Villa Pooja Kanda

Pooja Kanda in Sinhalese means ‘hill of worship’ and this five-bedroom villa is indeed an idyllic temple of tranquility. Designed in Dutch-colonial style, the villa is majestic and spacious, wrapped with verandas and balconies upstairs and down. Calming interiors spill seamlessly onto the garden and ease you gently into a state of relaxation and renewal.

Set in two acres of private gardens bursting with crimson heliconia and blushing bougainvillea, the villa is incredibly serene. Languish on rattan daybeds on the veranda or pluck a book from the library, lie back on the cushioned loungers beside the swimming pool and let your worries melt away. Children will be kept happy with endless rounds of hide and seek in the garden, a game of cricket on the front lawn perhaps, or a competition to count the monkeys swinging through the branches above. The villa is well equipped for families and the cosy TV room is perfect for those rare rainy days. Our staff team will ensure you feel very much at home and want for nothing. At the end of the day, sip freshly concocted sundowners until the evening sky turns a deep indigo blue and then enjoy some of our chef’s home cooking – sure to be a highlight of your stay.

Villa Pooja Kanda’s location is blissfully secluded, yet the region’s picturesque beaches are less than ten minutes’ drive away. The UNESCO-certified Dutch fort of Galle – a living museum – serene Koggala Lake, lowland tea and cinnamon plantations, turtle hatcheries, spice gardens and a medley of great restaurants and shops are also close by.

VILLA LAYOUT

Spread across two floors of a charming Dutch-colonial style building, Villa Pooja Kanda has five bedrooms – two of which are at ground level – and offers generous living and dining space, including an air-conditioned TV room, a library and an equipped kitchen. Each bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom and shares views of the garden through graceful arched doors. The ground-floor living areas spill effortlessly onto a deep fan-cooled veranda that breezily wraps around the front of the house and is furnished with rattan loungers.

INDOOR LIVING

The sitting room generously spills onto the front veranda through elegantly arched doors. Tabletops and cabinets are topped with magazines and books and the long cushion-scattered sofa, facing the front lawn, provides a comfortable place to read them under the gently whirring ceiling fans. Tranquility envelopes you here; wander onto the deep veranda, recline on rattan plantation chairs and watch the birds, squirrels and monkeys in the garden.

The dining room is furnished with a handsome hardwood 10-seater table whilst a second table on the veranda presents an informal alternative for alfresco meals. A cosy TV room, with an L-shaped built-in sofa, is located just off the dining area. Lay back and watch a movie, catch up on world news or simply immerse yourself in the pages of a favourite novel as the air conditioning keeps you cool. Beneath the stairs is a small library stacked with well-thumbed books that you’re welcome to browse.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Out on the veranda, cushioned plantation chairs are placed perfectly for looking out over the lush lawn, which is edged by bushy palms and tropical plants. Monitor lizards can often be seen stealthily pacing across the grass. The veranda wraps around to the back of the villa where there’s an alfresco dining table for six and a swimming pool, seemingly carved out of the rock, offering views down the hillside between the coconut palms. On the first floor, a wraparound balcony provides a birds-eye view of the monkeys in the trees.

BEDROOMS

Villa Pooja Kanda’s five bedrooms are all air conditioned and furnished with romantic four-poster beds (king-size in all but one room) dressed in the crispest cotton sheets and canopied by soft mosquito nets. The spacious ground-floor master bedroom and connecting queen-bedded guestroom open onto the rear veranda and are suitable for families. Both benefit from contemporary bathrooms finished in smooth terrazzo and fitted with rain showers (the master ensuite also has a freestanding bathtub).

On the first floor, accessed via a winding staircase, are three further guestrooms encircled by a balcony walkway. Light and airy, these bedrooms also come with contemporary ensuite bathrooms with hot water showers. The largest of them sits at the top of the stairs and includes an anteroom that can be furnished with a cot or a single bed (up to two extra beds are available for children for no additional charge).

STAFF

Their personable staff team are dedicated to providing you with the best care possible from the minute you arrive so that you feel immediately at home. Recruited from the local area of Galle they tend to you in the traditional Sri Lankan way and take the time to satisfy your needs and expectations 24 hours of the day.

- One villa supervisor
The villa supervisor (who lives offsite) is in charge of overall villa operations and staffing, and is on call to fulfill your individual expectations and preferences.

- One qualified chef
Their chef is in charge of satisfying your taste buds with her range of Sri Lankan and western cuisine.

- Two house staff
Their friendly house staff, are responsible housekeeping and complementary laundry services.

DINING

- The menu
During your stay at Pooja Kanda, savour the delights of Sri Lankan and Western cuisine freshly cooked by our villa staff. On the menu for breakfast is always a profusion of fresh tropical fruit whilst the villa’s setting just minutes from the island’s bountiful coastline means that seafood and fish are available in abundance. Light bites for lunch include soups, salads and sandwiches whilst for dinner we’ll indulge you with a sensational Sri Lankan rice and curry spread that’s guaranteed to be a talking point long after your departure.

- The system
On your arrival at the villa, a short discussion with our cook will give you an idea of the range of dishes on offer, and we recommend you liaise with him after breakfast every day regarding your meal arrangements to allow the staff time to provision and prepare. Please also let the staff know of your likes and dislikes, special dietary requirements and allergies. You are welcome to self-cater if you would prefer; our staff will assist you in the kitchen or leave you to your own devices, whichever suits you best.

- Food and beverage charges
Breakfast is included in the villa rate whilst for all other meals the villa operates a kitty system. We ask that you provide a float for the staff who will then purchase all of the provisions – including soft drinks, beer and local spirits – at cost price with a small charge for transport. Receipts will be provided either daily or at the end of your stay according to your wishes. A small selection of wine and international liquor can be bought locally, however if you have any favourites we recommend that you purchase them from the arrivals duty free at the airport to bring them with you.

EVENTS

Pooja Kanda’s privacy, delightfully relaxed ambiance and generous outdoor space make it a wonderful place for hosting informal drinks gatherings and dinner parties of up to 25 people. Please check with us for all costs and conditions.

SPA

If you’re in need of some pampering, and don’t wish to leave the privacy and serenity of the house, our staff will arrange for a trained masseur to come to the property at a prearranged time at your request.