Idle House, an Enchanting Hideaway near Galle

Entire home in Galle, Sri Lanka

  1. 6 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 3 beds
  4. 3 baths
Hosted by Olivia
  1. Superhost
  2. 8 years hosting

Listing highlights

Swim in the infinity pool

It's one of the many things that makes this home special.

Self check-in

You can check in with the building staff.

Valley and garden views

Soak up the views during your stay.
Past a discreet entrance nestles a little luxury villa on the edge of a village. It is hidden away on a small hill in half an acre of verdant tropical garden with a 12 m swimming pool. Close to the restaurants and shops of UNESCO World Heritage Galle Fort and near the renowned surfing beaches of the south coast. The perfect escape or hideaway to recharge or create that masterpiece you always dreamt of. The house is well equipped, including solar panels and batteries, so no powercuts.

The space
A house of hidden spaces with something for everyone: somewhere to snooze in the sun, dip in the pool, curl up and read a book, work in peace, watch a movie, cook up a storm, hideaway from the world or as the perfect base camp to discover the south coast of Galle from.

The house has a simple aesthetic with white walls furnished with natural materials. Teak and Jak wood doors and windows, pillars and furniture sit on reed rugs, polished cement floors and rough hewn stone. The garden verandah is perfect for the indoor-outdoor living that this tropical climate requires, taking in the best of the views and breeze, while remaining in the shade from the sun and hidden from the tropical downpours.

The garden is well loved and full of beautiful trees, tea bushes and spices sloping away to an expansive verdant green valley with the hills beyond.

The 12 metre pool has a salt water filtration system, with a wide stone deck overlooking the view, and is the perfect spot to catch the sun, with 3 sunbeds and marble dining table and chairs.

The library is filled with comfy sofas, a large collection of books to browse and a projector for movies.

The 3 bedrooms are all ensuite, with AC, fans and the mattresses are top quality, as are the sheets and towels. The kitchen is well equipped and there is crockery and cutlery for at least 8 persons.

Supermarkets and restuarants are close by, within a 15 minute drive, and there are tuk tuks on hand to take you the Fort and the Beach.

Guest access
Guests have exclusive access to the whole villa, pool and garden regardless of the number of rooms required. The villa is surrounded by a high wall and has a lockable gate.

Other things to note
The house is looked after by Asela, who comes in daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm. He cleans the house and tends the pool and garden.

There is an our dear house dog named Patsy and her great friend Polly the cat who live at the property. They are much loved members of the family, and they are very friendly and fairly well behaved, and live outside on the veranda at night. If you have any issues with Patsy or Polly, please mention to Olivia.

Where you’ll sleep

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What this place offers

Garden view
Valley view
Kitchen
Wifi – 8 Mbps
Dedicated workspace

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 9 reviews.

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Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 100% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 0% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Galle, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

The house is on the edge of a quiet village of houses, surrounded by verdant tropical green: rice paddies, jungle, gardens and so much wildlife. Lovely walks and bike rides on the doorstep and only a 15 minute drive to the beach or the Fort, with all its shops and restaurants. The closest shop is a tiny village stall 2 minutes walk away. The nearest corner store a 15 minute walk, nearest supermarket a 5 minute drive.

Meet your host

Superhost
77 reviews
4.94 out of 5 average rating
8 years of hosting
My work: Hotel creative
Fun fact: i organised George Clooneys wedding
Long term resident of Sri Lanka. Know and love this place inside out. Hotelier with exceptional taste and a passion for turquoise.

Olivia is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.

Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
6 guests maximum
Safety & property
Pool/hot tub without a gate or lock
May encounter potentially dangerous animal
Carbon monoxide alarm