Why House

Style

Why, how lovely

Setting

Gorgeous Galle gardens

Honey, you’re home – at Why House, that is. This relaxed, friendly Sri Lankan villa set in three-acre tropical gardens is all yours to play with (and little ones will love it, too). Bed down in the family-friendly Main House or Garden House, or opt for the private cabanas – perfect for canoodling couples. Wherever you sleep, make the most of the hotel’s extensive lures: a vast, T-shaped swimming pool; a yoga shala and massage pavilion; delicious dining and those green, serene grounds. Henrietta and her sausage dog Lettie are the custodians of this tropical Eden. If you can tear yourselves away, Galle Fort is just a 15-minute drive...

Facilities

Rooms

Ten, including three family suites.

Checkout

11am; earliest check-in, 2pm. Both are flexible, subject to availability.

More Details

Rates include breakfast.

Also

Why House has rooms modified for wheelchair-users; paths are step-free and communal areas are accessible.

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

At the Hotel

Vast tropical gardens; pool pavilion; massage pavilion; yoga shala; mini boutique; free WiFi throughout. In rooms: desk, air conditioning, minibar, free bottled water, locally sourced bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

Couples seeking seclusion should opt for one of the romantic private cabanas; families can bunker down in the Main House or Garden House, whose rooms interconnect.

Poolside

The huge T-shaped pool gives the local beaches a run for their money, thanks to its sand-hued bottom. Loungers are clustered around the water; there are plenty of shady areas, plus a pool pavilion with a ceiling fan.

Packing Tips

Bring a treat or two for Lettie (see below). Browse the little boutique, Henrietta Loves, which stocks owner Henrietta’s pick of accessories, clothing, homewares and arty bits and bobs.

Also

Massages can be arranged in the al fresco massage pavilion. Dog-lovers, you’re in luck: your host Henrietta has a little sausage dog by the name of Lettie...

Children

Little Smiths are very welcome. The hotel can provide cots, baby bed-linen, booster seats, crayons/paints and paper and U-rated DVDs for ankle-biters, plus board games for older ones. Babysitting is available for $10 a night.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

They’re all equal in the Dining Pavilion – but you can request a private table for two in the grounds...

Dress Code

Sri Lankan loungewear: loose linens and silks; splashes of rainforest-bright colour; leather accents.

Hotel Restaurant

Sample Sri Lankan, Nepalese, Lebanese, Asian and Western flavours at Why House Dining, which also offers star-turn seafood barbecues. You’ll eat in the airy dining pavilion, set in the serene gardens. The home-made curries are a highlight.

Hotel Bar

Enjoy irreproachably good G&Ts at the relaxed bar by the dining pavilion. Every few weeks, the bar hosts an evening of entertainment, starring traditional dancers and musicians. The wine list – carefully chosen by Henrietta – also deserves a mention.

Last Orders

Eat at the restaurant between 7am and 10pm.

Room Service

There’s not really a formal room service offering, but if you want a drink or snack outside of meals, just let the obliging staff know.

Planes

Bandaranaike Airport is two and a half hours away by car. One-way hotel transfers in a minivan cost LKR30,000; let Smith24 sort your flights.

Trains

Galle Station is a 20-minute drive, with services connecting to Colombo, Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Weligama and Matara.

Automobiles

If you’re driving from Galle, take the highway exit at Pinnaduwa Junction. The hotel has plenty of on-site parking space.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Get lost in the gorgeous gardens, admiring the tropical flora and fauna. Unwind by the huge pool, or cool off in the pool pavilion. Request a massage in the spa pavilion and catch a cultural dance display at one of the bar’s entertainment nights. If you want to go home armed with a few curry-making tricks, request a cookery class with the chef. Set off on a boat trip on Koggala Lake, explore Galle Fort, or swim with turtles in a local lagoon. Ask staff to arrange temple tours; wildlife-lovers can go whale-watching on the coast in season. A short walk or tuk tuk ride will take you to the spectacular Dalawella Beach, a beautiful lagoon created by a protective reef, which offers safe swimming throughout the year. The hotel can also arrange guided bike rides, surfing, snorkelling, diving, sailing, shopping trips, tea- and cinnamon-plantation tours and impromptu cricket matches.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .