OUR STORYThe Story of The Sage House
A restored heritage villa near Galle, Sri Lanka
Built almost 150 years ago, The Sage House is a restored Sri Lankan walauwa,
a heritage manor house near Galle, set within two acres of tropical gardens.
The house combines the character of a historic home with the comforts of modern living.
It’s a rare place to relax, reconnect, and experience Sri Lanka at a gentler pace. We fell in love with it and we hope you do too.
Why “The Sage House”
We fell for two meanings at once. Sage, the soft green that runs through the house and gardens. And sage as in wisdom — a house grown wise with age, having watched over this corner of southern Sri Lanka for almost one and a half century.
We came looking for a quiet hideaway in the south, somewhere to slow down and breathe. We found a grand old home with good bones and an extraordinary garden, and fell in love with the garden first.
Old bones,
beautiful within
From the outside, The Sage House wears its age proudly — a true Sri Lankan walauwa, its architectural heritage carefully honoured rather than erased. Step inside, and it is another world: high ceilings and gracious proportions softened by beautiful fabrics, fresh flowers, original art and deep, sink-into sofas.
We've carefully updated the house with the comforts that make a stay easy and enjoyable, from quality bathroom fittings and a proper coffee machine to reliable high-speed Wi-Fi throughout.
Behind its historic walls, you'll find calm, light-filled interiors, thoughtful design, and a collection of art and objects gathered over time. The result is a home that respects its heritage while offering all the comforts of modern living.
OUR PHILOSOPHYA home away from home
Sharing our home and experience with you.
Everything we do comes back to four things we'd never compromise on.
Home away from home
The ease of being at home — only better looked after.
Warm Sri Lankan hospitality
A resident team who look after you, genuinely.
Connection with nature
Two acres of garden, with peacocks, monkeys and birdsongs.
Privacy & seclusion
A secret garden, away from the bustle, entirely yours.
The property & its gardens
Set within two acres of mature tropical garden, The Sage House is surrounded by palms, fruit trees and flowering plants, with shaded pathways and quiet corners throughout. The garden gives the house its natural privacy — and its sense of calm, hour after hour.
Across the grounds you'll find different places to settle: a terrace for tea, a window seat for a book, a spot by the 12-metre pool. Monkeys pass overhead and peacocks cross the lawn. It is, as we like to say, a place for the soul, history, landscaped gardens and spacious, artistic living, all in one.
“We treat The Sage House as our forever home & welcome you into it as guests of the house.”
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE HOUSEA home, shared
We're the family who fell for this garden. What began as a search for a quiet hideaway in the south became a labour of love — restoring an almost 150-year-old house, room by room, into the home we'd always wanted, and then deciding to share it.
Today a warm resident team looks after the house and everyone in it. We stay close from your very first message and are here to answer questions before you arrive, stock the house to your tastes, and help with drivers, dinners and the small details that make a holiday effortless.
We don't think of The Sage House as a hotel but as our forever home that we’d love to share with you as guests of the house.
With love, The Sage House family
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSAbout The Sage House
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It carries two meanings at once: sage, the soft green that runs through the house and gardens, and sage as in wisdom — for a home that has stood near Galle for almost 150 years.
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The house is almost 150 years old. It is a restored Sri Lankan walauwa — a traditional manor house. Its heritage architecture carefully preserved while modern comforts were introduced inside.
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A warm resident team — house manager, housekeeping, grounds team and night security looks after the villa while respecting your privacy.
We also stay in touch from your first enquiry, helping plan drivers, dining and the details of your trip.
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It is a whole private home and two-acre garden that are yours alone — the comfort and service of a five-star stay, but none of the anonymity. The house is pre-stocked to your tastes and tailored to your family, so it feels personal from the moment you arrive.
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