Elegant and luxurious, Doornberg has sat atop Richmond Hill overlooking Galle, Galle Fort and the ocean beyond, for over 300 years. Originally built in 1712 for a retired Dutch admiral, the fascinating history of the house has seen it used variously as a school, an orphanage, an arch-deacon’s residence and a private home before being remodelled as a boutique hotel at the beginning of the century. Its latest incarnation is the result of a loving restoration and refurbishment completed in 2023.

From the imposing colonnaded portico with its entrance stone inscribed “Doornberg 1712”, you move into the double height formal entrance gallery and thence on into the “The Great Room”, the house’s principal indoor living space. There are four large bedroom suites, each with its own independent garden access. All the suites have spacious bathrooms with cast iron baths and walk-in showers. The beds are antique Dutch four-posters dressed with nets and monogrammed linens on custom-made 10-inch-deep mattresses.

The internal verandas open on to a grassed courtyard in which you can take breakfast in the shade of the large rose-apple tree. Across the lawns you’ll find the secluded 16 metre pool, hidden from the house and offering complete privacy.

Throughout the house there is a significant collection of contemporary art, featuring pieces commissioned from Sri Lankan artists and multi-disciplinary works from Chinese and Australian artists. Doornberg’s library includes a collection of local and international publications covering art and architecture.

Please note that Doornberg does not accept guests under 12 years of age.