Owl and The Pussycat

Vibrant and romantic, this quirky hotel on Sri Lanka's south coast is always a favourite.

Sri Lanka's southern coast is like something from a fairy tale. Think languid stretches of soft, toes-in-the-sand beach, gently rolling surf and all the while, a languid sense of peaceful contemplation... It was this palm-lined dream world that...

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Jonty

Eve

Kristin

4.9 out of 5 stars Average guest rating

About Owl and The Pussycat

Sri Lanka's southern coast is like something from a fairy tale. Think languid stretches of soft, toes-in-the-sand beach, gently rolling surf and all the while, a languid sense of peaceful contemplation... It was this palm-lined dream world that inspired the fantastical scribblings of Edward Lear, which the hotel is named after. At the Owl and The Pussycat, everything is rather poetical, each room splashed with bright colours, pleasing artwork and a whimsical name (the Suite Melodies sounds sublime). Head up or down the coast to find surfing and snorkelling hot spots, see the iconic figures of stilted fishermen or Galle's historic fort.

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From $90 person/night

Galle, The South Coast, Sri Lanka

What you'll love

The gorgeous ocean scenes and laid-back atmosphere, where Lear's words could just come true: "And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the moon.".

Insiders tip

The hotel hosts a portion of the Galle Literary Festival each year (usually in January), so plan ahead if you'd like to attend.

Something to think about

The standard rooms are fairly dark with no sea view, which might not be to everyone's liking.

The property

Designed to evoke a ship's hull, the hotel captures the spirit and flair of Lear's poetry. Inside, the Drawing Room is a homely space with plush, magenta couches, patchwork rugs and an enviable collection of books. When lunch rolls around, take a seat on the terrace to tuck into fresh Sri Lankan cuisine at Botanik, where seafood is a regular feature. In between meals, grab a cocktail at the beach shack, enjoy a dip in the saltwater pool or luxuriate with a massage at the seaside pavilion.

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The rooms

Each named after a 'character' from the poem, the rooms and suites are decorated in bespoke art and furniture with bright walls, floral textiles and plenty of unique flair. Differing in size, the rooms all have a balcony or patio where you can sip on a cup of Ceylon, while the larger suites offer an eclectic lounge area, dining table and small open-plan kitchen. You'll purposefully find no TV or entertainment system, but instead there are many, many books. Through sliding screens, the bathrooms are finished with polished concrete counters and rainfall showers.

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Activities

The long-standing Galle Fort is first on many itineraries, where you'll explore the great ramparts and excavate tiny market lanes for hidden treasures. Inland, there are fragrant cinnamon farms and tea plantations to stroll, and along the coast, there are innumerable beachy coves for an afternoon of snorkelling, surfing and sunning. Between November and April, whales can be spotted from the shore and tiny turtles make their way to the sea. In the evening, head to a quiet rice paddy for an authentic roti dinner.

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About Galle

Galle

The South Coast

A cosmopolitan colonial town on the sultry south-west coast stuffed with hipper-than-hip eateries, hotels and cafes.

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