Why House

As a couple we stumbled upon Why House in Oct 2024 and enjoyed a fantastic few days in a small, luxurious compound just away from the hustle of the outside world. A step back in time with beautiful, large, clean rooms. Great staff and great food available if you want to eat in (which is recommended at least a couple of nights). The breakfast is a real treat and gets every day off to a good start. A short ride into Galle or along the coast is easy from Why House. Henrietta and all of the staff will ensure your stay is as perfect as you are hoping for in a beautiful part of Sri Lanka. We especially thank them for going more than just a few extra yards when we needed it.

Why House was the perfect end to our Sri Lankan adventure—a retreat filled with charm, elegance, and hospitality at every turn. Set in a lush, tranquil location, it was also ideally situated, with easy access to the lively beaches of Unawatuna and the colonial allure of Galle. From the moment we arrived, the staff stood out as exceptional. They were so well-trained, anticipating our every need with the kind of attentiveness that felt entirely natural. The colonial charm of the property added to the experience, with beautiful touches and thoughtful details in every corner. Our beds were wonderfully comfortable, making every night a restful one after our days of exploration. Starting our mornings with a scenic bike ride from *Idle Bikes*, we’d pedal through paddy fields around Koggala Lake before returning for a hearty Sri Lankan breakfast. Afternoons saw us snorkelling with turtles and unwinding with lime margaritas, followed by yoga (which was less gentle than anticipated!) and ending the day with a delicious seafood dinner featuring the freshest local catch. Our last day was delightfully lazy—lounging by the amazing pool at Why House, joining a water aerobics session organised by Henrietta, and soaking in every last moment. We finished our stay with a tuk-tuk ride to Galle, where we enjoyed sundowners, shopping, and a memorable dinner. Why House encapsulated everything we love about Sri Lanka—warm hospitality, old-world charm, and absolute comfort, creating the perfect end to our journey.

We had a wonderful stay at TWH. The setting was ideal for a very relaxing week. The staff were excellent, doing everything to make our stay enjoyable and our toddler was very well looked after. Henrietta was very hospitable and the whole place has a brilliant atmosphere. We would highly recommend TWH, it is quietly simply one of the best places at which we have stayed. Dilu helped look after our little girl sometimes which was very much appreciated. We would love to return! Oh also we forgot to mention the food, absolutely delicious!

We visited Why House in October as a group of four (two couples). It was incredible in every way - an absolute gem hosted by the loveliest team. The location was stunning, the gardens are just beautiful and grounds so well looked after. The rooms are perfect, lots of attention to detail and a very comfortable stay. The food was simply delicious, breakfast is amazing and the family style dinner is definitely one to not miss. Henrietta and lovely Letty are incredibly welcoming and accommodating, and her team really make you feel welcome. I could not recommend Why House more.

Where do I start… from the moment we arrived at Why House, it felt like a little sanctuary after the long drive from the Hills, and the perfect destination for the rest of our holiday. Henrietta greeted us like family and made us feel so welcome and relaxed. All the staff were wonderful and especially fantastic with our 9 month baby… always keen to give her a cuddle! Our room (room 1) was beautiful and a great setup for a family, with a separate living area and huge bathroom. The food was so fantastic that we only ate out once and were disappointed when we did, as it didn’t live up to the Why House cuisine. We loved the fact that we could put our daughter to bed and have a relaxed dinner with the baby monitor stretching to the dining room and bar! The pool area is gorgeous and we enjoyed aqua aerobics on 2 occasions which was great fun. Roshan the Why House tuk tuk driver was brilliant and it was so handy to have him onsite to take us to the beach and into Galle Fort. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Why House, and especially to those with children wanting a relaxed holiday, you won’t regret it! Thank you to Henrietta and all the team at Why House, we will be back!

Why House Hotel was exceptional! Set in beautiful gardens with peacocks roaming, a gorgeous pool, stunning rooms with super comfy beds, very attentive staff, delicious food and the entertainment put on was spectacular. We could even ring a little bell for our morning tea to be bought to us in our room before breakfast! I would highly recommend it.