Orchard House is a restored 18th century colonial-style villa situated within the walls of the historic Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO protected World Heritage site on the southern coast of Sri Lanka.  Named after the villa’s enclosed gardens, the Orchard House has recently been renovated by a leading Australian designer. Enter through the unassuming main doorway to a spacious living area and a long courtyard full of lush greenery, which is the main focus of all the bedrooms. A pillared pavilion perfect for Al Fresco dining and a small swimming pool are located at the back end of the property. White dominates this villa – corridors, pillars, and even floors are white with only the soft furnishings and ornaments adding a dash of colour. The villa is furnished with antique Dutch-period four-poster beds, Almairahs, tables and comfortable planters chairs – furniture that belongs in this historical setting.

Accommodation
Orchard House has four airconditioned bedrooms opening out to the central courtyard and garden. The attached bathrooms have hot and cold water showers.

Facilities
There are living and dining areas, a well-equipped kitchen with modern appliances, a cozy den with comfortable lounging furniture, a television and CD player. A separate library-cum-study is located at the front of the villa. Both Western dishes and Sri Lankan rice and curry is served. Discuss your menus with the cook and he will ensure that fresh vegetables and seafood from the daily catch is prepared to your liking. Accompany him if you wish to the local market to select your own ingredients.  Orchard House has an English-speaking manager, a housekeeper, cook and gardener – all of home are obliging and helpful. Any specific requirements can be discussed with the manager who also has a tuk-tuk (mini taxi on three wheels) to take you to the shops and another places of interest.

Excursions
Hours can be spent exploring the Galle Fort, founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese and thereafter developed by the Dutch. Encompassing around 90 acres of land, the Fort is surrounded by a massive stonewall and still retains many of the old buildings, including the Supreme Court of the Southern Province with legal offices and other Government departments. The clock tower, lighthouse, Dutch Protestant church and the ramparts are all architectural monuments. Life within the Galle Fort is unique and vibrant with a mix of cultures and lifestyles. Walk along the narrow streets studded with interesting nooks and corners to explore including shops, eateries, mosques, temples, churches and several newly renovated boutique hotels with fine-dining restaurants. By dusk, watch the beautiful sunset at the ramparts – a sight not to be missed. For those wanting the sun and surf, the closest beaches are Unawatuna and the popular coral-protected Wijeya beach.