The Rice House

The Rice House is a renovated Dutch-period walawwa, or manor house, about 12 km from Galle, with high timber ceilings, terracotta tiles, antique doors and four-poster beds. Its west-facing verandah and infinity pool look across rice paddies where peacocks, kingfishers and water buffalo are daily visitors, and a palm-lined path leads 15 minutes on foot to a tropical beach.

Highlights of The Rice House

• Dutch-period walawwa renovated with hand-picked antiques
• Infinity pool beside the paddy fields
• Five air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to 15
• West-facing verandah with panoramic rice-field views
• One acre of land with a large lawn for football or cricket
• Private chef
• 15-minute walk to the nearest beach

Bedrooms and bathrooms

• Main house: two king suites, one queen suite and one twin suite, all with antique four-poster beds and mosquito nets
• Three of these rooms have a single daybed for a child or young adult
• The Pink House (separate, reached from the garden): a king-size bamboo bed plus two bunk beds

Living spaces and pool

The main covered verandah faces west over the rice fields; a second verandah looks onto the big garden. Between them is an indoor living room for reading, with the TV. The infinity pool runs alongside the paddy, framed by palms.

Staff and services

Gayan, the private chef, cooks both Western and Sri Lankan dishes, supported by house staff. Meals are charged on an ingredients-plus-transport basis.

Location: near Galle

The house sits about 12 km from Galle. The walk to the beach passes a temple, rice paddies and village shops, a real slice of rural Sri Lanka. Colombo airport is about 1 hour 45 minutes away.

Who it’s for

Large families and groups of friends, including those with children and teenagers, who want character and space rather than a modern build.

Rates and booking

Rates for The Rice House start at ₹82,500 per night for the whole villa, including taxes and service charge, and vary by season, dates and group size. Send us your dates and number of guests through the enquiry form or WhatsApp, and the Gorilla Stays team will confirm availability, the best rate and any extras such as airport transfers, a private chef or in-villa spa treatments.