Once the doors of 32 Middle Street were closed behind us we felt instantly at home. The property felt secluded and its courtyard swimming pool and rooftop sundeck offered plenty of scope for relaxation. Indoors, we loved curling up on the squashy sofas in the living room and

This villa is certainly big – when we first walked into it, it seemed to keep going back and back. There’s plenty of space for one large group, or a few smaller ones in little secluded pockets throughout the property. We really liked the roof terrace – the

The Fort House accommodates up to eight people and is perfectly located in the heart of the historical UNESCO heritage site of Galle Fort, where you can immerse yourself in 400 years of history and also enjoy the nearby beaches.

We found the house itself to be very

We loved being at Mihiri House as a couple, but we’ve visited on other occasions as part of a bigger group and have seen how it really comes into its own then. Its set up is very sociable – the ground floor living/dining room is huge and there are lots of places for

Because the bedrooms are almost equally sized, it’s a great house for groups as well as families. The bedroom layout would suit two families travelling together as well, and the rooms on the ground floor would be ideal for any less mobile travelling companions. We liked the upstairs bedrooms because you could throw open the windows at night and let in the breeze – great if you fancy a change from the air conditioning.

The villa has only recently (March 2012) opened to guests and the staff team are still a little shy, but they were always smiling and responsive to our requests and left us to it most of the time, which we liked. You’re welcome to use the excellent kitchen yourself, though with the chef’s cooking on offer (we loved the curries) and the temptation of a great local restaurant within walking distance (Wijaya), it’s unlikely it’ll cross your mind.

Old Palm House is easily one of the best inland properties near Galle. Perched on a hilltop with views out over a leafy valley, it’s tropical, tranquil and one of my favourite places to stay. This hidden oasis offers the best of both worlds – easy accessibility to the

Thambili House is a delightful restored (virtually rebuilt) house where one can enjoy the charm of the 18th century with the convenience of a modern fit out. We enjoyed the master suite very much, especially the superb bathroom. That said, all the bedrooms and bathrooms are very