Khalids Guest House Galle

The hostess is a charmer, and the location is ideal. Breakfast was tasty and substantial, served in a delightful old-world setting. As a digital nomad, I depend on wifi, and I got all my work done on time. The room was clean, with high ceilings, strong air conditioning, and a strong fan. From the balcony there’s a lovely view of the sea and rooftops. I didn't hear crying babies. If you know Sri Lanka, or Indian villages, you know dogs can bark in the early hours while defending their territory. That didn't happen here to my pleasant surprise. The first night had no barking; on the second there was about 20 minutes of it. Together, those were the quietest two nights I had in 28 nights in Sri Lanka. Those are the facts.

Our stay at Khalid’s was a total disaster. I’m not sure where the good reviews come from, they may be from friends or made up. This 17th-century guest house has only two rooms and needs a lot of TLC. It was dirty: the bathroom, sinks, and fan above the bed were filthy, and the toilet seat was nearly falling off. The dressing table and side tables looked like they’d been there since the 17th century, with dirt and peeling paint. The balcony was much the same. There were tea bags but no coffee. Although breakfast was advertised, you had to arrange a set time for the owners to take you up the street for it. There was no fridge despite the listing. Dogs in the street barked at all hours, and if you needed anything, you had to call the owners. We also believe a family occupied the back of the ground floor, but had no idea who was in the house. Not reassuring for security.

Breakfast was great, and the team were personable. The houses have been renovated with real care in the old town. Some, including ours, have sea views, while others are beautiful inward-facing mansions from a more recent period.

The team were welcoming and attentive, and breakfast was generous and delicious. Try their dahl. Our room was spacious and spotless, as were the lobby and open kitchen. Though we booked at Khalid's, we were sent to another of their five buildings just around the corner. We were worried at first because the original place was under renovation and looked like a construction site. The other house meant we didn't have to deal with renovation noise or dirt. It's right inside the fort, so you can get around without a tuk tuk. One star off for the price, 160 US$ for two nights in a double room. That may have been because we booked rather last minute and it was Christmas. Still, go for it!