Thambili House, South Coast, Sri Lanka

Take a seat on the master bedroom terrace as you enjoy your morning coffee and watch the joggers pound the rampart walls, a cow search for grass or a little boy fly his kite. Do it all again in the evening over a gin and tonic as the sun sinks majestically into the sea. This time, strolling couples and spirited cricketers have arrived to play out their role in this daily scene.

Dating back to around the 1850s, Thambili House sits within the walls of Galle Fort, home to a small but eclectic community steeped in history and creative talent. A maze of tight streets host small cafés and tiny boutiques selling jewellery and collectables alongside residential houses in various states of decay and renovation. Families going back generations live side by side with a new wave of expats establishing their holiday homes.    

Escape the bustling daily life of Galle Fort by descending behind the high walls of the villa to the tranquillity of open courtyards sprouting giant coconut or Thambili (after which the villa is named), covered terraces and a delightful swimming pool. Completely rebuilt in 2004 under the watchful eye of local architect Rohan Aluwihara, the villa offers three air-conditioned bedrooms with modern bathrooms and an open living room dominated by a pool table, which spills onto a pair of courtyards (front and back) furnished for dining. Expect to be pampered by the delightful cooking of the in-house chef, Harsha, who also handles all the shopping (on guest account) at the local markets (you are encouraged to join him), and prepare to be charmed by the low-key service from Rizan who looks after the house. Trips to local beaches, of which there are many, tea and spice plantations and to experience a host of handiworks, craft making and other facets of Sri Lankan life that make it so enticing, can all be arranged by the villa manager as can spa treatments – either in house or at one of the local spas.

Thambili House is to the south end of Galle Fort wedged between Lighthouse Street, which runs north to south from the main gate, and Rampart Street, which follows the west walls protecting residents from the crashing Indian Ocean. To the north is Pedlar Street, with its small cafés and boutiques. Galle Fort is a truly magical place to stay. As a temporary resident, you will join the glittering ranks of merchants, traders, colonialists and foreign nationals who have all come and left their indelible mark on this historic UNESCO heritage seventeenth century Dutch bastion.

Listen from your window for the call to prayer from the mosque or the chanting from the Buddhist temple. Wander down narrow streets and ponder at the colonial architecture; delicate fretwork, magnificent columns and never-ending red-tiled roofs. The wide grassy western ramparts are a five minute walk from your doorstep. There are also a couple of interesting museums showcasing the fort’s rich history as well as plenty of boutiques selling handicrafts, delicate lacework, glittering gems and other evocative souvenirs.

Rather than negotiating the imposing double gates on Rampart Street, most people enter Thambili House via the rear door on Lighthouse Street. This entrance takes you past the staff quarters and kitchen and into a private walled courtyard dominated by an enticing oval swimming pool. To the far side of the courtyard is the main three-storey building with a broad colonnaded terrace for lounging and dining. A corridor leads into the villa from here, and passes a downstairs shower room and service kitchen/bar on its way into a large open plan living area dominated by a blue pool table, squashy sage sofas and tall columns. Semi-formal lounge seating, a desk and a dresser brimming with books complete the furniture. Three large studded double-doors fold back from the living room to reveal a front courtyard (and the villa’s front entrance), the focus of which is a king coconut tree leaning through the tall boundary walls. In the shade of a neighbouring frangipani tree is a circular terrazzo table and benches, which is perfect for informal drinks.    

A sweeping timber staircase leads to a first floor lounge complete with TV and DVD player, off which is the master suite (Nutmeg) and a children’s room (Ginger). The master suite is equipped with a king-size bed, floor to ceiling fitted cupboards and a delightful bathroom with sunken bath. The highlight though is a wide balcony offering expansive views of the fort ramparts and the Indian Ocean beyond. The children’s room with two singles and a king-size four-poster bed, plus an ensuite shower room, has a balcony looking east over the courtyard pool. A second staircase from the TV lounge takes you into the eaves of the house where there is a final guest bedroom (Cinnamon) with a king-size four-poster and ensuite shower. All the bedrooms are independently air-conditioned and all beds have mosquito netting.

 

Standard deposit policy

• In order to have a booking confirmed you must make deposit payment as outlined in Private Homes & Villas Booking Terms and Conditions unless special conditions are indicated for the period you are booking. The standard deposits are:

  -          For rentals beginning more than 60 days after the date of your booking request - a deposit of 50% of the total rental amount is payable.

  -          For rentals beginning 60 days or less after the date of your booking request - the total rental amount is payable as a deposit.  

Standard cancellation policy

• In the event of cancellation, penalties as outlined in Private Homes & Villas Booking Terms and Conditions apply unless special conditions are indicated for the period you are booking.
• It is strongly recommended that you purchase trip cancellation travel insurance.

Rates

• Prices may change based on the time of your booking, arrival date and length of stay. For exact rates please click on the Check Availability button and enter your dates.
• Whilst every effort is made to keep rates current. They are subject to change from time to time. If there is a rate change you will be informed before a booking is confirmed.
• Confirmed booking rates will not change.

Security deposit

• Upon arrival at the villa you may be required to pay a security deposit. The security deposit, if applicable, will be returned to you prior to departure less any extra charges or costs for accidental damage to the property.

Check in/out

• Check in – 3.00pm, Check out - 10.00am
• Late check outs up to 6.00pm may incur a half day charge, after 6.00pm a full day may be charged.
• Every effort will be made to accommodate other check in/out times but will depend on availability.

Private Homes & Villas full Booking Terms and Conditions are available here.