After a hectic couple of months, my husband and I were desperately in need of a weekend getaway, so we packed our bags and headed to Galle to stay the night at the Jetwing Lighthouse. 

The drive down south is always one that we both enjoy, passing the lush green hills and the plantations always makes us feel relaxed and instantly takes us into a holiday mode. 

Having stayed at a few Jetwing hotels previously, I was excited to experience the stay at Jetwing Lighthouse. My husband had stayed there before and had fond memories of his stay which is why he suggested it.

Situated a short drive from Galle town, it is not hard to locate the hotel. Surrounded by majestic stone walls, as you go in, the hotel gives this feel of entering a fort. As we entered, we were greeted with warm smiles and delicate lotus flowers, a lovely touch and a perfect start. 

As you enter, you will notice the striking staircase made of sculptures of horses and horsemen wielding weapons, at the bottom of the stairs lies a pond with the sun hitting it directly from the ceiling.

While waiting to be checked in, we relaxed outside, taking in the breathtaking ocean view. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocky shores and the smell of the ocean was the perfect start to our getaway. 

Shortly after settling in, a refreshment cart loaded with drinks glided over. I opted for the refreshing and cool king coconut water while my husband chose the ice tea, which was perfectly balanced with the right amount of sweetness. 

Visiting in May meant typically the start of the off-season, we anticipated rougher seas and less pristine beaches, colored slightly murkier from rainwater runoff. 

As we were escorted to our room, situated in the main wing, we couldn’t help but notice the corridors furnished with touches of Geoffrey Bawa’s designs. The rustic lanterns, dark frames and the natural rocks on the lawn echoed Geoffrey Bawa’s signature style, blending perfectly with nature. 

Entering through the turquoise-framed door, our room greeted us with Victorian-inspired furnishings and Sri Lankan craftsmanship, with handloom cushions on the bed and chairs. 

The window opened to reveal a picturesque view of the ocean. The bathroom had a surprising layout, with separate spaces for the shower, toilet, bath and sink. The highlight was the luxurious bath, with a glass frame adding a touch of luxury. The rainwater shower head had the perfect water pressure and temperature. The glass water bottles, reusable toiletries and cloth-wrapped amenities showcase Jetwing’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. 

As we stepped outside the ocean views embraced us. The coffee table with the two chairs were ideal for enjoying the morning coffee while the nearby sunbed was perfect for leisure reading or simply enjoying the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks. 

Our room, 420, offered views of all 3 pools, the main pool with its shallow depths, the baby pool and the deeper second pool reaching 14 to 17 feet. In my opinion the deeper pool was ideal to watch the sunset and had a direct view of the ocean. With the coconut trees located nearby, it created a peaceful and calm atmosphere.

As the day began to cool down, we sat by the poolside and enjoyed a couple of Lion Ice beers along with a beautifully presented pineapple mocktail that tasted as good as it looked and perfectly crispy fries served with homemade ketchup.

The afternoon heat kept us indoors until about 4.30pm, after that we headed straight to the deep pool to enjoy the sunset and a few more cold ones. The beer was served in chilled plastic glasses, perfect for poolside enjoyment. We experienced one of the most beautiful sunsets, casting hues of orange, pink and purple across the sky. A lot of the guests came out to experience the beauty of it and take insta-worthy photos. 

We enjoyed the warm pool until about 7pm and then headed for dinner around 8pm. Though we thought there might not be many guests that weekend, we were pleasantly surprised by the bustling activity at the restaurant. There were flickering kerosene lamps outside on the rocks, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere, so we decided to dine al fresco.

The dinner spread at Jetwing Lighthouse was a feast and very impressive. We started with the starters featuring a variety of salads including a fresh garden salad, hearty beetroot salad, very flavourful beef salad and more. It all looked appetizing and each delivered on taste.  

Moving on to the mains, the selection was extensive, from traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry dishes, aromatic indian curries with piping hot rotis and a variety of noodles and an assortment of meats including beef, mutton, port, chicken and seafood. The pasta section had a creamy penne and spaghetti. For me personally, the highlights included the rich mutton curry with the mini roast pan (bread), tender roast beef and the sliced tuna. Despite being quite full we managed to save room for dessert which included panna cotta, watalappam and assortment of cakes and they were all equally delightful.  

The next morning, despite our plans to go for an early morning walk, heavy rain kept us indoors. Before heading to breakfast we enjoyed a nice cup of coffee on the balcony with the view of the ocean. 

Dinner spread was impressive, breakfast spread was grand. There were so many varieties of buns, muffins and donuts alongside cereal, Sri Lankan soups (kanda), fresh bread and an assortment of fruits. The Malu pan (Fish Bun) was a standout, generously filled and perfectly baked. The fresh fruits and unsweetened juices were a refreshing start with the option to sweeten to taste with simple syrup. 

We enjoyed red & white string hoppers, fresh hoppers from the hopper station, omelet, Indian and English breakfast options with sausages, bacon and grilled tomatoes. As a Sri Lankan I particularly enjoyed the string hoppers with the rich pork curry, lentil curry and the pol sambol. 

After a satisfying breakfast, my husband caught up with his work while I stepped outside to enjoy the ocean view and the sea breeze. We leisurely made our way to check out, and there were many guests getting ready to check out. Though it was busy, the check out process was very efficient. 

As we drove away, we both felt rejuvenated and relaxed. We could help but look forward to our next visit. 

Our stay at Jetwing Lighthouse surpassed all our expectations!