Dikwella Villa 13019

The house occupies one of the finest locations on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Set in nearly three acres of tropical walled gardens, this fully staffed villa provides stunning panoramic ocean views, sea breezes, 100 metres of dramatic rocky seafront, simple luxury and complete privacy.

The villa lies about 15 kms from the southern tip of the island and about 45 minutes from Galle. It has four double bedrooms, with extra beds available for children.

The entrance lies up a quiet lane, 30 metres above sea level, the highest point on this small headland and sandwiched between two of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beaches, each just a few minutes’ walk away. Hiriketiya (Horseshoe) Bay, a 250 metres stroll, is idylic, with safe swimming and a year-round surf break.

There are large open and covered verandas for dining and relaxing. The swimming pool adjoins the veranda and main courtyard and all have stunning views to sea. There are four en-suite double bedrooms, three of which are set around the courtyard, with the fourth bedroom closer to the sea.

The gardens include bougainvillea, heliconia, Japanese araliya, hibiscus, mango, wood-apple and much more, including a vegetable garden. Below the main lawn, a coconut grove slopes down to the dramatic rocky shoreline; all to explore. Watch the sun set over Dondra lighthouse on the southern tip of the island and later, the fishing lights out to sea at night.

Directly ahead, across 5,000 miles of uninterrupted water, lies the coast of Antarctica. We have seen blue whales passing close to the bottom of the garden; few places on earth offer such an opportunity. There are also monkeys, tortoises, many types of birds, including sea eagles and most evenings the local peacocks arrive to roost in the coconut trees.

About The House

The house mixes traditional and contemporary design, reflected in hand-built furniture, hand-finished floors and simple tropical architecture, all from local materials.

The house is set around a central paved courtyard, about 20 metres above sea level. The courtyard is flanked on two sides by a large covered veranda with an adjoining kitchen, an open veranda for sunbathing and a 6 x 10 metre swimming pool. The pool's infinity edge faces directly south through the coconut trees and over the surf to the horizon.

The main covered veranda is the centre of the house with a dining area by the Koi fish pond and large sofas for relaxing at the south end, overlooking the terrace, the pool and the ocean beyond.

The bedrooms are cool and airy, with polished concrete floors and contemporary furniture, hand-built from local teak and mango. Thick 12" mattresses and fine linen lie on striking, under-lit polished concrete beds topped with huge mosquito nets. Each room has a selection of thick white towels, coloured beach towels and lots of flowers.

The house has broadband Wi-Fi and receives a 3G signal. All bedrooms have mosquito nets, fans and air conditioning. There is a good quality amplifier and wall speakers on the veranda for ipods etc. with bluetooth connectivity.

The Master Bedrooms

The two largest Master bedrooms are set on the north side of the courtyard, each with large adjoining bathrooms partially open to the sky. Both of these rooms face the courtyard and they also look onto separate small gardens of their own.

The Courtyard Bedroom

This smaller bedroom lies on the west side of the courtyard and has wonderful elevated views across its own small private garden and lawn to the sea. Behind the bedroom is a simple, stylish bathroom.

The Sea Bedroom

This bedroom lies much closer to the sea and provides more privacy. A similar size to the Courtyard bedroom, it is also bright and airy, with the whole of the south end of the room opening onto its own private terrace, just 30 metres from the sea and the sound of the surf.

Staff & Food

We grow much what you will eat when staying with us. From fresh herbs, rocket, spinach and tomatoes to mangos, jams, chillies and chutneys. We are careful to select the best produce from the market if we don't grow it ourselves and always buy our fish and seafood locally. Our whole focus is on the freshest ingredients, preferably grown by us.

The villa has eight full-time staff. Christobel (Chris) & Jeremy Claessen manage the villa; they are very experienced, a mine of information and look after a wonderful team.

Chris has a wide repertoire in the kitchen, from traditional Sri Lankan cuisine to other Asian and western dishes. You can discuss with her your menu requirements. She will also prepare picnic breakfasts and/or lunches if you plan a day trip.

The staff will shop for food daily; you can pay for food supplies on a daily basis or we can present you with an invoice at the end of your stay; it’s up to you.

Eating Out

Although this coastline is comparatively undeveloped, there are a handful of excellent restaurants between Dikwella and Tangalle, including the Amanwella, a part of the Aman Resort, which is also wonderful for sunset drinks.

Location

The house lies on the edge of the town of Dikwella, 25 minutes from the end of the new Southern Highway. The stunning Dondra to Tangalle coastline is now within easy reach, with Galle only 45 minutes away.

With Yala National Park (to the east) close enough for a day’s tour and Galle now easily accessible to the west, this is the perfect location from which to experience all Sri Lanka’s "deep south" has to offer; from elephants and leopards at Yala to leatherback turtles at Rekawa and blue whales at Mirissa.

Once around the southern tip of the island from the Galle coast, the main road is mostly set well back from a complex coastline, with small sandy bays, jagged rocky seafront and quiet, bird-filled lagoons. The road from Matara is quite new and a pretty drive through numerous tidy villages. The coastline is blessed with many kilometres of stunning, empty beaches and not far inland, serene paddy fields, cinnamon estates and wooded hills bursting with wildlife.

The villa is in a quiet neighbourhood, well away from the main road. The elevation and size of the gardens provide micro-climates for flowering plants to thrive, with the main flower and vegetable gardens set back more than 100 metres from the sea.