This is an incredibly generous escape for a group, family or three couples. Bedrooms gaze seawards and are spacious; the indoor-outdoor living areas soothe you with squashy sofas and comfy daybeds, and the swimming pool, just a few footsteps from the front veranda, is 16m long. To cap it off, you have a small team of attentive but discreet staff, including a chef, full-time laundry lady and night security guard, to kick-start your R&R.
Designed by one of Sri Lanka's premier architects, Jayatillaka Sumangala, the villa is a contemporary construction yet the aged Dutch tiles, squat veranda columns and recycled timber door frames hark back to Sri Lanka’s golden era. Its design is effortlessly stylish, blending essential mod cons with antique pieces to create a tranquil and timeless setting. The pool is magnetic, and as you drift off next to it, lulled by the sea’s swell, the stresses of life and work are quick to melt away. Beyond the lush lawn, a white gate leads onto a long golden-sand beach, while Galle Fort, the region’s main attraction, is a 25-minute drive away.
Highs
- We immediately felt relaxed, and loved the villa’s tranquil vibe; swimming laps in the pool at sunrise was particularly memorable
- On-call manager Ruwan is a mine of local information and happy to share insider tips
- A wonderful in-house cook, who can conjure up a range of fabulous Sri Lankan and international favourites; restaurants are a 10-minute tuk-tuk away
- Great value, only a 2-night minimum stay (except over Christmas-New Year), and a reduced rate if you only take one bedroom (price on request)
- The beach is home to nesting marine turtles, which may be spied at night - and there's a turtle hatchery nearby
Lows
- All three beds are doubles, so kids will have to share or sleep on camp beds
- The sea is rough for most of the year and generally unsafe for swimming, but the pool here is incredibly inviting
- Baby cots
- High chairs
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
A babysitter or a full time nanny can be arranged with advance notice. Daily or hourly rates apply.
The chef can prepare kids' meals and the kitchen is freely accessible to guests who need to heat baby milk or cook for fussy eaters.
- Sandy beach (not suitable for swimming)
- A turtle hatchery 200m from the villa
- Boutique Villa
- 3 bedrooms
- In-house cook
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Laundry Service
Rooms
Serendipity is super stylish. The two main bedrooms sit side-by-side, and are furnished with enormous four-poster beds, twin wardrobes and a pair of countertop washbasins. Doors to either side lead to semi-open-air shower bathrooms, with palm trees reaching up into the roof. We were impressed by the grandness of our bedroom and loved waking up to ocean views while cosy in bed. The third double bedroom comes with its own staircase and a balcony overlooking the garden, and also has a TV and an ensuite shower bathroom - great for kids!
Dominating the living room are white sofas and an oversized ebony almirah, flanked by twin antique tea-rolling tables artistically crafted into mirrors. To the rear is a contemporary open kitchen, whilst across the garden, surveying the pool and Indian Ocean, is the bijou dining pavilion.
Features include:
- Fan
- In-room treatments available
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Daily breakfasts are included in the rates (either Western or Sri Lankan), while provisions for all other meals are charged at market rates and prepared by the talented in-house chef. The menu lists Western and Asian dishes, but we used it as a guide since the chef recommended dishes based on the availability of local produce.
For lunch, we tucked into yummy leek and tomato tart with a trio of fresh salads. The staff ramped up the ambiance for dinner by lighting candles in the dining pavilion and scattering pink and white temple flowers on the table. We opted for traditional Sri Lankan fare and were presented with a mouth-watering multi-curry spread which included garlic king prawns, grilled chicken, fresh mango chutney, parippu dhal and coconut sambol – a truly memorable banquet of local spices and flavours, and some of the best food we had on the island!
The flexibility of the villa’s dining arrangements is a big plus, but if you fancy a change, there's a handful of great restaurants within a 5-25 minute drive.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- In-house cook
- Kids' meals
- Lunch by arrangement
- Microwave
- Oven
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Unwind in the breezy living room, laze by the pool or in the shade of the palm trees, and wander barefoot to the white sandy beach outside. You can even book a private yoga lesson or an in-room massage if you want to completely bliss out
- Explore the idyllic locale by wandering onto the beach and heading east towards Koggala; the sands widen and you'll see the colourful timber catamarans of local fishermen
- Venture inland on a guided bicycle adventure, winding through the quietest back lanes, passing paddy fields, villages, lakes and temples
- Visit a tea or cinnamon estate; nearby is a lowland tea factory renowned for its ‘Virgin White Tea’, which offers tours of the tea gardens and antiquated factory, along with a tea-sampling session
- Surfing is popular on local beaches; Weligama (20 mins' drive) has a good surf school and you can hire boards
- Jump on the train to Bentota to visit two magical gardens: renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa’s idyllic Lunuganga, and his brother Bevis’ more intimate Brief
- Take an afternoon stroll around Galle’s historic 17thC Dutch Fort, visiting lovely boutiques and cafes, then ending up on the old ramparts for sunset
- Cricket enthusiasts can catch a game at Galle Fort's world-famous stadium
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
Best Time to go
December to April are the driest months on the south coast, but bear in mind that this is the height of the tourist season, so you'll need to book well in advance and prices are much higher. May and June are generally wet, as is November; July and August are pleasant but the Indian Ocean is rough. September and October can be sunny, though heavy rain and humidity are typical. Availability may be limited during January’s Galle Literary Festival.
Our Top Tips
You can sometimes see marine turtles in the sea shallows looking for a safe place to ‘land’ and bury their precious cargo (especially at night). If not, make for the small turtle hatchery 200m down the beach, which rescues the turtle eggs from poachers and safely releases them into the sea.
Location
Serendipity is set on Habaraduwa’s palm-fringed sandy beach, 25 minutes east of Galle on Sri Lanka's south coast.
By Air:
Fly into Colombo Bandaranaike (135km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines. It takes 3 hours by car to reach this region from Colombo - staff can arrange this for you at extra cost. Alternatively, Sri Lankan Airlines runs a convenient air taxi service from Colombo airport to Koggala Lake, 5km from the villa. From there you can jump in a tuk-tuk.
By Bus/Train:
Take a bus or train to Habaraduwa station then a tuk-tuk to the villa. It's only a short distance away.
Getting Around
If you want to hire a driver and car for your whole holiday, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Sri Lanka and getting around
Airports:
- Colombo Bandaranaike 135.0 km CMB
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 3.0 km