Why House

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

Kids

Families will adore Why House, the gorgeous pool works really well for all ages and the lawned, walled gardens are great for tearing about and exploring. Children will also like the stuffed dachshund dog awaiting them in the room. We went with our 2-year-old twins and it was unanimously our favourite hotel in Sri Lanka. There’s also a great kids menu and staff are extremely accommodating. Most rooms can fit an extra bed.

Why House is also ideal for big family reunions. All details of a stay can be personalised including special meals, entertainment and events, along with bespoke activities for guests such as fun tuk tuk scavenger hunts around Galle Fort.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The Main House Suites are good for families, as each can fit two rollaway beds. The two Garden Bungalows can interconnect so also work well for families. The Garden Villa Family Room has a mezzanine floor with 2 single beds on it, in addition to the double bed below; it's unsuitable for under 6s due to the concrete staircase. Some other rooms can fit an extra bed or baby cot. Larger families can book the whole Garden Villa, sleeping up to 9 people in three double rooms (two of which interconnect). Note that there are no bathtubs.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 2 hours (Colombo)
• Hospital: 2 hours (Colombo)
• Nearest shop: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

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