In summary
Situated majestically on a hill bathed in vegetation, Villa Pooja Kanda is a tranquil five-bedroom villa just ten minutes’ inland from the beach at Habaraduwa on Sri Lanka’s south coast, close to historic Galle.
Wide verandas, cool wraparound balconies, arched doorways and lofty beamed ceilings characterise this serene Dutch-colonial style villa that’s perfect for groups and families looking to connect and unwind. Villa Pooja Kanda’s tranquility is further enhanced by a garden enlivened by birdsong, squirrels and inquisitive monkeys. The villa is fully staffed and comes with a swimming pool, an air-conditioned TV room and a fully equipped kitchen.
10 people (4 king-bedded rooms; 1 queen bedroom). Additional 3 single mattresses available on request (for children; no charge).
Indoors
Living room with multiple sets of elegant arched doorways spilling onto the front veranda, furnished with sofa, daybeds and table with four chairsFan-cooled dining room with wooden dinning table for eight Fully equipped kitchenAir-conditioned TV room with built in sofas and 42-inch Satellite TV
Outdoors
Swimming pool (10 x 7m) fringed by lush foliage, veranda and deck chairsAlfresco, glass-topped dining table for six on back verandaBillowing gardens filled with frolicking monkeys and birdsongSmall outdoor dining table in verdant jungle setting Stone steps leading to a high rocky outcrop with built-in seatWide, pillared verandas encircling both floors of the villa
Staff and Service
One of the greatest advantages of staying in a villa is the personal service provided by professional staff. From the minute you arrive, our personable team is dedicated to providing you with the best care possible, so that you instantly feel relaxed and at home. Recruited from the local area, they will tend to you in the traditional Sri Lankan way and strive to meet all your expectations and requests.
Villa Supervisor : Villa Pooja Kanda’s Villa Supervisor (who lives offsite) is in charge of overall villa operations, including staffing, special requests, transport requirements and guest satisfaction. She will drop into the villa on request and may be contacted 24 hours a day.
Private Chef: The villa’s qualified chef is well-versed in local and international cuisine. He prepares daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and will do his best to accommodate special requests or dietary requirements.
Service Staff : Our team of staff discreetly keeps the villa clean and tidy whilst ensuring guests have everything they need.
Gardeners : Our gardener tends the two-acre garden daily, and maintains the swimming pool.
Security: Trained security guards keep the villa safe and secure 24 hours a day.
Location
Pooja Kanda sits on the top of a hill near Koggala and the south-coast market town of Habaraduwa, ten minutes' inland from the beach. Famous for accommodating the celebrated Sri Lankan author, Martin Wickramasinghe (who has an interesting museum dedicated to him in town), Koggala has a fine stretch of beach and is renowned for its enchanting lagoon. Here, rich jungle spills onto a meandering expense of water traversed by fishermen leaving nothing but soft ripples in their wake. A boat ride to spice gardens, bird-filled islands and Buddhist temples is the best way to familiarise yourself with these sensational surroundings and be absorbed by local life around the lake. Galle’s seventeenth-century Dutch fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is a 20-minute drive away. The fort’s narrow cobbled streets are home to splendid colonial buildings, tiny cafes, churches, boutiques and museums whilst its mighty grass-tufted ramparts are the place to be for superb seaside sunsets.
Your villa supervisor has a wealth of information about nearby places of interest and will help arrange transport and make any bookings required. Do also ask the staff about the local area. Many of them live nearby and will be able to give an interesting insight into some of the fascinating aspects of Sri Lankan life.
Jonathan A.
23/02/2013 - 02/03/2013
