Fleewinter

This tranquil hideaway is reminiscent of a genteel world of colonial elegance and laid-back village life. Tucked away in tropical gardens with an inviting pool surrounded by palm trees, the Why House is the perfect place to kick back and unwind.

The small boutique hotel, surrounded by tropical fruit and spice trees, offers a intimate and concierge-style service, which makes it feel like a home from home. It also owns a 2/3-bedroom villa a couple of kilometres away on the beach with its own pool for those who want even more privacy.

Why House can accommodate up to 20 guests. Each room is dressed up in simple, traditional Sri Lankan luxury with white walls, polished dark-wood furniture and ceiling fans. Each room has a private terrace, satellite TV and DVD player , mini bar, safe and luxuriously appointed bathroom. A DVD library is available for your use.

In the main house there are two suites, which sit off a communal sociable area. Both have four-poster beds, large windows, living areas and ante rooms, which can accommodate two single beds. This works well for families as the children are in your room but not in the bedroom. There is also a triple room in the main house with a double bed and a single bed. The bathrooms in the main house are gorgeous with glass ceilings above the showers as if to create the impression of being outside.

The hotel also has two cabanas, which are hidden in the garden and have king-size beds and private, covered walkways to the bathrooms. There are also three Garden Doubles, which have smooth concrete floors, antique furniture and open-plan shower areas (there are separate toilets); one is slightly smaller than the others and has a mezzanine sleeping level.



A 15-minute walk away is the Beachfront Villa, with its own private pool and fabulous ocean views. The style here is distinctly colonial, with high ceilings, wooden shutters and antique furniture. The villa has huge master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and private outdoor showers, a large sitting room, a study (which can be transformed into a third double bedroom on request), and a full kitchen. Guests can also use the facilities at the main hotel.

Meals at Why House are nice and sociable, set around communal tables in the dining pavilion, near the main house.Those who are seeking more privacy can dine in various nooks and crannies across the grounds. The hotel's excellent head chef prepares a mix of Western and Sri Lankan cuisine with everything from local curries to roast chicken and seafood in between. Lunch options might include club sandwiches, crab salads or spicy Nasi Goreng, while breakfast is a buffet of fresh fruit, cereal, toast and eggs made to order. Those staying at the Beachfront Villa have a dedicated chef to prepare meals. Breakfast is served whenever and wherever you desire.

If you're craving a change of scene there is plenty in the area to keep you occupied. 
Wijaya beach is 5 minutes away by tuk-tuk or a 15-minute stroll from both the hotel and the villa, or you can visit a local temple elephant, visit Unawatuna beach (4km away), go whale-watching, dolphin-spotting or deep-sea fishing. You can also enjoy day trips to Galle (15-20 minutes by tuk-tuk) to admire the UNESCO-listed Dutch fort, fortified town walls, lighthouse and cricket ground. It has some sensational interiors shops and lovely restaurants.

Why House is in the small village of Mihiripenna. It's 9-10km south of Galle and 4-5km from Unawatuna on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The Beachfront Villa is a 15-minute walk away from the hotel, in Talpe.