Thalpe and Galle
Thalpe beach is an elegant and fashionable resorts on the South
Coast of Sri Lanka, located only 8 kilometers south of the historic
Galle Forrt. It is small, intimate bay of golden sands fringed by
coconut palms and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. It is home
to exclusive villas and small boutique hotels which embody the
influence of Geoffrey Bawa, the famous Sri Lankan architect, in
design.
Thalpe beach is secluded yet only a short distance from historic
Gall Fort. the 16th Century UNESCO World Heritage site and the South
Coast beaches. Galle Fort is full of color and vitality amidst the
restored Dutch merchants' houses into boutique hotel, galleries and
cafes.
The
stunning white and golden sand beaches of Unawatuna, Habaraduwa,
Weligama and Marissa are short Tuc Tuc ride away where scuba diving,
deep sea water fishing, and surfing can be enjoyed.
The
Frangipani Tree is an intimate, elegant beach boutique hotel with 10
exquisitely furnished suites in 4 villas. It is located on the West
and Thalpe bay on a long Stretch of selected and picturesque beach.
We visited the hotel on 20 November 2009 and were personally greeted
by the manager; Godeke. Later we made the acquaintance of a
celebrity couple, like us also from the UK, there.
Each
of the suites has quite stunning ocean views. The sound of the ocean
waves breaking is relaxing. Each modern suite is appointed with
four-poster beds with beautiful linens, covered terraces and
verandahs with sun beds and private dining tables. xtaposition of
simplicity and luxury overlooking the turquoise.
You
breakfast, lunch and dine at your own time and convenience. The pace
is utterly relaxed and you feel totally distanced from the world’s
turmoil outside.
In
season, sea turtles return to The Frangipani Tree beach bay to lay
eggs. However, the most stunning feature of the Frangipani Tree is
the spectacle of the swifts which takes place daily for 5 months
during the migration season. Between 18.04 and 18.25 each evening,
over 100,000 swifts return from the hills where they have been
feeding during the day, to nest on the hotel’s trees bordering the
beach. This incredible spectacle when the skies above the hotel are
filled with over 100,000 birds can only be seen on a very narrow
stretch of beach astride the hotel.
Near
the beach, guests can also view stilt fisherman at work at sunset.
The manager of the hotel; “Dickie” is an adept stilt fisherman and
his catch, often of tiger prawns can be consumed fresh at the hotel.
Villas and Suites
The Frangipani Tree comprises 10 suites arranged in 4 separate
villas. Each of the suites is airy with stunning views of the
ocean and has an elegant contemporary bathroom with private
garden, four-poster bed with beautiful lines, sofa beds, covered
terraces with built-in sofas and private sitting and dining
areas.
Hawksbill
Hawksbill has two bedrooms, each with panoramic ocean views,
outdoor living spaces with sofa beds and private dining tables.
Each of the bedrooms has an elegant contemporary bathroom with
private gardens, a bath tub, shower, hairdryer and designer
bathroom amenities.
The bedrooms feature four poster bed, sofa-bed, and armchair and
desk with Bawa designed leather chair. Exquisite lines and a
choice of pillows complete the spacious and luxurious bedrooms.
The villa is equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, iPod
station and ipod and has access to high speed WiFi.
Leatherback
Leatherback is located beachfront and has two bedrooms, each
with its own large outdoor living spaces with sofa beds, pool
loungers and private dining tables. Each of the bedrooms has an
elegant contemporary bathroom with private gardens, a bath tub,
shower, hairdryer and designer bathroom amenities.
The bedrooms feature a four poster bed, sofa bed, an armchair
and a desk with a Bawa designed leather chair. Exquisite lines
and a choice of pillows complete the spacious and luxurious
bedrooms.
The villa is equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, iPod
station and ipod and has access to high speed WiFi.
Loggerhead
Loggerhead is a one bedroom villa overlooking the lap pool and
with panoramic view of the ocean. The bedroom has separate
elegant bathroom and features a platform bed, a sofa bed, an
armchair and a desk with Bawa designed leather chair' The villa
is equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, iPod station
and ipod and has access to high speed WiFi.
Olive Ridley
Olive Ridley is a two storey villa located directly on the beach
and has 5 independent bedrooms. Each of the bedrooms has
extensive indoor and outdoor living spaces with sofa beds and
private dining tables and equipped with air-conditioning. WiFi a
large elegant contemporary bathroom, private gardens with a bath
tub, shower, hairdryer and designer bathroom amenities.
The bedrooms feature a four poster bed, a sofa bed, an armchair
and desk with a Bawa designed leather chair. Exquisite lines and
choice of pillows complete the spacious and luxurious bedrooms.
SISTER HOTEL IN GALLE FORT
Guest of The Frangipani Tree can base themselves at its sister
hotel, The Fort Printers, a restored 18th century mansion,
located in the historic Galle Fort to leisurely explore the
Galle Fort and its many galleries. The Fort Printers is a luxury
villa with 5 opulent suites and majestic living and dining
rooms. Guest can have use of the villa and lunch or dinner and a
guided tour of the port.
