Turning off the highway towards Why House, we were taken back in time to a genteel world of colonial elegance and laid-back village life. This tranquil hideaway near Galle in southern Sri Lanka is very special indeed. The rooms are surrounded by palm trees and acres of lush gardens, where ripe fruit and spices scent the air. The buildings’ graceful style is cool and calming, while the staff are warm and welcoming, greeting visitors with a glass of fresh juice and broad smiles. Because there are so few rooms, they are able to give excellent service (including an amazing welcome ceremony!) and you'll feel instantly at home.
Staying here is fun: it's just a 15-minute walk to the beach (complimentary tuk-tuks are also available), there are thrice-weekly aqua-aerobics sessions in the pool and daily afternoon tea and cake (included in the rates), and you can easily travel to Galle and beyond. The food is excellent, and with a pool and grounds to explore, you don't even need to leave if you're feeling lazy. It's popular with families, and also attracts couples and honeymooners; all in all, a wonderfully peaceful base for a beach holiday on Sri Lanka's south coast.
Highs
- Family-friendly with lovely pool, interconnecting rooms, kids menu and large gardens filled with butterflies, birdsong and snooze-inducing hammocks
- Warm and friendly service from Henrietta and her team (including Nigella the sausage dog)
- Spacious beautiful rooms, all with high ceilings and antique furniture; we particularly liked the 2 suites in the main house, with their 4-poster beds and glass-roofed bathrooms
- Delicious food with special requests and diets accommodated
- Great base for exploring the coast and historic Galle
Lows
- The hotel is located just inland, but it's only a 15-minute walk to the beach, and the rural surroundings of verdant rice paddies offers a more authentic slice of Sri Lanka
- Guests at the hotel may hear barking from local dogs at night
- Strict cancellation policy
- Baby cot
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
Available by arrangement
Kids menu available
- Large pool
- Visiting magician and face painter
- Games: badminton, pool rugby, volleyball, quoits, cricket and football
- Board games and cards
- The chef can run cooking classes and cupcake-decorating sessions
- Karaoke machine on request
- In-room DVD players and a DVD library in the lounge with some family films
- Sandy beach a 15-minute walk away (or on your doorstep if you book the villa)
- Paddy field cycling trips
- Kayaking trips
- Surfing at Weligama
- Whale- / dolphin-watching boat trips
- Turtle hatchery where you can hold tiny turtles
- Boutique Hotel
- 10 rooms
- Restaurant + bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Yoga pavilion
Rooms
Why House is spread across a number of buildings. The look is simple, traditional Sri Lankan luxury: white walls and polished dark-wood furniture. All rooms have private terraces, and sitting out in the evening listening to the tropical chorus as fireflies glow around you is a magical experience.
Our favourites are the two Suites, which both sit off the colonaded communal area in the sociable main house. They have four-poster beds, windows on two sides letting in plenty of light, and double doors leading to living areas (which can accommodate extra beds if needed). Their luxurious bathrooms are a highlight, with glass ceilings above the showers to make you feel like you're outdoors. The Double is similar in style but smaller, with space for one extra bed.
We stayed in one of the Cabanas, which are hidden in the gardens and work well for couples seeking a little more privacy. Each consists of two buildings linked by a covered walkway, one housing a bedroom and the other a huge shower bathroom.
The Garden Villa Doubles have smooth concrete floors, antique furniture and open-plan shower areas (there are separate toilets); the Garden Villa Family Room is slightly smaller than the Doubles but has a mezzanine sleeping level with 2 single beds, ideal for families. The Garden Bungalows can interconnect so are also a great option for families. If you're coming as a group, the Garden Villa can be rented as a whole, sleeping 6 in total, or the entire hotel can be booked for 16.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Cots available
- DVD player
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Radio
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
Meals are served in the convivial dining pavilion, an open-sided building near the main house. There's complimentary afternoon tea and cake on offer too. Henrietta is usually around, and she'll often hop between tables to chat with her guests. If you’d prefer some privacy, you can dine à deux in various locations in the gardens or by the pool.
The food is a mix of Western, Lebanese and Sri Lankan. We tucked into the best curry we had during our whole trip on one evening, and a Lebanese feast on another; the seafood comes highly recommended by other guests, although we didn’t get the chance to sample it. Lunch options might include club sandwiches, crab salads or spicy Nasi Goreng.
Breakfast is a spread of fresh fruit, curd, cereals and toast, along with eggs cooked to order. String hoppers (a kind of Sri Lankan pancake) are often served, too. If you get hungry between meals, the homemade cakes and bread are very good. There's also a small but selective bar, with jovial bar-tenders and the likes of local arrack, as well as wine. It's quite unusual in small Sri Lankan hotels to find such a good selection.
If you want a change of scene, staff can recommend nearby restaurants. We headed to buzzy Wijaya Beach Restaurant, which serves delicious oven-baked pizzas and sunset beers overlooking the ocean.
Features include:
- Bar
- Communal dining
- Fridge
- Kids' meals
- Organic produce
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Relax around the pool, enjoy a yoga session, book an Ayurvedic treatment or massage with a visiting therapist
- Try a fun aqua aerobics session (included in the rates)
- Wijaya beach is 5 minutes away by complimentary tuk-tuk or a gently paced 15-minute stroll from both the hotel and the villa. It has a selection of beach bars, and is pretty and sandy
- Entertain the kids by asking staff to book a visiting magician or a cupcake-decorating course with the chef. They can also go kayaking or cycling through paddy fields
- Take a tuk-tuk to Unawatuna beach (4km) for swimming, diving, snorkelling and temples
- Go whale-watching, dolphin-spotting or deep-sea fishing – management can arrange local trips
- Or go surfing at Weligama beach, one of Sri Lanka's most renowned spots
- Take a day trip to Galle (15-20 minutes by tuk-tuk) to admire the UNESCO-listed Dutch fort, fortified town walls, lighthouse and cricket ground. It has some sensational interiors shops and lovely restaurants
- The sandy beaches nearby attract egg-laying turtles around the full moon. Otherwise, there's a small turtle hatchery nearby where you can hold palm-sized turtles in your hand
- Play pool rugby, volleyball or badminton at the hotel – the staff are trained to play and supervise! Or sweat it out in the open-air gym.
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Well being
- Whale watching
Best Time to go
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between November and April when it's mainly dry on the south and west coasts (the main beach areas). May and June are the wettest months of the year; July and August are pleasant but the Indian Ocean is rough. September and October can be sunny, but heavy rain, humidity and high seas are typical.
Our Top Tips
Ask the hotel to arrange a couple of bespoke activities for you – perhaps a tour of nearby tea and cinnamon plantations or a guided bike ride through the paddy fields.
Location
Why House is in the small village of Mihiripenna. It's 9-10km south of Galle, 20 minutes drive from Galle Fort itself, and 4-5km from Unawatuna on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka.
By Air:
Colombo Bandaranaike International (161km away) is the closest airport - click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.
From the Airport
It takes around 2 hours by car to reach Talpe from Colombo airport and you can arrange a transfer through the hotel. Alternatively, Sri Lankan Airlines runs a convenient air taxi service from Colombo airport to Koggala. From there you can jump in a tuk-tuk.
By Bus / Train:
Take a bus or train to Habaraduwa, then a tuk-tuk to the hotel (4-5km).
Getting Around
If you want to hire a driver and car for your whole holiday, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator. The hotel can also arrange a driver and car hire by the day.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Sri Lanka and getting around
Airports:
- Colombo Bandaranaike International 161.0 km CMB
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape