Words: Tina Edward Gunawardhana

Transforming a family home in the walled city of the Dutch Fort in Galle, Sri Lanka, 32 Middle Street is a beautiful home away from home embodying the vibes of a luxury villa

Its outward exterior belies the beauty of the property inside. 32 Middle Street like most properties in the Galle Fort has an unassuming exterior. However it is only when you step inside that you stare in amazement at the beauty of the property. 

The Galle Fort, one of Sri Lanka’s few UNESCO heritage sites is a walled city which contains a microcosm of cultures intertwined with colonial histories. Throw into this a heady and thriving culinary culture and you have got a one stop shop destination on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. 

The cobbled streets of the Galle Fort play host to a large number  of private villas. Once the property of private merchants many of these homes which date back to the early17th century have been gutted save for periodic architectural features and renovated to resemble chic boutique hotels some with minimalist vibes which others have opted for full on colonial charm.  Many of these sprawling homes have been restored and fully kitted out with modern amenities which are inaccessible to the public unless you hire the villa in its entirety along with its staff.
32 Middle Street as its name implies is a lovely sprawling house situated at the tail end of Middle Street more towards the ramparts which offers a scenic view of the ocean and the Instafamous Galle Lighthouse.  With a façade of windows and whitewashed walls, once you step inside the verandah you step into an oasis of luxury. 

Dating back to the 16th century, 32 Middle Street is one of the few properties within the Galle Fort to have a swimming pool. The three bedrooms, large living room and dining room along with an airy verandah frame the swimming pool which is surrounded by temple trees and an assortment of foliage which lends a quiet and cooling ambiance. The villa has local elements such as teak wood and a colonnaded verandah which reflect its colonial past which is so intrinsic to Sri Lankan history. There is also an abundance of local artwork that dominates the spaces and adds to its unique charm.

Despite undergoing extensive renovations it’s simple decorative distempered lime stonewalls and pivot timber glazed shutters were retained. The original façade enclosed the street side verandah and acted as a sound baffler from the outside world, not that stretch of the road is particular noisy.

Two of the bedrooms in the villa are on split levels with the king side beds on the upper level while the bathroom and sitting areas are on the lower levels. Large and airy with big windows to let in the natural light, the rooms are especially comfortable. 

The third bedroom which is particular large overlooks the swimming pool and has ensuite facilities which includes a bathtub perfect for a long luxurious soak. All the rooms are elegantly furnished and are equipped with air conditioning and fans with complimentary WiFi throughout the property. The simple and minimalist vibe that runs through the property adds to its charm and allure.

Furnished with a modern vibe the living room has huge sofas which invite you to sink in and not get up unless absolutely necessary. For those who do need their fix of television there is a large tv and also if needed a projector to watch movies. 

The dining area is dominated by a large dining table which is perfect for indulging in long and lazy meals. 

The villa comes with two attentive staff members who are on hand to accommodate your requests. 

32 Middle Street primarily operates as a bed and breakfast. That said, other meals can be provided if prior notification is given. Their breakfast options include eastern and western cuisine which feature organic products straight from their very own Totum Farms and includes delicious homemade preserves, eggs, goats milk and fresh juices. Their Sri Lankan breakfast options include milk rice, stringhoppers, pittu accompanied with the usual suspects of sambols, curried fish and chicken and potato and dhal curries. Given the fact that the entire Galle Fort area offers varied gastronomic experiences it is recommended that you try out the local cuisine in the neighbourhood. 

If a weekend of pampering and total rest and relaxation is what you seek then 32 Middle Street ticks all the right boxes. But on the other hand if you are looking for interesting activities then the Galle Fort is a hive of activity. The villa also offers in-house cooking classes and those who seek to brush up their cooking skills are encouraged to take part in a cookery class with the villa’s staff. 

If your perfect holiday comprises of contorting yourself into various yoga poses then the upper floor of 32 Middle Street has 
a lovely rooftop verandah which overlooks the pool and is ideal to indulge in yoga sessions or if you are tired of yoga then you can settle down on of the huge sun sofas and either sleep or read or gaze over the red tiled rooftops of the Galle Fort.

 

 

For those who want more adventure there are walking tours of the Galle Fort where visitors are shown landmarks of historical importance. If creatures of the ocean interest you then you can always hop on a boat from the Galle Harbour and spend half a day searching for the leviathans of the ocean.

Tucked away from the world shut off from the everyday noise, 32 Middle Street is an oasis of calm inside the bustling Galle Fort.  Bungalows and villas are a dime a dozen in the Galle Fort, but what makes 32 Middle Street different is that as its guest you are given adequate privacy as the staff are unobtrusive. Steeped in history 32 Middle Street just adds to the ambiance and is the perfect setting for a week of total relaxation.

Reservations
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