Sit on the master bedroom first floor terrace over coffee as the sun rises watching the morning joggers pound the rampart walls, a cow searching for grass or a little boy flying his kite; or over a gin and tonic enjoy the setting sunset along with strolling couples and the players of a spirited cricket game. Dating back to around the 1850s, Thambili House sits within the walls of Galle Fort, with its small but eclectic community steeped in history and creative talent. A maze of tight streets host small cafes and tiny boutiques selling jewellery and collectables along side residential houses in various states of decay and renovation. Families going back generations live side by side with the new wave of expats buying their holiday homes.

Escape the everyday life that is Galle Fort by descending behind the high walls of the villa to the tranquillity of open courtyards sprouting giant coconut or Thambili (after which the villa is named), covered terraces and a delightful swimming pool. Completely rebuilt in 2004 under the watchful eye of local architect Rohan Aluwihara, the villa offers 3 air-conditioned bedrooms with modern bathrooms, an open living room dominated by a pool table and which leads off to front and back courtyards with space to lounge and dine. Here you can be pampered with delightful cooking from the house chef, Harsha, who also handles all the shopping (on guest account) at the local markets (you are encouraged to join him) and charming low key service from Rizan who looks after the house. Trips to local beaches, of which there are many, tea and spice plantations and to experience a host of handiworks, craft making and other facets of Sri Lankan life that make it so enticing, can all be arranged by the villa manager as can spa treatments – either in house or at one of the local specialist centres.

• Main Dining (8 persons)
• Tumble Dryer
• DVD Library
• Ceiling Fans
• Hairdryers
• High Chairs
• IDD
• Internet (WiFi)
• iPod Dock/Speakers
• Iron/Board
• Equipped Kitchen
• Book Selection
• Air-con
• Baby Cot
• Bed Linen
• Car Parking
• Food Menu
• Microwave
• Oven/Hotplates
• Safe
• Snooker/Pool Table
• CD Player/Stereo System
• Swimming Pool (Private)
• Toiletries
• Towels
• TV (Satellite/Cable)
• Washing Machine
• Coffee Machine
• Computer
• Chef/Cook (All meals)
• Security
• Shopper
• Housekeeping (Full time)
• Babysitter
• Manager
• Masseuse/Spa Therapist

Period	Net Rates
from 16 January 2012 to 31 December 2012	$ 400

Rather than enter through the imposing double gates on Rampart Street, most people enter Thambili House by the back door on Lighthouse Street. This entrance takes you through the staff sleeping quarters and the wet staff kitchen to an open courtyard with the enticing swimming pool. On the opposite side of the courtyard is the 3 storey main villa. Overlooking the pool, on the ground floor, is an open lounging terrace and casual dining table. Heading into the villa a corridor, flanked by a downstairs shower room and service kitchen/bar, leads to a large open plan living area dominated by a blue beige pool table and tall columns. Semi-formal lounge seating and a desk complete the furniture. Three large studded wooden double-doors fold back to reveal the front courtyard the focus of which is a king coconut tree leaning through the tall villa walls. In its shade is a circular terrazzo dining table and benches.

Upstairs leads to a hall TV room complete with satellite TV off which is the master suite (Nutmeg) and children’s room (Ginger). The master suite consists a king 4-poster, wall to ceiling fitted cupboards and a delightful bathroom with sunken bath. The highlight though is the wide terrace offering expansive views of the fort ramparts and the Indian Ocean beyond, The children’s room with 2 single and 1 double 4-poster beds and an ensuite shower also has a terrace which overlooks the courtyard pool. In the roof eves on the 2nd floor is the final guest bedroom (Cinnamon) with a queen 4-poster and ensuite shower. All the bedrooms are independently air-conditioned and have full mosquito nets.

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