Talaramba Reef, South Coast

rooms

The two villas have been built with relaxed beach house vibe to ensure a laid back, relaxed holiday feel. However, they are stunningly decorated with airy vaulted ceilings and slatted doors that lead out on the private wooden decks to the pools beyond. The bedrooms are home to king sized four poster beds and are air conditioned, should the cooling sea breeze from the bedroom verandas not do the trick

The bigger of the two, Sulanga (Wind) Villa, has four king bedrooms spread across the two floors and long verandas that run the length of the house, along with a spacious, airy lounge and a garden view bar. The kitchen is fully equipped and the dining table on the veranda will seat 10.

Vatura (Water) Villa is similar in layout and equally stunning with four king bedrooms, a compact kitchen pantry, cosy living room and squashy sofas along with a kid friendly lounge filled with books and games.

facilities & activities

The unique villas provide the perfect setting to do as much or as little as you like. The verdant tropical gardens provide a lovely backdrop with many coconut palms, cashews, fragrant mangos and brightly coloured frangipani. Swim a few leisurely laps of the pool before a snooze on a sunbed and enjoy an aperitif on the veranda as the sun sinks into the sea.

For the more energetic there is petanque and croquet or hop on a bike and do some local exploring. Stroll out to the beach hidden just beyond the gardens and watch the traditional fishermen perched on the stilts out at sea. While you can’t swim here, there is a protected lagoon nearby and the destination sands of Mirissa are just a 20-30 minute walk over the headland, or a short tuk tuk ride away. This incredible sandy crescent offers good surfing (at its best between November and April), an island bar (great for whale watching) and a number of beach side, vibey restaurants. Pick your view and settle in.

dining

Delectable, fresh and seasonal dishes are created by the friendly staff and served up on the beautiful veranda overlooking the gardens and pools. All food is charged at cost (plus a small service fee of around £10) and the staff go to the local markets each day to pick up the ingredients for whatever takes your fancy. Have a chat with the cook after breakfast and then leave them to work their magic for the rest of the day.

Leisurely days begin with fresh juices and a cooked western or continental style breakfast or a traditional Sri Lankan feast made up of mouth-watering curries and coconut roti. Lunch offers light options such as soup and sandwiches and dinners are a mix of western and Sri Lankan fare, with an emphasis on the fresh local seafood. Expect lots of baked, grilled, curried and even barbequed fish dishes.

(Please do note that alcohol is not sold at the villa so it’s best to stock up before you arrive. The staff are able to buy mixers and soft drinks for you though)

family

Talaramba is a great choice for a family stay. Both Vatura Villa and Sulanga Villa are self-contained and provide plenty of space with four king sized, en-suite double rooms in each. Extra beds can also be placed in the rooms for children under 12.

Although they share a garden, each villa provides a private haven for a family with separate fully equipped kitchens, cosy living rooms, lovely furnished terraces and enticing pools. If booked together, then the villas provide the perfect backdrop for a large gathering of family and friends looking to celebrate or relax in style.

The kids will love exploring the gardens and chasing the monitor lizards before spending the rest of the day in the pool. Villa Vatura has a pool with a shallow end for the smaller ones, while Sulanga’s pool is deeper for a proper dip. Whilst the lovely beach just at the end of the gardens is not suitable for swimming, there is a calm stretch of sea just 200m along the coast and the delights of Mirissa Beach offer plenty of entertainment for children. For down-time, Vatura Villa has its own reading room with a selection of books and games (and a television when needs must - but we didn’t tell you that)

location

The villas are found on the vibrant, sun drenched, south coast of Sri Lanka, which retains the charmingly rural and sleepy air that has been a draw for visitors for centuries. The nearest town is Weligama, with its lovely horseshoe shaped bay and ideal conditions for surfing, and bustling Galle is within easy striking distance.

The villas lie within a 2 – 3 hour drive from Colombo Airport. Alternatively, enjoy the views from the air with the unique Sri Lankan Air Taxi sea plane service which hops down the coast from the river in Colombo and arrives in Koggala Lake - from where the staff will arrange pick up and transfer to the hotel. Or take a step back to colonial times and enjoy the coast train with its spectacular vistas.