare thing: a natural, wooded setting on a
beautiful coastline.
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£52 per room (Twin
/ night BB) |
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| Sun
and Sea Guesthouse, Galle |
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| For
any years, the irrepressible nature of Mrs Perera
ensured the enduring popularity of this thriving
beachside property. She has now passed away, but
has left behind a small beachside guest house full
of memories and rich in character. Simple bottom-floor
rooms have had a boutique makeover. Upstairs rooms
remain basic, so keeping faith with a loyal budget
clientele. There is good food at excellent prices
and a stunning view across the beautiful, sandy
bay of Unawatuna. |
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£46 per room (Twin
/ night BB) |
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| The
Villa, Galle |
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 Unawatana
Beach has long been heralded as one of the most
picturesque stretches of coastline in Asia. The
Villa, with its white walls and wooden shutters,
offers arguably the best and most individualistic
accommodation on the beach strip. A high-class guest
house with a loyal clientele.
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£42 per room (Twin
/ night BB) |
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| Thaproban,
Galle |
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This
is one of the favourite eating spots for a largely
youthful crowd that is attracted to Unawatuna by
its beautiful horseshoe bay. But this compact, colonial-style
building also offers reliable, good-value accommodation
only yards from the beach.
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£30 per room (Twin / night BB) |
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| Flower
Garden, Unawatuna |
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| Flower
Garden in Unawatuna bay offers mid-sized, value
for money, personable accommodation in one of Sri
Lanka’s youngest and happening locations.
Home to the largest pool in Unawatuna and serving
excellent Sri Lankan cuisine in its restaurant this
hotel has a relaxed and easy-going vibe. The rooms
are all simple, comfortable and spacious whilst
the cabana style bungalows come recommended. |
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£52 per room (Twin
/ night BB) |
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| The
Palace, Mirissa |
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 The
Palace’s charm is its idyllic location, high
up on a headland with sweeping views of Mirissa’s
golden beach. It provides no frills accommodation
in spacious wooden cabanas, all of which have lovely
verandas overlooking the Indian Ocean and a lush
garden. |
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£44 per room (Twin /
night BB) |
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| Insight,
Ahangama |
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| A
few kilometres along the coast road from Unawatuna
is Insight, a simplistic but charming hotel. The
33 rooms are clean and comfortable and the atmosphere
relaxed. The hanger-roofed restaurant and bar areas
are airy and open, the food is perfectly sound without
being spectacular, the beachside swimming pool is
a decent size, and the sandy tropical beach and
collection of stilt fisherman are a stunning backdrop. |
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£27 per room (Twin / night BB) |
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Hikkaduwa is regarded as Sri Lanka’s party capital. This
glorious stretch of beach is 20 minutes drive from Galle and
will accommodate a large portion of the ‘Barmy Army’
crowd.
| Amaya
Reef (formerly known as The Reef) |
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| The
Reef’s successful refurbishment tells of Hikkaduwa’s
new-found confidence. Its 54 bedrooms are bright
and simple, its swimming pool lies alongside a golden
beach, and it exudes contentment. A good-value traditional
hotel. |
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£51
per room (Twin / night BB) |
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| Hikkaduwa Beach
Hotel, Hikkaduwa |
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| The
hotel has undergone a recent refurbishment and now
offers comfortable accommodation for those enjoying
the Hikkaduwa strip. The rooms are bright, well
fitted and air conditioned. There is the added bonus
of an outdoor swimming pool making the Hikkaduwa
Beach Hotel a good value choice among those staying
in the region. |
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£30 per room (Twin
/ night BB) |
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| Cinnamon Gardens,
Hikkaduwa |
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 Enthusiastic
English owners have brought a bright and sociable
feel to an old colonial beachfront property. This
small independent hotel has a great location and
offers an unfussy and relaxed base in one of Sri
Lanka’s livelier coastal villages. |
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£18 per room (Twin / night BB) |
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| Sunils Guest House,
Hikkaduwa |
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 Sunils
has a wonderful location -- on a magnificent stretch
of Hikkaduwa beach -- and for those unwilling to
wander as far as the beach it also has one of the
bounciest, brightest swimming pools in Hikkaduwa.
The demanding traveller might conclude that it is
a touch threadbare and old-fashioned, but the spacious
rooms offer great value. All Red Dot's rooms have
sea view and a/c. |
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£17 per room (Twin
/ night BB) |
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| Villa Kusum, Dodanduwa,
Hikkaduwa |
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| Villa
Kusum is an engaging beachside villa lying in the
coastal village of Dodunduwa, midway between the
historic town of Galle and the buzzy beach resort
of Hikkaduwa. This charmingly individualistic property
offers some of the swankiest beach accommodation
around Hikkaduwa and looks over a peaceful, sandy
beach. It has four bedrooms -- two suites and two
rooms -- all ensuite, and can be booked in whole
or in part. |
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£322 (villa per night
/ BB. 7 night minimum) |
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We don't recommend travelling as far north as Bentota, which
demands a one-hour journey. But if you are prepared to travel
between 35-45 minutes for a spot of serenity, away from the
clamour of the Barmy Army, we have three enviable properties.
The Heritence in Ahungalla (30 mins north of Galle) is five-star
luxury - and has been grabbed by Sky TV. Kosgoda, a little further
up the coast, has two enviable properties - the tranquil mid-market
Kosgoda Beach and the welcoming budget hideaway, Garden Beach
Hotel.
| Garden Beach Hotel,
Kosgoda |
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 Garden
Beach Hotel has an enviable location. It is one
of only two hotels on the turtle beach at Kosgoda,
where turtles regularly come ashore to lay their
eggs. This small hotel has a gleamingly modern feel,
and if facilities are limited, it priides itself
in attentive personal service. |
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£24 per twin room
per night |
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| The
Heritence (Previously known as "The Triton"),
Ahungalla |
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| The
Heritence stands alone on a prized expanse of sandy
beach at Ahungalla, midway between Bentota and Hikkaduwa,
on Sri Lanka's west coast. It set new standards
in Sri Lanka by becoming the first five-star hotel
outside Colombo. More than 20 years on, its values
remain high. |
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