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The late Douglas Johnson - a prominent American artist – fell so in love with this characterful colonial cottage on the sandy shores of Seenimodera two decades ago that he immediately bought it. He adored the tranquillity, the seclusion and the beauty of this coastal location so much that he spent every winter painting here. Johnson worked on the house and grounds, adding the ‘Yellow Studio’ near to the entrance gate and the ‘Blue House’ to one corner of the garden, along with the help of his very good friend, the late Geoffrey Bawa – Sri Lanka’s architectural maestro.
After Johnson died, the house was brought gracefully up to date. Outdoor bathrooms were added, a striking emerald green swimming pool was installed and cosy interior furnishings brightened the indoors. But even despite these contemporary additions its artistic ambiance endures. Many of Johnson’s paintings and shell-encrusted picture frames still adorn the walls. That so many of his creations were salvaged after the tsunami swept through the house seven years ago was nothing short of a miracle.
A luscious garden envelopes the house, leading down to an iconic garden gate that transports you to the beach. Heliconias and bright white frangipani flowers provide a touch of colour amid the garden’s verdant green whilst a little sand garden has been created near to the border with the beach so you can sunbathe on your own private patch of sand. The beach itself is beautifully unspoilt and rarely do you see many people. Its most frequent visitors are the crabs that skitter in and out of holes as the tide ebbs and flows, and the fishermen who haul their nets hopefully onto the soft golden shore.
The house comes with a gentle staff of five (including one who started out with Johnson over 16 years ago) who discreetly tend to the needs of the guests including cooking and provisioning (food costs on guest account). The Beach House is all about escapism and it is just perfect for families and friends in search of reclusive relaxation as well as artists and writers seeking inspiration and the utmost tranquility to carry out their work.
Distances
- International airport
- 218 KM
- Hikkaduwa
- 89 KM
- Mirissa
- 33 KM
- Unawatuna
- 68 KM
- Matara
- 28 KM
- Colombo
- 187 KM
- Kataragama
- 92 KM
- Galle
- 73 KM
- Tissamaharama
- 75 KM
- Tangalle
- 7 KM
No reviews yet at the moment
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Sleeping Capacity: | 10 |
| Location: | South Coast |
Bedrooms setup |
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| • Bedroom 1 | Double |
| • Bedroom 2 | Double |
| • Bedroom 3 | Twin |
| • Bedroom 4 (The Blue Room) | Double |
| • Bedroom 5 (The Yellow Studio) | Double |
Staffs
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Key Amenities
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Ambalama |
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Fabulous Balinese-inspired beach villa in an excellent location on the Galle coast close to shops, bars, attractions and restaurants. With 4 bedrooms, Ambalama is ideal for families, groups and couples alike. This fully-serviced tropical villa comes with an infinity swimming pool, large grassy garden, cosy lounging areas and superb chef. |
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Ambassador's House |
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The expansive living and dining areas of this evocative 5-bedroom family-friendly villa in the heart of Galle Fort offer plenty of potential for entertaining. Spread between two expansive buildings fringed by courtyard gardens, this fully staffed villa features a lap pool, expansive roof terrace and plenty of kids’ facilities. |
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Sri Villas - Araliya (Villa Three) |
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The largest of Sri Villas’ trio of contemporary beachside holiday homes that share a big, sunset-view swimming pool and tropical garden, 4-bedroomed Araliya is fully-staffed and great for one or two families. If booked in conjunction with its two neighbouring villas it’s also an excellent choice for extended groups. |
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The Beach House |
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Beautiful Bawa-enhanced former artist-owned beach house set in a tropical garden near to Tangalle, ideal for families, couples or groups. With 5 intimate rooms, a large swimming pool and direct ocean views this chic beach retreat is pleasantly secluded although conveniently enough located to visit Tangalle’s main attractions. |
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Blue Heights |
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Relaxed, family friendly, tropical home with an expansive garden, ocean views and a lovely pool and jacuzzi on a sunny lawn. Managed by a husband-and-wife team, Blue Heights offers 4-bedrooms and unfussy interiors that open widely to the views; the location is tranquil and the beach is five minutes’ walk away. |
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Brockenhurst |
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Perched on a hillside overlooking Nuwara Eliya, Brockenhurst is a century-old classified heritage home set in a one-acre garden with two-tiered lawn. Featuring 4 comfortable bedrooms and a cosy lounge with open fireplace, this serviced property is a nostalgic base from which families and groups can explore the hill country. |
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Claughton House |
