Luxury Hotel · Sri Lanka
Why House
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At a glance
Why House is a ten-room boutique hotel set in a three-acre walled garden in Mihiripenna, a small village on Sri Lanka’s south coast around 10 kilometres from Galle.
It is owned and run by Henrietta, who is usually on hand throughout a stay, and the property has the feel of a private house rather than a hotel.
The pool sits at the center of the grounds, afternoon tea and cake are included in the rate each day, and the beach at Dalawella is a 15-minute walk or a short tuk-tuk ride away.
The whole property can be booked exclusively for groups, and it works as well for families as it does for couples. Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 15 to 20 minutes by tuk-tuk and worth at least a day.
Highlights
- Ten-room boutique hotel in a three-acre walled garden in Mihiripenna
- Pool, open-air gym, yoga pavilion, aqua aerobics sessions and Ayurvedic treatments available on site
- Dalawella beach 15 minutes on foot, Galle Fort 20 minutes by tuk-tuk, whale watching and turtle hatchery nearby
Accommodation
Garden Bungalows
The Garden Bungalows are 230 square feet and sit within the gardens, each with a private terrace, a king-size bed or two queens on request, and a large en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower.
They can interconnect, making them a good option for families who want some separation between sleeping areas.
Garden Villa
The Garden Villa has three rooms, two of which interconnect and one with a mezzanine sleeping level with two single beds above the double bed below, suited to families with children.
There is a wheelchair-accessible private veranda and a rain shower bathroom. The villa can be rented as a whole, sleeping up to six.
Cabanas
The Cabanas are tucked into the gardens and work well for couples who want more privacy from the main house. Each consists of two buildings linked by a covered walkway, one with the bedroom and one housing a large shower bathroom.
Main House Double
The Main House Double has a private veranda overlooking the garden and is wheelchair accessible throughout, including the large rain shower bathroom.
Main House Suite
The two Main House Suites sit in the sociable main house and are the most characterful rooms on the property. Both have four-poster beds, windows on two sides, double doors opening to a living area that can take extra beds, and glass-ceilinged bathrooms that bring the outside in above the shower.
These are the rooms to book for couples or families who want space and character in equal measure.
Further information
Food & Drink
The kitchen at Why House menu moves between Western, Lebanese and Sri Lankan dishes depending on the evening, and the curry and Lebanese feast nights have both become something of an institution among returning guests.
Breakfast is a spread of fresh fruit, curd, cereals and eggs cooked to order, often with string hoppers alongside. Afternoon tea and homemade cake are included in the rate each day.
There is a small bar stocked with local arrack, wine and cocktails, and the team can recommend nearby restaurants for guests who want a change of scene.
Spa & Wellness
Ayurvedic treatments and massages can be arranged with a visiting therapist throughout the stay.
The property also has a yoga pavilion with daily sessions and an open-air gym. The pool is the social heart of the grounds and aqua aerobics sessions run three times a week, included in the rate.
For guests heading further afield, the hotel can arrange whale and dolphin watching, surfing at Weligama, kayaking, cycling through the paddy fields and visits to the turtle hatchery nearby.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a tear-shaped island sitting off the southern tip of India in the Indian Ocean, separated from the mainland by the Palk Strait. It is small enough to cross by road in a few hours, yet varied enough to feel like several different countries within a single trip. The island has a population of around twenty-two million and a history of continuous civilization stretching back over two thousand years.
Our Experts
Sri Lanka is truly one of the most special places I've been lucky enough to visit. There's so much heritage and culture to discover on this small island nation - and the vistas are absolutely breathtaking.
Sri Lanka is the ideal place to pair with a trip to the Maldives, offering a dose of cultural stimulation following a sumptuous Maldivian escape. There's also a bounty of luxury properties in Sri Lanka.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
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