Wirdana Spa & Villas

Rooms

The 4 free-standing modernist villas sit in a separate walled garden to the pool and restaurant. Each villa is identical, offering 4 bedrooms (2 kingsize and 2 twins), 2 open-air shower bathrooms, a spacious open-plan living room, a pantry and a dining veranda.

We loved the calming earthy colour schemes and the simplicity of timber furnishings, cement floors and built-in shelving. Bedrooms are spacious, with air conditioning and ceiling fans for keeping cool, and French windows for direct access to the garden. The TV in the lounge feels a little out of place given that the main focus of the hotel is relaxation, but it is insignificantly small.

Smaller families can opt for one of the 2 Family Rooms, which each have a kingsize bed, an ensuite shower bathroom and space for an additional bed. Couples or solo travelers should request one of the 2 Spa Rooms (book early). Located within the main spa building, each has a double garden-view bedroom with ensuite shower bathroom.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The menu goes beyond the typical Asian-inspired options, making good use of the region’s fragrant spices and fresh seafood, as well as European influences. Presentation is beautiful, with many dishes served artistically on wooden boards. Meals can be served in the privacy of your villa or at the breezy, open-sided restaurant with views over the pool and garden.

For breakfast (included in your room rate), there's a spread of tropical fruit, buffalo curd and honey, plus fruit juice and a smoothie. This can be enlarged with additional elements such as Wirdana’s unique take on eggs Benedict, or perhaps coconut roti with curries and a tomato and chilli sambol.

There’s a wide menu for lunch, and many dishes are based around filled wontons, samosas and dumplings accompanied by dipping sauces. More substantial options include sandwiches and grilled fish served with lightly dressed piles of fresh salad. In the evening, a set menu is typically served though à la carte is available on request. Most meals are Western, though they also put on Sri Lankan-themed dinners.

Features include:

• Bar
• Coffee maker
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Make use of the hotel’s lovely spa, and try a singing bowls meditation session, which you won’t find anywhere else in Sri Lanka
  
• Pitiwella Beach is within walking distance, but better alternatives are Galle’s eastern beaches or those in surf-orientated Hikkaduwa
  
• Take a few hours to explore Galle Fort with its maze-like streets, which are flanked by centuries-old buildings, cafés and one-of-a-kind boutiques
  
• Take a boat trip up the serene Gin Ganga River to glimpse local wildlife, or head to the nearby Rathgama Lagoon

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Well being

Kids

The hotel is well set up for families given that lots of the rooms are in 4-bedroom villas. The staff are very amenable to kids and the kitchen has a flexible approach to dining so guests can take meals on the veranda of their villa; chef can customise and personalise dishes upon request. However, this is a spa hotel with a calm setting, so probably most suitable for older children.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The villas are ideal for families, accommodating up to 8 people in 2 kingsize bedrooms and 2 twin bedrooms. There are also 2 Family Rooms with space for an extra bed.

Distances:

• Beach: 0.5km
• Airport: 148km (Colombo)
• Hospital: 7km (Galle)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Wirdana Spa & Villas is a few minutes’ drive inland from Pitiwella, a small coastal village, and 8.5km from Galle in southwest Sri Lanka.

By Air:
The nearest airport is Colombo Bandaranaike International (148km) – click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
Sri Lankan Airlines air taxi service runs to Koggala Lake (2 hours), where you can pick up a local taxi to Wirdana. Alternatively, Wirdana Spa & Villas can arrange airport transfers.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Sri Lanka and getting around