Built in the 1861 and tastefully restored, The Sun House is regarded by some as the finest boutique hotel in Sri Lanka. The Sun House is situated directly opposite its sister property The Dutch House on a steep, leafy street just a few kilometres from Galle’s city centre. Being on the other side of the road, this property has beautiful views of the harbour below which can be seen through the host of Frangipani and Hibiscus trees in the garden. The décor cultivates an environment that calms and soothes, with the special emphasis here on whiteness, lightness and simplicity. This makes the property particularly alluring for honeymooners.

Accommodation
The Sun House has seven spacious suites each following an individual theme.  The ensuite bathrooms have twin sinks and showers.  Each suite is furnished with Dutch period antiques - four-poster bed with canopied mosquito netting, Almeria, dressing table, and writing desk.  All the suites other than the Cinnamon Suite are airconditioned.  Interesting books to read, walls adorned with photographs and paintings, fresh flowers in the rooms and bathrooms, and the finest of bed linen and bath towels - all special touches caringly added to make guests feel at home.  There are three standard rooms, two deluxe rooms and two premium suites.

• Sun and Sky Suite:  This cozy double room, decorated in yellows and blues, opens out to a small garden with views of the Galle harbour and the Indian Ocean at a distance.  The garden with recliners placed under the shade of a tall leafy mango tree, is perfect for relaxing with a good book.  The blue hues even permeate the bathroom, which has twin sinks and shower.
  
• Kingfisher Suite:  Tastefully highlighted in orange and blue, the Kingfisher suite also opens out to the Mango Tree garden with views of the Galle harbour.  This suite has a spacious, newly renovated bathroom.
  
• Parrot Fish Suite:  This twin room, with two antique single four-poster beds, opens out to the front verandah and garden near the main entrance.  Decorated with local handloom fabrics in colours of blues, yellows and greens, the Parrot Fish Suite is cozy and has a homely feel.  The ensuite bathroom has twin sinks and shower.
  
• Hibiscus Suite:  This deluxe suite is decorated in reds and pinks and has a new spacious bathroom with twin sinks and outdoor shower surrounded by tropical plants.  The Hibiscus Suite opens onto the Mango Tree garden with distant views of the Galle harbour.
  
• Araliya Suite:  Located through the main living room and overlooking a large garden with frangipani trees and swimming pool, this deluxe suite has a newly renovated bathroom with shower.  The front verandah is ideal for hours of relaxing.
  
• The Dumas Suite:  Situated separately, and perched at the edge of the hill with views of the Indian Ocean at a distance, the Dumas Suite is the newest addition to the Sun House.  Built in 2005 and named after the American designer who once lived at the Sun House, the spacious Dumas suite has a separate living and work area and a private balcony with wonderful views.  Highlighted in colours of pink, purples and reds, this suite has a spacious bathroom with bathtub and shower.   Private and romantic, the Dumas Suite is perfect for a couple.
  
• The Cinnamon Suite:  An antique stairway leads upto this quaint and spacious Suite occupying the entire first floor of The Sun House.  You enter through the library with surrounding windows opening out to magnificent views of Galle.  Filled with interesting titles and an antique writing desk, the library is inspiring.  The large bedroom has a four-poster bed dressed in fine linen and edged with lace.  The bathroom has an indoor shower and bathtub just outside on the balcony.  This suite is not airconditioned, but the high roofs, a ceiling fan, the ocean breeze and fresh air keeps the room cool and comfortable.

Facilities
The Sun House has a wonderful living area where guests can browse through books, listen to music and relax with a glass of wine.  The living room opens out on one side to a verandah, garden filled with frangipani tree, and the swimming pool and on the other side - a formal dining room with a large dining table that is fit for an elegant banquet.  The restaurant at the Sun House is open to the public and visited by guests staying at its sister property, the Dutch House located just across the road.  Fusion cuisine is served with Sri Lankan, Thai, Australian and Mediterranean influences.  A selection of cocktails and wines are available to choose from.  Meals can be taken in the dining room, the verandah, or the back garden under the mango tree.  A new Tapas bar called `Dick’s Bar’ is scheduled to open at the Sun House in December 2006.

Excursions
This is an ideal base from which to explore Sri Lanka’s southern heritage.  Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site is just a few kilometers away where much time can be spent sight seeing, and exploring the narrow maze of streets with its quaint houses, antique shops, and restored boutique hotels.   The beaches of Wijaya, Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa, which are ideal for surfing and swimming, are located near by.  Buddhist temples, wildlife parks and lowland tea plantations can also be accessed from here.