Aditya is a beachfront ethnic-chic boutique hotel, set between Galle and Hikkaduwa in southwest Sri Lanka. The hotel overlooks Rathgama Beach, a salmon-orange spray of sand popular with the local crowd at sunset. The beach is a little rough for swimming but you can bathe in the ocean a few miles north at Hikkaduwa, a sprawling beach resort with a surfing vibe whose wide sands are dotted with café-style restaurants, dive outfits and late-night bars.
The Fort Bazaar is a stylish boutique hotel, set within the ramparts of the historic Dutch Galle Fort, on Sri Lanka’s southwestern coast. Situated on Church Street, one of the Fort’s photogenic cobblestone thoroughfares, this 17th-Century townhouse was once a former merchant’s mansion. Now fully renovated, it effortlessly blends contemporary and Moorish style with a sense of history of the place that was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th-century.
Amangalla is a historic hotel located within the walls of the historic Galle Fort. The 17th-century Dutch fort is a collection of Colonial buildings including Amangalla, that offers discerning travellers a distinctive experience of modern-day comforts within its 300-year-old heritage building. Many original features such as the teakwood-floors have been carefully restored and rooms furnished with a charming mix of antiques and faithful colonial reproductions.
20 Middle Street is an opulent villa, set within the ramparts of the historic Galle Fort in Sri Lanka. Built in the mid-18th-century, it was likely a Dutch merchant's house and still emanates its historical grandeur. Now carefully renovated, it has retained its original features of columns, arches, verandas, teak windows with shutters, and high timber roofs. Occupying a prime location, it is within easy walking distance to Galle Fort and the breathtaking beaches of Unawatuna.
The 23 Palm is a beachfront villa, set outside the fishing village of Talpe near Galle, in southern Sri Lanka. Designed along the lines of a Dutch period bungalow with high roofs, arched doorways, columns and verandas, it is steps from an almost private beach where fishermen on stilts anticipate their daily catch. Owned by the operators of nearby Why House and beautifully maintained by a full-time 4-member staff, it’s a perfect holiday home for the exclusive use by families or small groups.
41 Lighthouse Street is a luxurious villa, set within the heart of Galle Fort, in Southern Sri Lanka. Built in the mid 1800's, during the Dutch colonial era, it was in a derelict condition when the present owner, then a bachelor found the property and decided to develop it as a "chill out" pad for friends and guests. Now painfully renovated by Sri Lanka’s RA designers, it has retained its original charm and exudes a combination of classic luxury, natural beauty and modern comfort.
The Fort Printers is a charming boutique hotel, set at the heart of Galle, on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. The mansion traces its origin to the Dutch period but substantial additions were made in the English era after 1796, including high ceilings and large windows. Over the last two centuries it housed a college and then a printing company. Now fully refurbished, it provides a comfortable base for travellers from which to explore the Galle Fort, its surrounding countryside and beaches.
Tri is a firebrand health retreat, set on the palm-shaded banks of Lake Koggala in the south of Sri Lanka. This is a project of passion from British owner Rob Drummond and his wife, Lara Baumann, while the swirling symmetry of Tri was masterminded by Raefer Wallis, of Shanghai’s A00 Architects. Rob is big on sustainability, so walls are clad in cinnamon and living roofs planted with creepers while recycled woods and stripped cinnamon branches are utilised as a design element.
Galle Face Hotel, is Colombo’s iconic landmark, situated on a seafront, facing the famous Galle Face Green. Established in 1864, it was recently refurbished and modern luxuries added with its original old Victorian features. The old wing retains its wonderful colonial architecture with rooms, large enough to take a stroll, many with windows overlooking Galle face green and the Indian Ocean. Furnished with furniture from the 1800s, you really feel like it is a blast from the past.
The Fortress near Galle is a small, luxury, boutique resort. The two-storey Dutch Fort structure, is located on Koggala beach minutes from Galle. Accessed by the nearly 8m arched wooden doors – a massive piece of workmanship – a magnificent view opens; through the open lobby, across the infinity pool, onto the glorious Indian Ocean. Inside are five distinctive styles of guest rooms and residences with a naturally modern twist.