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One-of-a-kind Geoffrey Bawa-designed 5-bedroom hillside house, dating back to 1984 and set in eight landscaped acres near Dickwella with fantastic panoramas over Kudawella Bay. Each bedroom has a sea view and there are two swimming pools, a dedicated staff team and direct access to a lengthy palm-fringed beach. |
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Coconut Grove |
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This beautifully renovated cottage set amidst leafy tropical gardens in a tranquil village near Ahangama, is just five minutes’ walk from the beach. With 4 bedrooms, plus living and dining areas, the property is spacious, airy and light and enhanced by a deep blue swimming pool beside an elevated ambalama. |
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Craig Appin Bungalow |
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Escape to a cooler climate and relish the tranquillity of days gone by at 5-bedroom Craig Appin Bungalow near Hatton in the southwest Hill Country. Encircled by a pretty garden, the bungalow is fully staffed and features a living room, a TV Lounge, a dining room and a furnished veranda. |
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Anilana Craigbank Nuwara Eliya |
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An evocative 160-year-old bungalow overlooking Nuwara Eliya town surrounded by a well-maintained garden of clipped lawns, preened hedges and scented roses. With 4 comfortable bedrooms, open fireplaces, cosy lounges, an elegant dining room and plenty of colonial character, this is a gorgeous holiday home in the hills. |
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Dick Oya Bungalow |
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This atmospheric ex-planters abode perched on the summit of a tea-clad hill above Dick Oya features 4 spacious bedrooms, including a family suite, a handful of living rooms and a gorgeous four-acre garden bursting with flowers and vegetables. It’s fully staffed, and makes a perfect base for savouring the great outdoors. |
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The Dutch House |
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A striking eighteenth century Dutch colonial mansion that stands in glorious landscaped gardens overlooking, but hidden from, the town of Galle. Offering quiet seclusion close to all major attractions including Galle Fort and the beaches, it features 4 luxurious suites, exquisite art and antiques and a wonderful ‘treetop’ swimming pool. |
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Footprints Villa |
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Dalawella’s famous swimming beach is just a 100m stroll from this contemporary 4-bedroom seaside villa, eight kilometres from Galle. Ample living space spreads across two floors and the villa also features a TV room, two dining areas and a six-metre swimming pool. Footprints is staffed and completely air-conditioned. |
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IF Villa |
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Sited on the most desirable section of beach in Talpe, IF is a gorgeous Dutch-colonial-style villa with verdant garden, spacious sundeck, panoramic ocean views, private swimming pool and spacious dining pavilion. The property comes staffed with a cook and is perfectly set up for families and groups of friends. |
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Illuketia |
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Surrounded by paddy fields amidst a rural village just 10 minutes from Galle and south coast beaches, fully staffed Illuketia is a magnificent, tranquil 4-bedroom colonial plantation villa with a large garden featuring exotic plants and trees, shaded pathways, a pond house, an organic garden and a beautiful swimming pool. |
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Indisch |
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Oceanfront Indisch is superbly located on a picturesque curve of sandy coastline south east of Galle and features a large swimming pool and an expansive lawned garden with kid’s playground. Ideal for families and groups, this hugely spacious villa comes with an exceptional staff team, and is very private and secure. |
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Ivory House |
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An elegant country villa overlooking a lowland valley of paddy fields, with 4 bedrooms, generous living spaces, a modern open-plan kitchen and a helpful team of staff. Enveloped by a lush palm-spiked tropical garden, Ivory House also has a gorgeous lap pool that takes full advantage of the rural vistas. |
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Kadju House |
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Kadju House is a contemporary 4-bedroom villa enhanced by tropical scenery, abundant wildlife and a fabulous location minutes away from beautiful, deserted beaches. With a minimalist design that frames the spectacular sea views, this fully-serviced beach pad with pool and spa offers blissful serenity for couples, groups and nature lovers. |
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Kurulla Villa |
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A 4-bedroomed family house just five minutes from Unawatuna Beach and ten from Galle. Featuring high timber ceilings, polished cement floors, antiques and warm furnishings, Kurulla Villa is a spacious fully-staffed property enveloped by large gardens with grassy lawns, palms and fruit trees, and enhanced by a fabulous swimming pool. |
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The Lavender House |
