Despite being on the thresholds of the tourist-busy south and west coasts, the area surrounding The Old Lady at the Sea sees few foreigners, aside from those that pass by as they travel along the Galle Road. Instead, the coastal village setting of this holiday home allows guests to experience authentic Sri Lankan life as it plays out – not only beside the sea and shop-flanked road but also inside the property as the housekeeper’s unaffected hospitality fills the house with warmth. Here you can escape the tourist crowds, yet still enjoy their conveniences and facilities which are just a mere seven kilometres up the road.

This eight bedroom property – creatively named after Ernest Hemingway’s famous novel The Old Man and the Sea whose story this painstakingly resurrected building appears to resemble - is ideal for large parties and comprises two buildings, one of which is thought to date back over 300 years. Discovered by a Belgium architect who lives nearby, the old house – then not much more than a ruined timber factory - was immediately bought by the current owner on the recommendation of said architect, who adored its character and felt it could be faithfully restored.

Staying as true as possible to the original layout of the house in order to reclaim its colonial character, the renovations opened up the traditional courtyard, completely restored the roof and preserved much of the original terracotta-coloured sea-stone walling of the living areas. To provide a contrast to these colonial features and to add comfort, the house was then filled with a collection of Dutch period furnishings and modernised with black terrazzo flooring, air conditioning and new bathrooms.

Whilst the living room, dining area and kitchen are all located in the old house, further bedrooms and a laundry room are housed in a second building that dates back 40 to 50 years. The bedrooms here are more spacious and open right onto the grassy lawn surrounding the sea-view swimming pool. A gate onto the beach offers a dramatic view of the coastline. The property is staffed and includes a cook (grocery system of guest’s account) although the kitchen can also be used by guests.

• Main Dining (20 persons)
• Tumble Dryer
• DVD Library
• DVD Player
• Ceiling Fans
• Generator
• Hairdryers
• High Chairs
• Iron/Board
• Equipped Kitchen
• Laundry Service (In-house)
• Massage Beds
• Oven/Hotplates
• Swimming Pool Toys
• Extra Bed (Roll away/mattress)
• Air-con
• Baby Cot
• BBQ
• Bed Linen
• Board Games/Toys
• Car Parking
• CD Library
• CD Player/Stereo System
• Swimming Pool (Private)
• Towels
• TV (Local channels)
• Washing Machine
• Coffee Machine
• Chef/Cook (All meals)
• Housekeeping (Full time)
• Security
• Shopper

Period	Net Rates
from 1 May 2012 to 31 July 2012	$ 530
from 1 August 2012 to 30 September 2012	$ 700
from 1 October 2012 to 31 October 2012	$ 530
from 1 November 2012 to 15 December 2012	$ 700
from 16 December 2012 to 9 January 2013	$ 925

The Old Lady at the Sea comprises two buildings; a 300-year-old renovated house and a more modern structure right across from the swimming pool.

The four bedrooms of the old house open onto a central Dutch-style courtyard. The original stone walling here and in the attached living area gives the property a certain warmth and charm. Named after precious stones, each bedroom in the main house features terrazzo floors, canopied double beds (comprising two single mattresses) with mosquito netting, rattan cupboards, a TV with DVD player and an ensuite bathroom with shower. All bedrooms come with ceiling fans and air conditioning.

The living area is air conditioned and also features black terrazzo flooring and old stone walls. It is furnished with a selection of Dutch antique pieces such as a pair of cupboards and chest as well a selection of rattan chairs clustered in front of a tall Buddha statue. This room also boasts a striking pair of Sri Lankan statues in the alcove of what once was a doorway. The living area has windows looking towards the sea and access onto a dining veranda where tables seat up to 16 guests. Also leading off from the living room is an equipped kitchen. Convenient for the swimming pool, two washrooms are positioned beside the doorway to the garden.

In the newer house, located across from the swimming pool, are four more spacious, high-ceilinged ensuite bedrooms (three doubles and one triple) that pleasantly open onto a veranda overlooking the pool and sea. Each of these rooms is named after a tropical bloom and furnished in much the same way as the bedrooms in the main house. The front bedroom is the best for ocean and garden views.

At the back of the new house is a laundry room with a washing machine, a dryer and ironing facilities.

NOTE: During our stay a seaside pavilion for daytime living and dining was being rebuilt; due for completion mid-July 2010.

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