39 Galle Fort

Taking pride of place in Galle’s historic 17th century UNESCO-certified colonial fort on Sri Lanka’s south-western coast, No.39 Galle Fort, our luxuriously converted heritage home, beautifully blends the old with the new. Striking Dutch-era furnishings, graceful archways, pillared verandas and soaring ceilings paint a nostalgic picture of the past whilst deeply cushioned loungers, lavishly adorned beds and homely, modern facilities bring it firmly into the 21st century.

Despite their inner-fort location, our three atmospheric bedrooms are blessed with unique views. On the upper floor, the master room basks in vistas of the fort’s red-tiled rooftops; the second bedroom opens onto the villa’s courtyard garden; and the third engages with the fort by glimpsing at the goings-on along Lighthouse Street. Affording further relaxation are an expansive living and dining room, a cosy mezzanine TV snug and a furnished garden veranda.

Our friendly staff, including cook, take care of all the necessities at the house to ensure your holiday is relaxing and hassle-free. If you’re a family or group of friends in search of a central fort home-from-home, you’ll love No. 39, where there’s ample space for socialising or for curling up quietly with a book. Our well-equipped kitchen allows you to self-cater if you feel so inclined or prepare meals for children.

Galle Fort’s fabulous attractions are mere footsteps away. Take time to wander the narrow streets to appreciate the hybrid nature of the fort’s striking European architecture, make for the ramparts at sunset, perhaps join in a game of cricket or take a quick dip in the sea before working up an appetite to dine in one of the fort’s restaurants. Finally, return to No. 39, where every home comfort awaits.

VILLA LAYOUT

A trellised screen discreetly flanking cobble-stoned Lighthouse Street separates the outside world from No. 39’s entrance veranda; a transitional space.

Beyond the veranda, folding doors lead into No. 39’s living and dining areas, which unfold beneath a vaulted ceiling and spill onto a furnished garden-side veranda beyond. A double bedroom leads off to the right of the entrance and above it is a mezzanine TV lounge. Also on the first floor is the master bedroom with its own terrazzo galley, below which lie the kitchen and third bedroom.

LIVING & DINING AREAS

No. 39’s expansive fan-cooled open-plan living areas lie beneath a soaring timber ceiling. Custom-made furniture – a striking complement of antiques and reproductions – harks back to the Dutch colonial era, and injects the interiors with a heady historical atmosphere.

The homely lounge is furnished with a trio of daybeds lavishly capped by burgundy-hued cushions, antique rattan lounge chairs and a glass coffee table, and is a warm and welcoming social space. Folding windows open onto the entrance loggia, allowing you to keep one eye on the activity of Lighthouse Street as you relax in comfort.

A striking archway demarks the dining area, furnished with an impressive three-metre teak table for ten overhung by copper drop lamps that cast a subtle light and create a nostalgic setting for home-cooked meals. A CD player with iPod attachment sits nearby, beside a set of saloon doors that lead towards a fully equipped kitchen, which also opens onto the garden.

Beyond the dining area are twin doors onto a breezy L-shaped garden veranda, edged by white pillars and a pair of carved granite elephants. Relax on the deep daybed here, curling up with that book you’ve been longing to start for months as our staff pour you tea and the fort’s family of exotic birds put on a heady musical performance in the garden.

Up on the first floor is a tranquil reading room (an anteroom to the master room) with twin rattan (cushioned) daybeds and a mezzanine lounge furnished with two more cushioned daybeds, a 32-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a DVD player.

ACCOMMODATION

- Bedrooms
No. 39’s three bedrooms are spread across two floors, with the master room upstairs. Each bed is adorned with Egyptian cotton sheets and luxurious padded bedcovers, and all bedrooms offer both air conditioning and ceiling fans and feature modern ensuite bathrooms fitted with showers.

- Master Bedroom
Being the only bedroom on the first floor of the house, No.39’s master room is exceptionally private. Breezily opening through twin sets of folding doors onto a terrazzo-floored galley, the room overlooks the vine-draped red-tiled rooftops of the fort. Swathed in soft netting, the grand four-poster kingqueen-size bed sits atop polished mahogany floorboards and beneath an impressive pitched timber ceiling.
The master room is accessed via a small fan-cooled reading lounge furnished with twin cushioned rattan day beds suitable for sleeping two children up to the age of ten.

- Second bedroom
This airy double bedroom opens onto the lush garden and a pillared veranda towards the back of the house. Sitting atop polished floors is a queen-size four-poster bed wrapped in soft netting, positioned so you can lie back and watch the squirrels and birds in the garden.

- Third Bedroom
Located just off the living room, this terrazzo-floored bedroom overlooks historic Lighthouse Street through wide folding front windows. A queen-sized bed takes pride of place in the room, complemented by a matching antique wardrobe.

STAFF

One of the greatest advantages of staying in a villa is the personalised service provided by dedicated staff. No. 39’s staff will do their utmost to please with their warm and friendly Sri Lankan hospitality.

- Villa manager
Although not always on site, No. 39’s friendly manager is on call throughout your stay. He is responsible for the overall operation of the house, overseeing and coordinating the staff and property, and can book local tours and excursions on your behalf.

- Cook
Ajith is No. 39’s friendly cook and full time ‘live in’ housekeeper. He is charge of the market shopping and the preparation of your daily breakfast as well as all other meals as required.

- Houseboy
No. 39’s houseboy is responsible for daily domestic duties and assists Ajith around the house.

DINING

No. 39’s cook is at your service to prepare daily breakfast (tropical fruit, juice, toast, eggs and tea or coffee), as well as lunches and dinners on request.

The house offers a small, reasonably priced menu of delicious home-made meals featuring light international dishes and nutritious Sri Lankan curries, as well as a selection of children’s options. Ajith will also do his best to tailor meals to accommodate special dietary requirements. A stay is not complete without sampling his rice and curry, a fabulous feast comprising four vegetable curries, a fish or chicken curry and piping hot pappadams.

All beverages, including fruit for juices, are charged at groceries bills plus 10% surcharge. Guests will be requested to provide grocery money in advance, and the staff will do the shopping and keep the receipts for your reference.

To make the most of the kitchen and give the cook time to shop, it is a good idea to plan your meals with him in advance, either the evening before or at breakfast time that same day.

FAMILIES

The family friendly advantages of renting a private home or villa are many, including access to your own facilities and the freedom to use them whenever you want. Knowing that the kids can run around happily, independently and safely, without you having to worry about other guests, is a real plus – and one that means parents are certain to have a more relaxed holiday too.

No. 39 Galle Fort is a great villa for families, however due to the steep staircase, the balconies, and the low wall and window in the mezzanine lounge, toddlers and younger children will need close supervision.

Their friendly staff make children feel as welcome as adults and babysitters can be arranged upon request (extra costs apply). The equipped kitchen allows you to prepare meals for fussy eaters with ease and our cook will happily act as your sous-chef and take care of all of the washing up afterwards.