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Glorious nineteenth century tea planter’s bungalow in the Hill Country, exquisitely restored to combine yesteryear’s charms with today’s comforts. Fully staffed and featuring five luxurious bedrooms, inviting living areas, a stone-pillared verandah and a beautiful garden with stunningly situated infinity pool, this superb holiday home has enormous appeal. |
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Malgedara |
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Charming 4-bedroom colonial villa with pool near Koggala Lake and not far from the beach; highlighted by a spacious tropical garden abundant in plants, trees and wildlife. A nature lover’s paradise and a great family home, Malgedara is serenity in an authentic village setting, ideally located to explore the Galle region. |
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Max Wadiya |
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Wide access onto an almost deserted sandy beach near Ambalangoda coupled with a large palm-shaded garden are highlights of 5-bedroom Max Wadiya. Relaxing, spacious, comfortable and full of colonial antiques, this villa is ideal for extended families, two individual families or groups of friends. Rates include all meals. |
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Maya |
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This contemporary-styled but century-old manor house inland from Tangalle is the perfect tonic for anyone needing R&R. With 5 bedrooms, a 20m pool, an excellent chef and a two-acre garden that spills onto the facing rice fields, fully staffed Maya is a serene and beautiful place to relax and unwind. |
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Mihiri Beach House |
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This vibrant 4-bedroom beach house is just around the corner from Dalawella’s tranquil beach and restaurants, near historic Galle. Expansive living areas spill onto a convivial pool terrace and tropical garden, a staff of four includes a chef, and 10% of Mihiri House rental rates go to a local charity. |
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Mirissa Hills - Mount Cinnamon |
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Set on a 50-acre cinnamon plantation, this spectacular 4-bedroom villa offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama over the ocean and hills. Fully staffed and immaculately presented, this art-filled property with its spacious rooms, cooling verandas, swimming pool and fabulous ocean-facing lawn, is ideal for weddings, groups of friends and intimate celebrations. |
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Ocean’s Edge |
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This grand 4-bedroom fully staffed villa sits in extensive gardens and offers true escapism beside a blissfully isolated beach visited by turtles. Ideal for families, groups and nature lovers, the house is spacious and has a big, fenced T-shaped pool. There are plenty of exciting national parks to visit nearby. |
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Olanda Beach House |
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Lush palm-shaded lawns topped with loungers soaking up the serenity of sun and sea stretch generously in front of this five-bedroom beach pad that feels spacious even when full. There’s a swimming pool and loads of living space whilst Olanda’s staff of four graciously tend to your needs. |
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Old Palm House |
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Pitched on a leafy hill in tranquil Heenatigala, this fully staffed 4-bedroom villa with secluded swimming pool and private chef is within an easy drive of Talpe’s picturesque south coast beaches and Galle. Prettily wrapped by a lush garden with superb valley views, this recently renovated house is particularly family-friendly. |
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Siri Wedamedura |
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A chicly renovated historic manor house set in five acres of grounds a few minutes’ walk from Mirissa harbour (for seasonal whale- and dolphin-watching cruises) and a popular palm-fringed beach. Fully staffed, 4-bedroomed Siri Wedamadura has a fabulous swimming pool, alfresco living and dining areas and a well-equipped kitchen. |
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Pointe Sud |
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This exclusive, elegant and exceptionally located cliff-top villa boasts the most panoramic ocean vistas of any in Sri Lanka. Fully-staffed, 5-bedroomed Pointe Sud bursts with character whilst the tropical 5-acre garden, set above a deserted stretch of beach, features a stunning infinity pool, sunset-view pavilions, lookouts and manicured lawns. |
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Galle Henna Estate |
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Ideal for family holidays, Galle Henna Estate is a beautifully renovated 5-bedroomed manor house set within spacious grounds overlooking acres of vivid green paddy fields, five minutes from the beach. There’s a swimming pool in the wildlife-filled garden and the elegant interior design of the house makes it feel like home. |
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Villa Pooja Kanda |
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This 5-bedroomed colonial-style hilltop villa near Koggala is enveloped by an expansive tropical garden and is a paradise for exotic wildlife and birds. The villa, which has a blissful 10m swimming pool, is fully staffed and incredibly private, and beaches are only a ten-minute drive away. |
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Rangala House |
