Nestled atop the highest point of the ancient port city of Galle sits the Lady Hill Hotel, where you will be overwhelmed by the breathtaking and panoramic “Bird’s Eye View” of the lush green countryside stretching from the tea covered slopes of the Southern foothills all the way down to merge with the brilliant blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Located in close proximity to the city’s pulsating heart and to some of the best beaches in the Island, yet secluded enough to offer a measure of tranquility and serenity, that the discerning traveler eagerly looks forward to after a weary bout of sightseeing and exploration. Thereby, adhering to the watchwords “Lose yourself in the Experience and not in the Crowd”.
Entering the portals of the Lady Hill, one is treated to an architectural edifice, echoing the legacy of the ancient Colonial Dutch period, from the imposing entrance archway, down to the natural cobblestone floor. However, as you progress through the lobby, where you will be greeted with the traditional Sri Lankan welcome of “AYUBOWAN”, which translates as “May You Have Long Life”, you notice a subtle but appreciative change in the conceptual idea.
You will be ushered to your room via a rustic granite stone stairway, flanked by a strip of fresh water fish ponds and upon entering your room, will be amazed to find that you have been transported from the past into the future within the space of a few short ticks of the clock. The rooms are furnished with ultra modern futuristic style décor and posses state of the art facilities and amenities which are all that you, as an honored guest, could possibly hope for.
Accommodation
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Each of the Guest rooms at the Lady Hill features a private balcony sit-out offering an incredible view of the surrounding land and cityscapes and are equipped with all the modern conveniences such as hot & cold water, air conditioning, mini bar, wide screen satellite television, electronic safe, tea/coffee making facilities, hair dryers and telephone units with domestic and international call capabilities.
Facilities
RESTAURANT
The Lady Hill offers a gastronomic delight with a variety of Eastern, Western and Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, which will titillate your taste buds and leave you sated beyond all imagination.
The health conscious can rest assured that all dishes are prepared using fresh ingredients. The seafood served is straight off the boats from the Indian Ocean and the fruits and vegetables, organically grown by the local community.
HARBOUR BAR
The rooftop Harbour Bar commands the best view of Galle and is the ideal place to unwind of an evening, sipping your favorite beverage or just enjoying the sunset over the horizon and watching the stars make an appearance as twilight turns to dusk. The soft music and incandescent lighting also creates a special ambience and atmosphere that is both relaxing and serene.
POOL
Laze away your mornings or afternoons in the swimming pool whilst taking in the vista of the view spread around below you and saturate in the feeling of being at the pinnacle of your surroundings.
AYURVEDIC
Experience authentic ayurvedic healing with natural medicine administered according to traditional methods. Soothe your mind, body and soul with traditional native accutherapy, yoga therapy, reflexology, shirodara and swedana (steam bath). Undergo the ultimate “Triple R” sensations of Relaxation, Revitalization and Rejuvenation at the Ayurvedic Therapy Room.
Excursions
GALLE FORT
Just 5 minutes walk away is the 90 acre fort of Galle built by the Dutch rulers in 1663. This area has been classified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is not only a historical city but one that continues to ‘live and breathe’ even today. It houses many places of interest including Groote Kerk, the oldest Protestant church in Sri Lanka, the Bell Tower and the old Dutch Government House.
Close by are the banks and other business institutions and the handicraft shops (specialties include hand-made lace and ebony carvings) and Sri Lankan gem and jewelleryshops.
FORT WALKS
Architecture and its diversity
Going inside key buildings and showing how the Fort has changed over 400 years from a Portuguese garret to a Dutch defensive fort, a British centre of trade and now, a cosmopolitan city made up of people from all over the world.
Gardens of the Fort
For those interested in flora and fauna.
Wildlife
A pre-dawn walk: Expect to see bats, monkeys, turtles, monitor lizards, 25 different types of birds, horses, cows, goats and the famous Fort rats. Even swim with turtles in the right season!
Historical & Ritual Fort
Includes going into many places that are not normally open to the public and learning about the local witchcraft. We can't guarantee you won't disappear.
Meet the artisans, artistes and antique dealers.
This includes showing people everything from temple painting, to mask making, lace costume designing (they also have a chance to have a go at it themselves at Shoba Girls), jewellery casting using the age old fish moulding method, column designing and interior re-furbs done by the great architect Channa Daswatte.
Children’s Fort - A fantastic family walk with lots of prizes!
Great stuff for kids to do whilst in the Fort and fun for the whole family, who will be taken to secret gardens, hidden side streets and inside exciting spots such as the gunpowder houses. This also includes seeing the world-famous jumpers.
Food Tour
Take a culinary trip around the Fort to sample the best of Sri Lankan street food and home cooking. Learn to cook five to six dishes in the arts cafe and meet the story teller over spice tea afterwards.
UNAWATUNA BEACH
Just 10 minutes away is one of the best beaches in the world, Unawatuna. With the sea often as calm as a pool this area offers many possibilities for entertainment - you can snorkel and explore the reef and interesting wrecks; you can dive; or you can just soak in the sun.
RHUMASSALA CLIFF
At the western end of Unawatuna beach is a huge mound-like hill which is strangely out of place in the landscape. Blessed with about a hundred herbs, some of which are found no where else on the island this hill offers an exquisite view of the harbor, the town and even Adam’s Peak on a clear morning.
TREKKING
For those of you who love trekking Galle can offer you some very interesting trekking opportunities. Walk to the famed Watering Point Unawatuna where VOC ships made their vital intake of water before they sailed on to Indonesia or back to Holland. Along the way explore a freshwater pond, which apparently held fresh water since the 17th century and only became polluted during the last thirty years. Continue on to Rumassala and then on to Welledevalaya temple. Walk through a small valley with paddy fields and end up at Yaddehimulla, a friendly tourist village.
If ancient architecture interests you a trek along the sewage systems built by the Dutch will certainly be of interest. Much of Galle was built around these intricate structures that were aligned to the tides to provide a continuing and natural flush. By following the system you can discover the framework of the historical city.
TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS
Situated inland from Galle are some of the most beautiful and valuable tropical rainforests in the island and in the region. Sinharaja Rainforest, a World Heritage Site is spread over an area of 11,330 hectares and boasts a large number of rare, endemic plant and bird life.
Also close to Galle is the Kanneliya Forest Reserve which contains 81% of the woody plant species endemic to Sri Lanka. After an invigorating trek through the jungle you can cool down with a bath under the unspoilt waters of the Kanneliya Waterfall.
Kottawa Forest Reserve is another must for you nature lovers. A live herbarium with plants and trees identified in both English and Sinhalese a visit to Kottawa gives you the chance to learn more about Sri Lanka’s floral heritage.
WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING
The Lady Hill Hotel also offers their guests a chance to observe whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. This excursion can be arranged on request by the Hotel’s Front Office and the trip entails a 4 hour boat ride commencing from the Mirissa Fisheries harbour into deep sea. This offer is seasonal and lasts from November throught to April every year.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
If it’s wildlife that turns you on visit the Koggala Bird Island just 15 km away. Further afield is the Ramsar Bird Sanctuary of Bundala where hundreds of migrant birds make their home during the Northern winter. At the corner of the island where the south coast meets the east coast lies Yala National Park where you can see the majestic elephant, the deer, the sambhur, the proud peacock and last but certainly not least the graceful leopard.
Location
Website URL: http://www.ladyhillsl.com
