Kate Atkinson

The Dutch House

  • Where:
  • Why:An adventurous safari across one of Guardian’s declared 2013 up and coming travel destinations.
  • When:October 2013.
  • Who:Little old me.
>
The Dutch House The trusty Tuk Tuk.

The trusty Tuk Tuk.

The Dutch House Bookworms beware.

Bookworms beware.

The Dutch House Love me a big tub. Grandiose, with sitting room to boot.

Love me a big tub. Grandiose, with sitting room to boot.

The Dutch House Unawatuna and a myriad of brilliant southern beaches are nearby.

Unawatuna and a myriad of brilliant southern beaches are nearby.

The Dutch House Blissing... nuff said.

Blissing... nuff said.

The Dutch House Resort vibe.

Resort vibe.

The Dutch House Boasting yours truly.

Boasting yours truly.

The Dutch House Sri Lanka style on the BEST plates. Brilliant.

Sri Lanka style on the BEST plates. Brilliant.

The Dutch House Lovers sitting in a tree…

Lovers sitting in a tree…

The Dutch House Always up for spicing up my life. Pun-tastic!

Always up for spicing up my life. Pun-tastic!

The Dutch House Sri Lanka in October is wet, wet, wet.

Sri Lanka in October is wet, wet, wet.

The Dutch House An estate isn’t complete without a faithful hound.

An estate isn’t complete without a faithful hound.

The Dutch House Hotel workers.

Hotel workers.

The Dutch House Welcome!

Welcome!

Highs & Lows

  • Old Dutch merchant’s house, beautifully restored. It dates from just over three hundred years ago in 1712 and was once an orphanage for boys.

  • The loll about lounge – I really loved the living area of the hotel and the vast collection of board games and books for a homely touch.

  • Breakfast –I loved the breaky – it was unreal! Made so so well and tasted incredible. The best Western breaky I have ever had in Asia, hands down – I loved the way the greens were criss crossed – it’s the small things…!

  • Service - Needs sharpening.

  • Minibar – With a hotel of this elk, a great minibar and those final touches can be all the difference – eg. a collaboration with a new think tank like The School of Life or new publication goes a long way, or a strong itinerary.

  • Fitness – Colonial bric a brac lends itself to having some old fashioned sports equipment!

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 39/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    Preserved historic mansion and fine example of Ceylon architecture.

  • Vibe

    Hillside plush yuppy meets coastal dreamin.’

  • Location

    Set up on a hill overlooking Galle Harbour. It’s the ultimate place to explore Galle’s fort, market and shopping precinct while escaping the hustle and bustle. It’s in Sri Lanka’s beach side Southern Province.

  • Rooms

    Four.

  • Music

    None.

  • Year Opened

    1712.

  • Designed By

    Old Dutch merchant’s house, beautifully restored. It dates from just over three hundred years ago in 1712 and was once an orphanage for boys.

  • Health & Wellness

    Pool with an outlook on pretty Galle town and the coast.

  • Restaurant

    Yes, along with a great veranda and lounge to lol in. It’s like being in your own posh mansion back garden. Breakfast was an especially nice treat with a hound nestled at my feet. You can dine in morning, noon or night

  • Bar

    No, but you can order any kinds of drinks in and slurp them while testing your mind on an intellectual board game.

  • Children

    It could work, but maybe not for other guests. This place is seriously luxe!

  • Price

    Exxy, but with a vintage Rolls Royce out the front, they don’t scrimp on luxury here. It’s worth it!

The Galle Fort

The Galle Fort

the gall fort sri lanka

The Sanctuary Spa in Unawatuna

The Sanctuary Spa in Unawatuna

Welle Dewalaya Road, Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Mama’s Galle Fort Roof café

Mama’s Galle Fort Roof café

76 Leyn Baan Street, Galle, Sri Lanka

The Dutch House

The Dutch House

23 Upper Dickson Road, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka

Share this Hotel

More AHL

ColomboSri Lanka

The Wallawwa

by Caroline Clements

“Classic colonial luxury.”

DambullaSri Lanka

Heritance Kandalama

by Caroline Clements

“Be careful of the monkeys.”

TalallaSri Lanka

Talalla Retreat

by Caroline Clements

“Nothing but the birds singing and monkeys fighting in the trees.”

DickwellaSri Lanka

Jasper House

by Issy Croker

“Relaxed beach house.”

PunakhaBhutan

Dhensa

by Amulya Hiremath

“A zen hideaway in the world's happiest kingdom”