20 Middle Street

Introduction

20 Middle Street, once the Galle Fort residence of a Dutch Merchant, is an exquisite three-bedroom Sri Lanka villa dating back to the 1750s. At that time, the adjoining property was the residence of a British Governor which has now been transformed into the Amangalla Hotel. A caring renovation has retained original features of columns, arches, verandahs, teak windows with shutters, and high timber roofs. Walk-in through the grand entrance into the elegant Main House with a living room, games room, library and two spacious bedrooms on the mezzanine floor. There is also a two-bedroom annex and a one-bedroom pool house and swimming pool with excellent levels of privacy. The Main House and the Annex opens on to the central courtyard garden. The flagship property of the Chatham Collection.

NOTE: 20 Middle Street is rented to one party at a time ensuring complete privacy and can accommodate up to 10 guests. Children under 12 years are not encouraged.

Accommodation

There are five spacious bedrooms – two in the Main House, two in the Annex and one in the Pool House. The stylish bedrooms have a/c, overhead fans, safe, bathrobes and hair dryer. Ensuite bathrooms have twin vanities, heated towel rails, and h/w showers.

Main House: The two double rooms in the Main House are on the mezzanine floor and open out to a long timber terrace overlooking Middle Street and the 17C Dutch Reform Church. Both rooms have king-size four-poster beds.

Annexe: A double room and twin room (which can be made into a double). Upper floor rooms with windows opening on to the courtyard garden and the clay tiled roofs across the Fort.

Pool House: Has one bedroom with a queen-size four-poster bed.

Facilities

The main house has living room with a library and games room with a pool table, satellite TV and DVD with surround sound. The Main House has a dining area opening out to the central garden. The Annex has lounging space on the ground floor overlooking the gardens. The swimming pool with a wide sunbathing. Wifi throughout. Cook and housekeeper. Discuss your meal preferences ahead of time. BYO alcohol. There are also many dining options within Galle Fort as well as on the coast.

Why We Like It

The gorgeous interiors and the secluded pool with garden beyond.

Location

20 Middle Street lies within the walls of the historic Galle Dutch Fort on the south-west coast, around two hours from Colombo via the Southern Expressway. Several beautiful beaches are nearby, as well as cinnamon plantations and lowland tea estates. Whale watching is possible in Mirissa, around one hour away along the south coast.