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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
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The Owl and the Pussycat is a boutique beachside hotel, near Galle on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Inspired by the iconic Edward Lear poem The Owl and the Pussycat, leading property developers Reita Gadkari and Shane Thantirimudlige created a luxurious place based on the poem's theme of friendship and adventure. Overlooking the Indian Ocean at Thalpe and only 15-minute tuk-tuk ride from Galle, it forms an excellent base from which to explore the southern coast.
Beautifully designed by renowned architect Uday Dhar, the Owl and the Pussycat features just 17 rooms and suites. All are spacious, are elegantly decorated in vibrant colours and have excellent bathrooms with walk-in showers. All rooms have air-conditioning, balconies and sea views though top floor rooms enjoy most light and best views. Thoughtful touches include good tea- and coffee-making equipment and a TV in the room is available on request.
The in-house restaurant, The Runcible Spoon offers excellent menu created by an ex- Gordon Ramsay Chef who elegantly fuses Sri Lankan and Mediterranean cuisine. The hotel offers water sports and can arrange boat excursions for whale watching or scuba diving. A short drive southeast is Koggala lake and the ‘Sea Turtle Farm & Hatchery’ where you can see the endangered Hawksbill turtle. While to the west is the historic Galle Fort.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomFitness CentreGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableYoga Classes/Instruction On SiteStay Owl and The Pussycat has just 17 rooms and suites. The air-conditioned suites combine privacy of apartment living with the luxury of concierge service. Bedrooms are a contemporary mix of polished concrete, cool calicoes and handcrafted details. Expect veranda or balcony with panoramic sea views and eye-catching artwork, vibrant colours and vivid prints. All suites have an open-plan kitchen and spacious living area, as well as a hanging chair on the balcony.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Owl and The Pussycat but there are no specific facilities available for children.
Dine The Owl and The Pussycat has an open-air restaurant-cum-bar by the sea where you can enjoy delicately-spiced cocktails next to the waves and live jazz at weekends. Indoors, is Runcible Spoon, a small air-conditioned restaurant whose head chef has worked under Gordon Ramsay and successfully fuses local cuisine with Indian and Mediterranean. Meals are served on the elegant dining terrace and can be accompanied by a bottle of wine from the hotel's extensive wine cellar.
Relax Guests at the Owl and The Pussycat can unwind in the beautiful 17-metre swimming pool, set on the ocean-edge or take a fabulous seaside massage while listening to the sound of the waves. Recline on your private terrace or settle down in the Beach Shack for a Sri Lankan twist on classic cocktails. Guests have the options to enjoy the rolling surf on the rocky reef or explore the lush greenery in the surrounds. Early morning yoga classes are available on request.
Experience Thalpe and Dalawela are becoming increasingly popular with visitors turned off by the crowded beaches of Unawatuna. Guests at Owl and The Pussycat can now enjoy an array of water sports including sailing, surfing, diving and paddle-boarding one these pristine beaches. A short tuk tuk drive to the north is Galle, the 17th-century fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelling inland, you can visit Koggala lake, beautiful temples and tea/cinnamon plantations.
Location Owl and The Pussycat is located in the town of Talpe about 3-4 hours from Colombo in Sri Lanka. The hotel is a short 7km Tuc tuc ride from the historic Galle Fort.
Getting there Fly to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. From there it is a 2 hr 15 min drive, 159km to Owl and The Pussycat.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. There are two monsoon seasons but they only bring rain to the west and south-west coasts from May to September; and the east coast and northern region between October and February. The rest of the year is sunny and dry but the months of December to April are probably the best time to visit. Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have an average temperature of 27°C.
Destination
West & South, Sri Lanka
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