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A charming homely 4-bedroomed converted planter’s bungalow with stunning views overlooking the wooded hills and tea plantations above Kandy complete with private swimming pool and a full complement of staff. Perfect for those who enjoy walking, nature, the great outdoors or simply relaxing. |
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Satin Doll |
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An elegant 4-bedroom beach villa, with a near-symmetrical design, which works well for two families holidaying together. The ocean views are shared from every room, living and dining space abounds – both inside the house and out in the garden – and there’s a pool, TV snug and enthusiastic staff team. |
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Satori |
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Beautifully serene hillside manor house with spectacular jungle views just a five minute drive inland from Unawatuna. With 4 bedrooms, glorious swimming pool, massage and yoga pavilions, a luxe of living space and terraced rambling gardens Satori is a heavenly escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life. |
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Six Degrees North |
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Boasting absolute beachfront on a delicious slice of sand south of Ambalangoda, Six Degrees North is a chilled tropical retreat for a family or group of friends. Homely, relaxed and fully staffed, this 5-bedroom property with palm-peppered garden, pool and garden pavilion also offers a variety of Ayurvedic treatments. |
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Skye House |
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Standing on an idyllic sandy swathe of beachfront near Galle, the fabulous 4-bedroom Skye House is blessed with a lovely pool, tropical gardens and a full complement of staff. An additional kids’ bunk room (sleeping 6), plus a dedicated playground and plentiful toys make this house exceptional for families. |
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Strathdon Bungalow |
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From its private hilltop perch in the southwest Hill Country, 100-year-old Strathdon Bungalow gazes through stands of giant bamboo across spectacular tea-clad mountains and verdant valleys. Home to 4 bedrooms and a lovely ‘breakfast terrace’, this family house comes with a small staff team including cook and non-resident manager. |
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Talaramba Reef Villas - Villa Sulanga |
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Villa Sulanga is one of two Talaramba Reef Villas on the beachfront near sultry Mirissa Bay. The 4 bedrooms are equally sized and sea-view verandas are furnished for living and dining. The villa is fully staffed and has a huge pool, spacious living room and enormous (but shared) garden. |
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Villa Suriyawatta |
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Set on a pretty stretch of coastline near Weligama, Villa Suriyawatta is a convivial 5-bedroom oasis with graceful living areas, sweeping sea views and a gorgeous garden and pool. It’s well equipped for kids, has a Sonos sound system wired to the pool area and an excellent staff team. |
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Taprobane Island |
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An enchanting private island escape set just 150m off the coast of Weligama, 30 minutes from Galle. Hopelessly romantic and wonderfully private, this five bedroom 1920s mansion is set amidst two and a half acres of lush tropical gardens with infinity pool and breathtaking spots to appreciate the panoramic views. |
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Villa Republic Bentota |
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This 5-bedroom riverside villa in the west coast water sports resort of Bentota celebrates cultural revolutionaries in both name and décor. Furnished with striking oriental pieces set within elegant open-plan living areas, this staffed family friendly villa with swimming pool, garden and private jetty is five minutes from the beach. |
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Talaramba Reef Villas - Villa Vatura |
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Villa Vatura is one of two Talaramba Reef Villas on the beachfront near sultry Mirissa Bay. The 4 bedrooms are equally sized and sea-view verandas are furnished for living and dining. The villa is fully staffed and has a huge private pool, spacious living room and an enormous (but shared) garden. |
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Victoria |
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Gorgeous 5-bedroom private beach villa with spacious palm-shaded garden, inviting swimming pool and sweeping sea views that’s only eight kilometres from Galle. Victoria’s restful character, experienced staff team and useful location close to many attractions and facilities make it an excellent holiday home for families, groups and couples alike. |
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The Weir House |
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The blissful natural setting of this hillside holiday home is the leading ingredient in its authentic recipe for rest and relaxation. Generously blended with comfortable rooms, home-cooked meals, a mountainside plunge pool and six-acres of nature-filled garden to explore, the eco-friendly Weir House is a beautiful retreat from the world. |
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