The Dutch House

One is spoiled for choice of hotel when touring Sri Lanka, not more so than along the south coast. Incredible old world properties have been modernised and many new ones built in recent years, but few hark back to bygone eras quite so effortlessly or elegantly as these two. Still privately owned, The Dutch House and Sun House are characterful but unique sister hotels (or homes?) a stone’s throw from each other and the hustle of Galle’s fort. Mercifully, the colonial masters of these gems are long gone, but waking up in either and being served by their delightful staff who pop up in both is a privilege. There is simply no other way of saying it. Just ask for the remarkably delicious curried scrambled eggs at breakfast. Your room girl might cook it, deliver it then wait patiently for your smile when you try it! The entire staff is as friendly, caring and accommodating as can be. Both homes are stuffed with objet d'art, creaky chairs and dusty books, and both possess real old-world charm. It is everything above and then some which sets these properties apart from their pretenders. Wi-Fi and other nods to modernity are in evidence of course, but so are indispensable smells of the tropics - mothballs and frangipani petals! Whatever you do, don’t expect everything to work perfectly or predictably – my upside down door lock made me smile, eventually! Read a book, cross the road to the other house for supper, but otherwise just soak it all in and feel lucky you’ve had a chance to. The hidden swimming pool at the Dutch house is near perfect. Book much less than a week and you’ll kick yourself.