Overview
This newly renovated villa in the south west is set in informal gardens which stretch down to the wide, soft beach, accessed through a private gate. Palm trees are scattered throughout the grounds affording welcome shade to guests relaxing with a book or dozing off their jet lag.
The separate living, dining, and sleeping pavillions give the resort a Balinese flavour, but the wide windows, timbered ceilings and polished cement floors are pure Sri Lanka. The elegant hardwood, slatted shutters at every window ward off the noonday sun but allow the welcoming sea breezes through.
The spacious living pavillion is placed centrally in the grouping and has elegant, comfortable furniture, colourful cushions, low tables with fresh fruit and wonderful extended window seating begging you to lie down and drink in the views across the garden and out to sea.
The swimming pool is large enough to enjoy, yet small enough for young children to feel safe and there is plenty of lounging area around with sun beds and umbrellas for watchful parents or nanny. The low, woven fencing between the garden and beach also prevents small children from wandering too far.
Stroll along this beach to a beautiful lagoon safe for bathing. Watching the stilt fishermen is an education in patience.
Nuwan, the chef, presides over a modern, well equipped kitchen. Assisting him is a senior houseboy, two more general staff and a room girl. A night watchman and two gardeners complete the team, ensuring a well run, spotless, stress-free visit.
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Rooms
The villa ideally sleeps 6 adults and three children or two children and a nanny. There are 4 separate 'sleeping pavillions'.
3 Double rooms are each spacious, with large shuttered windows. Elegant, comfortable, upholstered sofas are scattered with soft cushions, ample storage furniture and small tables are conveniently placed and the king-size bed is generously draped with mosquito nets.
These rooms are all at the front of the villa, taking advantage of the unhindered views - sun rise, boats at sea or just the sea birds, without even getting out of bed. All these rooms have en suite bathrooms with shower.
The children's wing has one twin room, a single room, a sitting area and a shared bathroom.
Dining
The open sided dining pavillion is close to the pool and has a large dining table for 'get together' meals. However barbeques, picnics or intimate dinners a deux can be arranged anywhere or anytime around the grounds or in your room. Chef Nuwan and his staff will be happy to help create any atmosphere you desire.
Breakfast is provided and included in your room rate. Other meals are taken by arrangement with Nuwan. If you wish to dine in, he will suggest menus (some learnt on his secondment to the U.K.) and shopand cook for you. You may provide him with the anticipated amount of money 'up front' or visit the market with him to see what is on offer and the general cost of produce. As you may imagine, sea - food figures prominently in the local fare. Scrupulous kitchen accounts will be kept and presented.
Things to do & local tips
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Swimming in the pool or the ocean
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General lounging in the gardens and unwinding
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Enjoying the miles of soft, clean sand
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Visiting local temples for an insight into local life and customs
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Galle, with its Dutch/Portuguese/Brittish colonial history, is just 11km away. Immerse yourself in local 'village' life - restaurants, shops etc. culminating in the obligatory sunset stroll along the ramparts of Galle Fort, quite spectacular. Although crowded, Sunday afternoon provides hours of 'people watching' on the grassy lawns of the Fort (and the local ice creams are pretty good).
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Water sports for the more active are easily arranged in nearby unawatuna. Scuba diving, P.A.D.I. courses, or for the experienced divers there are good wreck and reef dives nearby, though you need to check local conditions in monsoon months.