Templeberg Villa.

The Templeberg Villa is a central hotel that feels charmingly rustic. It’s a well-run colonial house that’s 15 minutes from the Southern Expressway, Galle, Unawatuna and Thalpe.

The Rooms

The Templeberg is a coconut estate dating back to 1864. The villa has been renovated and now has six bedrooms. The rooms cost $100-150 per night (Rs. 13,000 – 20,000) or the whole villa is $350-500 (Rs. 45,000 – 60,000).

We stayed in the conjoined rooms at the back (they share a bathroom). The rooms are quite nice – four-post beds, writing desk, reading lamps – but sharing a bathroom is not super fun. We were sharing it with friends in the other room, which was fine. We think this setup is more for families.

The other rooms are quite a bit nicer and have better bathrooms as well.

Overall the experience is like staying at a home, a very nice one. The furniture is like you’d find in a proper colonial home (Matara style almyrahs, hansi pottuwas, etc). It’s all just a bit cleaner and better kept up.

The Property

The real appeal of the Templeberg is in the property itself. There’s a nice central green area, a living room (with good books) and plenty of lounge furniture around. It’s a comfortable place to hang out and read, and quite quiet.

Location

What makes the Templeberg a cool experience is, for us, the contrast between the rustic villa and its location. From the quiet and coconut trees you’d never guess that the Southern Expressway was 15 minutes away. But it is. From the Galle exit, you turn left at the first color lights (before Galle Road). Then you take the first left turn, go up a hill and you’re there. If you continue along that road you get to Thalpe. If you take the highway exit further on you get to Galle and Unawatuna.

It’s a really convenient place (if you have a car), or even if you rent a bicycle or scooter (there’s a place near Thalpe that rents them).

The Food

The food we had was nothing to write home about. Hoppers, but served just with lunu miris, nor curries or anything. Made us a bit sad. They do make a beautiful fruit arrangement. For here the best option is taking a quick jaunt down to Wijaya Beach in Thalpe for pizza, or maybe Kingfisher in Unawatuna, or Fortaleza in Galle. There are a lot of great eating locations nearby.

The Service

It’s a family run place and they’re super nice. Also very active on Twitter. Of special note is Sandro who is a reputed guide and has a lot of knowledge across the island.

Conclusion

For a boutique experience without being completely isolated, this is a great spot. Lovely villa within 15 minutes of Galle, Thalpe and Una and about an hour and a half from Colombo.

There are a lot of places to stay in this area (Galle, Unawatuna), but they’re usually beachside hotels (which don’t have too much character beyond being close to the beach) and places in Fort (which are nice but usually small) and then the higher end boutiques (which are expensive and impersonal at times). We like the Templeberg because it’s near everything important which still feeling like a pleasantly removed colonial home.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Across Borders: A Culinary Bridge Between India and Sri Lanka Through Peshawri’s Timeless Flavors

By Vimasha Vishvadari Peshawri, a renowned restaurant chain, originated from the iconic Bukhara restaurant in

Highlights Kamu

Tenkū – a hidden Gem of the Japanese Cuisine

By Vimasha Weerawansha Ambience  The Kingsbury Rooftop offers a breathtaking panorama of the cityscape and

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Kamikura: A Journey into Authentic Japanese Cuisine

dBy Sharon Nonis Welcome to Kamikura, where the essence of Japanese cuisine meets the heart

Kamu

Full’R Burgers is Flipping into Maharagama

by Vimasha Vishvadari If you're on the lookout for the ideal burger spot in the

Kamu

Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Top Chinese Dining at ITC Ratnadipa Blends Tradition with Modern Flair

By Poornima Bandara Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Premier Chinese Dining Experience at ITC Ratnadipa

Highlights Kamu

Seafood Watti Rice: A Flavorful Feast from Fathi’s Spice Attic

Watti Rice is a delightful Sri Lankan dish that combines various meats, such as seafood

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

Mount Lavinia Hotel Hosts Traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony, Welcomes the Christmas Season with Festivities and Special Offerings

Mount Lavinia Hotel welcomed the festive season in grand style with its traditional Annual Tree

Trending

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Visionary Behind Sri Lanka’s nightlife revolution

By Vimasha Weerawansha  If you’re into nightlife and crave bold, unforgettable flavors, Sheran de Fonseka’s

Highlights Trending

Shangri-La Colombo Ushers in the Festive Season with a Spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The festive spirit came alive at Shangri-La Colombo as the hotel hosted its much-anticipated Christmas

Trending

Discover Global Tastes: A Flavorful Adventure at The Kingsbury Buffet

By Sharon Nonis The Kingsbury Colombo offers one of the finest buffet experiences in the

Trending

Authentic Fusion Paella at Ocean

From November 5th to 30th, Ocean at The Kingsbury, invites guests to enjoy an authentic

Trending

Radisson Hotel Kandy Achieves Safehotels Certification

Radisson Hotel Kandy joins Radisson Blu Resort Galle and Radisson Hotel Colombo in proudly achieving

Trending

Yamu Guide.

9 Unisex Gift Ideas for Your Friends

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Finding the perfect gift for your friends can be a delightful

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

9 Must-Read Self-Help Books for Personal Growth

By Jordain De Mel In recent years, people have turned to self-help books to serve

Highlights Yamu Guide

Top Restaurants with the best Cashback offers from Mintpay

With Mintpay, have a gastronomic journey and earn cashback rewards as you go! Every taste

Highlights Yamu Guide

10 Places To Celebrate Father’s Day 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya, Father’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring fathers and celebrating

Highlights Yamu Guide

Top 10 Places to Work or Study in Colombo in 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Hey there! Feeling the walls closing in at home while you work

Highlights Yamu Guide