Villa 41 Lighthouse Street

Villa 41 Lighthouse Street is a grand two-storey Dutch colonial house inside the walls of Galle Fort, a short walk from the lighthouse, the ramparts and the fort’s cafés and vintage shops. Thoughtfully restored, it pairs original chequered floors, arched doorways and green-shuttered windows with calm, contemporary comfort, and it is one of very few homes in the fort with its own private pool. Three bedrooms make it a wonderful base for families and small groups who want to explore Galle on foot.

The house wraps around a leafy courtyard where an eight-metre pool, guarded by carved stone elephants, runs the length of the garden beneath frangipani and bamboo. At the far end a traditional gazebo with cushioned sofas makes a shady retreat, and loungers line the water. A covered veranda along the house holds an alfresco dining table and a deep corner lounge, the natural spot for a long breakfast looking out over the pool.

Indoors there is plenty of room to spread out, with an eight-seat dining room furnished with antique cabinets and artwork, a bar counter with stools, a living room with plush sofas, and a media room with a large TV set into a bookcase. A pool table adds an easy evening game. The three bedrooms are spread over two floors, each air-conditioned with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in shower, two with four-poster beds. Breakfast is included, housekeeping is daily and a guest assistant is on hand throughout.