Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Tanamera Estate Villa, Thalpe
Facts in brief
Official star rating Small luxury boutique
Location On the coastline of the small village of Talpe, approximately seven miles from Galle
Closest airport Bandaranaike International Airport
Distance from airport 98 miles
Hotel facilities and services
2-Acre estate, Large living room, Tea house with dining and living area, Swimming pool, Direct beach access.
Out and about nearby
The main attraction of your stay near Galle will be the Fort itself. Walk around the outside walls along the seafront to take in some of the most impressive views in the city, stopping off at the lighthouse, Flag Rock, and the water holes. For an informative introduction to the history of the place, visit the Maritime Museum and the Historical Mansion Museum, both of which sit just beside the harbour. In Galle proper, trace the pattern of mosques and temples that adorn the streets, and enjoy the sandy beach and green spaces. Outside of Galle, perhaps visit the less developed Unawatuna, the idyllic Jungle Beach, or Ratgama Lake. It is also worth organising visits to the nearby tea estates, and boat trips (seasonal) to see the whales and dolphins off the coast. Thalpe, the location of this boutique hotel, is perfect for whiling away the hours enjoying the scenery and the quiet way of life.
Sports nearby
Many of the nearby villages, towns, and resorts offer excellent water sports facilities, otherwise, one of main pleasures is walking or cycling along the coast and coastal roads.
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide This hotel is usually included as part of a longer touring holiday, so prices therefore vary. Please contact one of our personal travel specialists for up-to-date details and offers.
From about
Holiday Code EXH1906
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Tanamera Estate Villa, Thalpe
Hidden by palm trees on the seafront and the handcrafted gates on the edge of the estate, Tanamera Estate Villa is a boutique villa adorned by regal finishing touches. Four-poster beds sit in the centre of rooms, draped with muslin, and tall classical pillars separate the sleeping areas from the living areas. Furniture fashioned out of Sri Lankan dark wood adds a dynamic touch to the white-washed lounge and veranda, and delicate statues, low-lit lamps, and unique artworks combine to make Tanamera Estate Villa a truly individual getaway. In the main living area, a large chandelier, crafted as if out of flowers and stems, hangs in the centre of the room, and carved archways above the windows and doors filter in the sunlight. Like the living spaces, each guestroom is spacious, airy, and bears delicate and stylish Sri Lankan touches. Outside, a swimming pool in the two acres of gardens looks out over the Indian Ocean, providing the perfect idyllic spot to soak up the sunshine. An ambalama sits beneath palm trees beside the water, offering shelter from the sun, as well as a relaxing place to congregate in the afternoons or mornings while you enjoy an authentic cup of tea. In-house staff are on-hand to cook lavish dinners in the homely kitchen, which can be served in the dining room, or outside. Tanamera Estate Villa well and truly invites its guests into a world of private luxury, away from the scale of larger resorts, with exclusive access to the sea and a villa of enchanting character.
Room descriptions
Tanamera Estate Villa has 3 rooms, each with air-conditioning, en-suite, and house staff. The villa must be rented as a whole.
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide This hotel is usually included as part of a longer touring holiday, so prices therefore vary. Please contact one of our personal travel specialists for up-to-date details and offers.
From about
Holiday Code EXH1906
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Tanamera Estate Villa, Thalpe
The journey and how you get there
For a holiday to Tanamera Estate Villa in Sri Lanka, our clients fly to Colombo, usually with Sri Lankan Airways on a direct flight from London Heathrow (or with Emirates from other UK airports via Dubai). This hotel is 2 hours and 30 minutes' drive from Colombo airport and is either a stay in its own right, in which case you will have a car transfer to the hotel and back, or it is stayed at as part of a tailor-made touring holiday with a driver-guide, in which case the hotel is usually approached from Tea and Hill Country to the north or from Yala National Park.
Additional information
Children: Children are welcome.
Special offers
Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide This hotel is usually included as part of a longer touring holiday, so prices therefore vary. Please contact one of our personal travel specialists for up-to-date details and offers.
From about
Holiday Code EXH1906
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Tanamera Estate Villa, Thalpe
About Galle and south coast
A stay in Galle and southern Sri Lanka uncovers a world of historic Dutch forts, beautiful beaches and fishermen fishing on stilts, where sleepy villages lie hidden in palms behind the wide sandy bays and sheltered coves. The further east you go, the less populated and the more naturally wild and remote the landscapes become. The lush inland forest reserves in the south-west contrast sharply with the arid south-eastern national parks of Yala, Uda Walave and Bundala, where wild elephants and migratory birds flock around the water ‘tanks’ and where leopards and sloth bear have been known to roam. Between December and April, the south coast is popular for whale and dolphin watching, in the waters off Weligama Bay. Galle, on the south-west tip of Sri Lanka, is a reminder of the Dutch presence on the island. The new town may have the usual urban bustle, but the Dutch Fort, built in 1663, retains a timeless air. Constructed by the Dutch East Indian Company as a fortified town, Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site which is still intact with a thriving community living and working within its walls. You can walk along part of the ramparts with views out to sea on one side and the famous Galle cricket ground on the other. The region around Galle is fascinating and incredibly beautiful with its rainforest reserves and indigenous wildlife, as well as fishing villages and palm-fringed, sandy coves. We have selected hotels in Galle and along the South Coast which are ideally located to visit the many places of interest in the area. These hotels include Jetwing Lighthouse, a classy hotel designed by Geoffrey Bawa; The Fortress, an outstanding deluxe resort hotel; Amangalla, a splendid colonial-style hotel; Kahanda Kanda, a small and elegant countryside hotel; and Taprobane Island, a private island retreat.
