As you wind your way up a bumpy track from Kandy’s back roads to the top of a hill you know you’re going to be in for a treat when you finally reach the summit. Indeed, the views of the jungle-clad Hunasigiriya Peak and surrounding mountains are superb from Galkande Walauwa, the century-old British colonial house that stands at the top of this hill, whilst the vista of farmers hard at work in their paddy fields below is every bit as scenic and never fails to remind you of where you are. Gal means rock, and the summit of this hill (or kande) was originally a solid stone peak until the present owner’s grandfather removed the rock bit by bit to use in the construction of the house back in 1902.

A stay in Galkande Walauwa is certainly reminiscent of the past since the colonial build of the house and its quirky interiors really hark back to an earlier time when life was lived simply and at a much slower pace. Although occupying only half of the manor house that stands at the top of this hill (the owner’s brother’s family lives in the other half), space is generous, especially for the three bedrooms that are comfortably incorporated within. With a large living room and a big grassy lawn to the front of the house, this is a great villa for families looking for a base to explore not only the city of Kandy but also the many treats hiding in her hinterland including the Knuckles Mountain Range, Victoria Reservoir, Peradeniya’s Royal Botanical Gardens and of course, the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage in Kegalle.

The house has a permanent staff of just one, however when it is occupied a cook will prepare meals at the villa for a fee. Guests can also self-cater, although the nearest supermarkets are in Kandy, 12km away. The owner of Galkande Walauwa is also the manager of a prominent hotel in Kandy, and so is well used to the demands of foreign visitors. And as neither the housekeeper nor cook speaks English, he is on call to assist with anything from staff liaison to organising transport, trips and tours.

• Main Dining (6 persons)
• DVD Player
• Ceiling Fans
• Hairdryers
• High Chairs
• Hotplates
• Iron/Board
• Equipped Kitchen
• Laundry Service (Sent out)
• Book Selection
• Extra Bed (Roll away/mattress)
• Toiletries
• Towels
• TV (Local channels)
• Baby Cot
• BBQ
• Bed Linen
• Car Parking
• Housekeeping (Full time)
• Chef/Cook (All meals)

No rates available currently.

A gravelled driveway leads to the protruding entrance porch of Galkande Walauwa, which overlooks the spacious lawned garden directly ahead. A small flight of steps takes you from here onto a front veranda which you cross to enter the house, directly into the main living room.

The living room features a beautifully intricate pillared arch which stretches across the width of the room. This architectural feature matches the room’s furnishings and fittings whose style is dated but quite in keeping with the colonial character of the house.

The living space continues around a corner where a TV room (with DVD player) links to another large, though sparsely furnished, living area that’s designed for reading. A dresser, some antique suitcases and another wicker lounger furnish the room, which overlooks the side garden and leads into each of the three bedrooms and the bathroom.

The master bedroom opens onto both living areas and is furnished with a double four-poster bed, a wardrobe, a writing desk and windows overlooking the front lawn. Also at the front of the house is a twin bedroom with a dressing table and the best garden views. The bed in this room can be arranged as a double if preferred. [As of Jan 2011, the villa has added a four-poster bed option for this room].

Towards the back of the house is the third bedroom, with another double four-poster bed, a wardrobe and a washbasin. This bedroom also features an open-air shower from which you can marvel at the beautiful mountain views.

The master and twin bedrooms share an olive-green bathroom that’s accessed via the reading room to the back of the house. Here there’s a bathtub, a toilet and twin sinks plus an open-air shower with a mountain view. Beside this bathroom is a small washroom.

At the rear of the house the kitchen’s outer wall is open to the back garden and mountain views. The facilities here are few and the kitchen is rather basic, however there is both a dining table for six and a smaller table for two. Across the rear garden from the kitchen is a small ambalama (resting pavilion) designed not only for dining but also for soaking up the spectacular views of Hunasigiriya Peak.

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