The Frangipani Tree
In accordance with our policy of “Visit and stay before
recommending”, we visited The Frangipani Tree on Thursday 20
November 2009. See “Lanka Discovery” parked at The Frangipani Tree.
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. |
