The Beach Hut

Rooms

The master bedroom occupies most of the upper floor, with 5 sets of French windows opening onto a shaded wraparound veranda with wicker recliners. Inside it's simple, bright and airy, with white walls, polished concrete floors and high sloping beams. There's a kingsize four-poster, ceiling fans, a portable A/C unit, 2 comfy sofas and a couple of leather pouffes. The ensuite bathroom has brass basins and a deep corner tub with an overhead rain shower set into the concrete-screed floor.

The small children's bedroom is air-conditioned and has a double mattress. It's best for young children (up to 10), as there is no family bathroom - they'll need to use the ensuite next door or the ensuite downstairs.

Downstairs is the additional guest suite, with an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning and a private terrace. There's also a delightful open-plan living space, with a bar, daybeds for indoor lounging, groovy artwork, and wide French windows leading to the covered dining veranda, which overlooks the pool and garden. The dining table can seat up to 8, but you might prefer to eat al fresco on the veranda or in the garden, where a table can be laid out for you with candles to light your dinner.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Cots available
• Fan
• In-room treatments available
• Safe box
• TV
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

The cook can prepare whatever meals you require, from breakfast (choose from English and Continental spreads or try the Sri Lankan option, with egg hoppers, sambol and curd) to a range of lunches and dinners. He is open to new ideas and recipes, but we highly recommend his specialties - you will receive a list of sample dishes before arrival. Either way, it's very reasonable: you just pay the cost of transport and of the ingredients.

Meals are truly delicious - some of the best food we had on our trip. Think curried crab, grilled tuna, avocado salads with spicy dressing or watalappam - a coconut custard dessert.

Alternatively take a short walk along the beach to Wijaya Beach Café for seafood, pizzas and drinks, or grab a tuk-tuk into Galle for more choice. Opt for an atmospheric dining experience in one of Galle Fort's amazing new restaurants; The Beach Hut has a list of recommendations.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Chef on request
• Dinner by arrangement
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• In-house cook
• Kids' meals
• Lunch by arrangement
• Microwave
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Shopping service

Activities

• Visit the historic town of Galle, a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride away, with its famous Dutch fort and international cricket pitch
  
• Take afternoon tea at the colonial Galle Fort Hotel and browse the town's surprisingly fancy shops
  
• Swim in the coral bay at Wijaya Beach, with its reef-protected shallows (perfect for kids), then walk up to the nearby temple to watch the sunset
  
• Snorkelling, scuba diving and surfing are all on offer (with guides if needed) on nearby Unawatuna beach. There are also several wrecks 20 minutes away which more experienced divers can explore
  
• Jump in a tuk-tuk and head to the turtle hatchery at Talpe (a 10-minute ride), where you can watch hatchlings take their first steps towards the ocean
  
• Stay in and chill out: by the pool, on the beach or in the palm-shaded garden
  
• Yoga and massages can be arranged if you're in need of further relaxation

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Yoga

Kids

Children are welcome and the small double bedroom is ideal for 1 or 2 kids up to the age of 16. Babysitting can be arranged on request and cots and high chairs are available free of charge. You can use the washing machine and kitchen as much as you want, and the housekeeper often helps out.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Beach Hut is near Unawatuna, 10km from Galle, on the south west coast of Sri Lanka. It's about 2 hours from Colombo by road; more by train.

By Air:
Colombo Bandaranaike (165km) is the closest international airport.

From the Airport
The owners can organise a car to collect you from Colombo airport, so enquire when booking. If you're in no hurry you could take the slow but scenic coastal train to Galle, where staff will meet you.

Alternatively, you could consider taking a Sri Lankan Airlines air taxi sevice to Koggala Lake, where you can get a taxi to the house.

Getting Around
Many bars and restaurants are just a short walk away from the house. It's easy to pick up tuk-tuks for longer journeys. and staff can arrange a car with a driver if needed.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.