What You Get
Internet (WiFi)
TV (Satellite/Cable)
The Experience
This cosy house on the southeastern corner of the fort, within sight of the slender white British-built lighthouse, Point Utrecht Bastion and a swimming beach, is amply reflective of the hybrid nature of this historic colonial port town. The main portion of the house, and indeed its layout, reflects the 18th century Dutch period whilst the gorgeous stained glass windows and rear two-storey extension date to the late 19th century British era. Many of the fort’s impressive houses have been restored and transformed since the millennium, and 79 Leyn Baan Street follows suit; the house was modernised fairly recently with a contemporary kitchen and bathrooms, comfy furnishings and essential mod cons all added.
Despite this, No.79, with its two double bedrooms and bunk room, has an intimacy unlike many others in the fort. For many years this was the British owner’s first home and it is filled with a treasured collection of antiques and artefacts sourced from her sojourns around the world, including beautiful Indonesian textiles, Sri Lankan timber stags heads, artwork and brass tinder boxes. Book-stacked shelves and a cupboard brimming with board games further serve to give the house a family atmosphere and homely fullness. Although outdoor space is limited, there is a rear courtyard and a fabulous roof terrace attached to the romantic first-floor master bedroom with sun deck, dining pavilion and sea views.
This is a self-catering house and it comes with a daytime maid who keeps everything clean and tidy (as well as an efficient management team on call 24 hours a day). The kitchen is equipped with all the basics for self-caterers however there is an abundance of cafes and restaurants within the fort for dining out, as well as many atmospheric heritage buildings, chic boutiques, gelato parlours and museums to explore.
Our review
- Overall Rating:
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7
- Reviewed:
- 14-Nov-2014
'A historic home in the heart of Galle Fort ideal for couples or small family.'
It is obvious that this is a family house – there is a kid’s bunkroom on the ground floor and a cupboard brimming with board games and toys – however hazards like the courtyard pond and a steep master bedroom staircase mean that we wouldn’t recommend it for children under 10. What 79 Leyn Baan Street suits best are decadent couples looking for a private, personal and unpretentious retreat in the fort.
A trusted daily housekeeper cleans and helps in the kitchen, and the management company is on call should you need further assistance (they can also arrange for a chef to cook at the villa for a reasonable daily charge). But the fort’s plethora of cafes and restaurants are less than a 10-minute stroll away so there’s no shortage of options for lunch and dinner. Guests will also be kept company by Ruby, the house’s friendly dachshund. A second entrance at the rear of the house provides nippy access to the ramparts and the little beach beyond.
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 9 | Location: | 9 | Outside Area: | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Area: | 8 | Bedrooms: | 6 | Bathrooms: | 6 |
| Kitchen: | 6 | Facilities: | 6 | Staff: | 7 |
| Value: | 7 |
Highlights
This is a beautiful example of a fort home richly decorated with objects, artwork and textiles from across Asia. We loved the master bedroom, which is whimsical and romantic, and the adjoining roof terrace offering great views of the ocean, the slender lighthouse and the forts ramparts. The location is also hard to beat for easy access to the many restaurants, cafes, shops and attractions of the fort.
Surprises
Whilst it certainly suits its surrounds, the ‘shabby chic’ (albeit authentic) aesthetic of the house may not be to everyone’s taste, and steep stair access to the master bedroom make it unsuitable for very young kids or those with limited mobility. The open courtyard style of the house may make it a little damp during monsoon season. Although there’s no pool at the house, sea swimming is accessible very nearby.
PROs
- Top location in Galle Fort
- Feels incredibly homely
- Romantic first floor bedroom suite
- Atmospheric old colonial building
- Fab roof terrace
CONs
- No swimming pool
- Chef costs extra
Gallery
Location
The house is located between Leyn Baan and Rampart streets in Galle Fort, just 30 metres from the southeastern lighthouse-spiked Point Utrecht Bastion, ramparts and a swimming beach. Residing temporarily in this historic Dutch- and British-era house, you will join the glittering ranks of merchants, traders, colonialists and foreign nationals who have all left their indelible mark on this historic UNESCO heritage seventeenth century Dutch Fort. Listen from the rooft terrace for the mosque’s call to prayer or the chanting from the Buddhist temple; Galle Fort is home to temples of three religions whose devotees all live in peace and harmony with each other. The fort is a wonderful place to explore as you wander down narrow streets and ponder the colonial architecture; delicate fretwork, magnificent columns and never-ending red-tiled roofs. The wide grassy western ramparts are a five-minute stroll from your doorstep and offer the perfect respite at sunset. There are also a couple of interesting museums showcasing the fort’s rich history as well as plenty of boutiques selling handicrafts, delicate lacework, glittering gems and other evocative souvenirs. Restaurants and cafes for coffee-stops abound.
Places of Interest(KMs) |
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| Galle Town | 1.2 |
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| Unawatuna | 6.0 |
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| Wijeya Beach | 6.5 |
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| Koggala (Air Taxi) | 15.0 |
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| Handunugoda Tea Factory | 22.0 |
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| Weligama | 29.0 |
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| Mirissa | 36.0 |
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| Tangalle | 55.0 |
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| Colombo | 131.0 |
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| Bandaranaike Airport | 157.0 |
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About Galle
The historic city of Galle is one of the island’s biggest attractions. Once the most important port of Sri Lanka, Galle’s natural harbour attracted seafaring traders long before the arrival of the fort-building European colonialists who were to turn it into a flourishing market town.
