Charming Courtyard House

Description from the owner

A truly delightful courtyard house in Galle in Sri Lanka with a large swimming pool. No one comes comes to this house without loving it. Close to Galle Fort and Unawatuna. Tropical, green and lovely. Staff available to serve breakfast and lunch. Delicious breakfast included. Try fresh fruit and buffalo curd. Or bacon and eggs with fresh eggs from our own chickens.

This is a charming example of a period house from the colonial era. It is set around an internal courtyard and pond with tropical fish, turtles and a sweet scented frangipani tree at its center. It has been tastefully restored by the Hempel Family who have been living there... for the last seven years. It is just 10 mins from Galle Fort and fifteen minutes from Unawatuna and the beaches of Thalpe. The house is surrounded by a lush tropical garden which is a bird watchers paradise. Monkeys, mongoose, monitor lizards and squirrels dart amongst the trees. Whether having a lazy breakfast of Nalani’s delicious egg hoppers, or a long lunch of Sri Lankan curry, sambals and chutneys, (all from local produce or catch of the day) this is a place to relax and unwind. The open dining room faces onto the jungle, where women collecting firewood and buffalo stroll past. The house with its internal courtyard and pond is designed along the lines of a Buddhist mandala.

Guests can swim in our 50 ft swimming pool or at Thalpe beach just fifteen minutes away. If you are feeling more active the shops, restaurants and hotels of UNESCO world heritage protected Galle Fort are just ten minutes away while the surf beaches are within 20 to 30 minutes.

At sunset, stroll through village streets, past corner shop vendors and paddy fields. Light an oil lamp at the local Buddhist temple, view a private show of Kandyian dances performing the devil dance under the stars, or just listen to the night sounds of the crickets, watching the fireflies with a glass of chilled wine in hand.

At the end of a long day, curl up in one of the antique four poster beds knowing the house is secure under the watchful eye of De Silva the Night Watchman, 2 dogs and Minky the cat

We additionally have a lovely two-bedroom art gallery/apartment in central Colombo if you wish to spend some time in Colombo for some shopping/night life, etc. Look for Hempel RoomsRead more

Additional Location Information

A period house from the colonial era. It is set around a courtyard featuring a pond with tropical fish, turtles and sweet scented frangipani tree at its center. It has been tastefully restored by the Hempel Family who have been living there for the last seven years. It is just 10 mins from Galle Fort and fifteen minutes from Unawatuna and the beaches of Thalpe. The house is surrounded by a lush tropical garden which is a bird watchers paradise. Monkeys, mongoose, monitor lizards and squirrels dart amongst the trees.

Guests can swim in our 50 ft swimming pool or at Thalpe beach just fifteen minutes away. If you are feeling more active the shops, restaurants and hotels of UNESCO world heritage protected Galle Fort are just ten minutes away while the surf beaches are within 20 to 30 minutes.

At sunset, stroll through village streets, past corner shop vendors and paddy fields. Light an oil lamp at the local Buddhist temple, view a private show of Kandyian dances performing the devil dance under the stars, or just listen to the night sounds of the crickets, watching the fireflies with a glass of chilled wine in hand.

There is parking for 3 vehicles in the house driveway, and a local bus stop at the end of the road which can take you into the local town if you so desire. The easiest way to get about in Sri Lanka is by TukTuk/3 wheeler which are easy to find and cheap to use. If you wish to go slightly farther afield on your visit the bus and train stations in Galle can take you to other delightful cities such as Colombo and Kandy for a very reasonable 200 rupees (about 2$).

Location Type Beach, Tropical, Village

Rental fees

What Past Guests Are Saying

• Jilly C
  London, United Kingdom

  A beautiful peaceful home with character and charm in abundance

  Left on 02/07/2013 for a stay in January 2013
  
  

  I stayed for a week at Hempel House and loved it. A short tuk-tuk ride from the bustling city of Galle, it is set on the edge of a village in a lovely tropical garden with an inviting swimming pool in which you can actually swim and not just splash around.
  
  The staff are kind and considerate and look after you wonderfully. One night when I was on my own, the nightwatchman insisted on putting his mobile phone number into my own phone in case I was frightened. I wasn't but felt very cared for.
  
  The house is beautifully and comfortably furnished - as a home not a hotel and the room and bed very comfortable with everything I needed - soap, shampoo, dirty clothes bin (washing catered for!) etc.
  
  As an animal lover the icing on the cake was the company of two super friendly dogs and a cat. I would happily have kidnapped them!
  
  This lovely old house is also in the modern world...wi-fi kept me in touch with work and home.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Families w children

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