Highlights of Galle and the south coast
Fascinating Galle has plenty to offer the visitor: Galle Fort – UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the few living fort cities in the world; Walk around the ramparts of Galle at dawn or at sunset; Arts & crafts shopping – jewellery, lace, rush & reed, home décor, furniture, antiques, batik and boutiques; The Dutch Reformed Church; Galle Literary Festival in January; National Museum; Maritime Museum in the Dutch warehouses of Galle Fort, just re-opened; Galle Markets; Galle Cricket Stadium; Hot-air balloon ride (December to April); River boat trip. A little way inland from Galle/Koggala: Hiyare Nature Reserve (volunteering possible); Kottawe Nature Reserve; Kanneliya Forest; Samakanda (organic farm, visit, walks and lunches available upon request); Village life bike rides; Handicrafts in the villages e.g. lace-making, rush & reed, woodcarving; Yatagala Temple. On the way from Galle to Yala you can enjoy: Stilt Fishermen; Cinnamon plantations; Unuwatuna beach; Martin Wickramasinghe’s house – museum (literary and 20th century life); Koggala Lake; Hinduangoda White tea factory and estate; Lace-making – Weligama, Dickwella; Surfing – popular surfing beaches from Unuwatuna to Mirissa; Weligama Bay; Coastal villages and fishing harbours; Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching (from Mirissa); Diving (from Mirissa); Deep-sea fishing trips (from Mirissa); Provincial town of Matara (Dutch heritage – fort and church); Dondra Head and Dondra Lighthouse; Kudawala Blow Hole; Mulkirigala Buddhist temple (inland); Uda Walawe National Park and Elephant Transit Home (inland); Sea Turtles laying their eggs on the beach, usually February to July (Rekawa Turtle Project); Kalametiya bird sanctuary; Bundala Nature Reserve (bird-watching mainly); Yala National Park; Kataragama – centre for Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim pilgrimages; Tissamaharama - ancient ‘tank’ and dagobas.
Cultural highlights of Galle and the south coast
There are many places to visit in Galle and the area along the south coast of Sri Lanka. In Galle itself, Galle Fort is home to a national museum housing Dutch and Singhalese exhibits of historical interest as well as a newly-opened Maritime Museum, a lighthouse and a 17th century Dutch Reform Church. The narrow streets within the Fort are fascinating for their architecture, lined with official buildings, shops and old town houses, some of which have been converted to stylish villas and boutique hotels. Outside the ramparts, Galle functions busily as a provincial town and port - brightly painted fishing boats line the shore and there is a lively market area with a whole pavilion dedicated to fish. Galle and the surrounding villages are full of artisans – lace makers, jewellers, woodcarvers, painters and people making things out of coir, rush and reed. The National Crafts Council has a centre by the old entrance to Galle Fort and there are plenty of small shops selling crafts, jewellery and antiques, as well as a few designer boutiques. Slightly further afield, there are numerous beautiful beaches and fishing villages including Thalpe, Unuwatuna, Matara, Koggala, Weligama Bay and Tangalle, as well as a number of National Parks with plenty of wildlife.
Festivals in Galle and the south coast
January: The Galle Literary Festival - this 4-day festival brings together Sri Lankan and international authors from around the world for writing workshops, talks, exhibitions and more at various locations in Galle. Past guests have included Vickram Seth and Gore Vidal. July: Unuwatuna Perahera - a 7-day festival commencing on full moon day. Matara/Dondra Perahera - with dedications to Lord Vishnu. Kataragama Esala Festival - a 10-day festival when pilgrims give penance to the Hindu war god, Skanda. July to September: Kite flying on the ramparts of Galle
Climate in Galle and the south coast
The average temperature on the South coast is 32° C with 65% humidity, though it is cooler and more humid in the west, getting progressively hotter and less humid the further east you go, especially the east of Tangalle. The evenings are a little cooler and the coasts enjoy sea breezes. Rainfall is experienced mainly during the south-west monsoon from May to August. The ‘calm’ season is December to April, when the seas are general calm and there is little rainfall. Whilst the sea appears calm out of the monsoons, there are still undercurrents and riptides.