Galle’s new town is a hive of activity where bustling lanes overflow with excitable shoppers, and hawkers of luscious fruits, fish and vegetables loudly promote their wares. The newly created promenade along the sea is a picturesque place to walk and contemplate the oceanic scene as fishermen, yachts and navy boats come and go from the harbour.
In stark contrast to the busy town of Galle, the sleepy, historic fort offers serenity and calm and a journey back into time. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its seventeenth-century ramparts are filled with an evocative collection of period properties, intimate boutiques, interesting museums and tiny cafes while its nostalgic ambiance and cosmopolitan vibe further highlight its charm. Things to do in Galle include a visit to the international cricket stadium which is located between the old and new town and is famed for having one of the most picturesque backdrops in the world. There’s a railway station, along with plenty of banks, ATMs, pharmacies, shops, restaurants, money changing facilities and supermarkets in town.
About South Coast
Stretching between Galle and Hambantota, the south coast is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka. Characterised by historically significant fortified towns, numerous picture-perfect palm-fringed beaches, a sultry turquoise sea, swathes of iridescent green paddy fields fringed by lush green jungle, ancient Buddhist temples, expansive waterways, nature-filled rainforests and tea-carpeted hills it offers enough variety to be a destination in itself; fabulous for families, groups and couples alike.
Galle is one of the region’s most significant attractions for its sixteenth century Dutch fort filled with an evocatively rich collection of buildings, boutiques, museums and luxury digs that hug a peninsular to the south of town. Galle’s popular beaches are better-facilitated, more developed and safer for swimming than those in and around Tangalle, but the further you travel east the more expansive, deserted and nature-filled they become.
Surfing, snorkelling, diving, whale watching, sailing, fishing and kayaking can all be done along this magnificent stretch of coastline as well as cycling, walking and trying your hand at Sri Lankan cookery. Inland, the scene varies as the westerly wet zone’s lush jungle interior gives way to the arid dry zone plains a little beyond Tangalle. Taking off by bicycle is often the best way to explore the hills, plains, sanctuaries and jungle whilst a boat is a must to navigate the scenic lakes and rivers that wind in between.
Some of Sri Lanka’s most popular national parks – Uda Walawe for elephants and Yala for leopards and bears – as well as a trio of its most accessible rainforests – Sinharaja, Kottawa and Kanneliya - are easily visited on a day or overnight trip from anywhere along the south coast.
Rooms
Beyond the house’s pale blue front stable door lies a hallway flanked by bookcases and two identically sized rooms. On the right is an aqua-hued bedroom with air conditioning, ceiling fan and queen-sized four-poster bed, whilst to the left is a blue bathroom with terrazzo tub, rain shower and sink. Both rooms feature original glass windows and shutters onto the veranda facing Leyn Baan Street.
An arched doorway leads beyond the hall to the fan-cooled living and formal dining area of the house characterised by weathered cream-coloured walls. To the right is a lounge with plenty of seating, a cupboard filled with board games and DVDs, and a polished cement sideboard with satellite TV and DVD player. Opposite is an antique dining table for six and a matching sideboard topped by a Buddha statue.
Archways beyond the living and dining areas lead into a courtyard built around an elongated pond,. To the right are a bijou air-conditioned kids’ room with a bunk bed and desk (the room doubles up as an office), and a simple kitchen with oven, hob and fridge. Beyond the faded blue antique doors at the far end of the courtyard is a veranda with cement dining table and bench seating for eight and lounge chairs.
To the left of the courtyard is a two-storey building. Access to the master bedroom on the upper floor is through a bathroom with sunken rain shower and via a flight of green timber attic-style stairs. Opening onto the roof terrace, this bedroom is the star of the house. Light and airy, it’s furnished with an antique wardrobe, armchairs, wall hangings and a romantic queen-sized bed.
The roof terrace – also accessible from the rear veranda – has two large sunbeds, a pavilion with a table for four and views of the sea, Rumassala headland and the ramparts.
Key Amenities
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Internet (WiFi)
-
TV (Satellite/Cable)
Other Amenities
- Air-con (Bedrooms)
- Baby Cot (On Request)
- BBQ
- Bed Linen
- Board Games/Toys
- Book Selection
- Ceiling Fans
- DVD Library
- DVD Player
- Equipped Kitchen
- High Chairs (On Request)
- iPod Dock/Speakers
- Laundry Service (Extra)
- Main Dining (6 persons)
- Oven Toaster
- Oven/Hotplates
- Safe
- Towels
Villa Staff
- Babysitter (Extra)
- Chef/Cook (All meals) (Extra)
- Housekeeping (Full time)
- Masseuse/Spa Therapist (Extra)
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This 2-bedroom (plus kids’ bunk room), self-catering, historic colonial house in Galle Fort, staffed by a daytime maid, is just 30 metres from a swimming beach and the fort’s slender white British-built lighthouse. An upper-floor master bedroom attached to an ocean-view roof terrace makes the house particularly attractive for couples.
http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/79-leyn-baan-street.aspx
