Galle, Sri LankaMihiripenna
Owl and the Pussycat Hotel & Restaurant
Whimsical seaside inn
Whimsical seaside inn
Edward Lear's nonsense verse shapes the entire inn, bringing playful Victorian eccentricities to the rocky southern coast.
“Set right on the surf, the 17 clean-lined suites, which come in all shapes and sizes, are a riot of bold hues, shabby chic furnishings, and woven textures.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Four pastel buildings house suites filled with bold textiles and handcrafted artisan furniture.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Wallpaper*.
With a name taken from a poem by the Englishman Edward Lear, the Owl and the Pussycat wears its literary inspiration on its sleeve — and if you were to imagine what a modernist Sri Lankan boutique hotel dedicated to a Victorian eccentric might look like, you’d be very much on the right track.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Galle Fort's historic ramparts are twenty minutes away by tuk-tuk. Along the local shoreline, stilt fishermen still cast into the surf.
The rooms
Rooms take their names from poem verses instead of numbers, with polished concrete floors and handmade owl-shaped cushions.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The turquoise lap pool lights up with fiber optics after dark, bordered by sunbeds along the ocean lawn.
The massage pavilion
An open-air pavilion sits directly beside the water for traditional Sri Lankan body massages and aromatherapy.
Restaurant
The Runcible Spoon
Pergola-shaded tables sit beside the breaking surf, where the kitchen turns out modern Sri Lankan dishes and local seafood.
How it began
Founders Reita Gadkari and Shane Thantirimudalige established the Edward Lear Prize for Poetry to champion young Sri Lankan writers.
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.