Pooja Kanda, Koggala Sri Lanka, The South Coast

Set within a tropical jungle garden, Pooja Kanda is a luxurious Dutch colonial-style villa designed for pure secluded relaxation. Five minutes inland from Koggala and the southern coast, this villa is the perfect getaway for families and large groups looking for a quiet base close to Galle.

With high ceilings, a wide wrap-around veranda, wooden pillars and tall arched doorways, this villa encapsulates the style of the old Dutch colonial buildings. Bright white walls and floors are accentuated by dark antique wood furniture, creating a light, airy and elegant feeling throughout the villa. The villa has five double bedrooms spread across two pavilions and two floors, as well as a large open-planned living and dining area, and a modern marble topped kitchen. The upper floor opens out onto a balcony, whilst the lower floor leads onto the veranda; both perfect places for guests to relax in the shade.

A swimming pool can be found in the exotic garden, with an outdoor lounge area and sunbeds from which to soak up the tropical sun. The rest of the two acre garden has a beautiful waterfall feature, secluded rocky outcrop with a built in stone seat, and plenty of resident monkeys to entertain guests throughout their stay. Surprisingly this jungle environment is set only five minutes from the southern coast, so exploring the golden sands and turquoise beaches is a great alternative to relaxing in the villa.

Dinner is arranged by the villa’s chef, who can cook a variety of Western and Sri Lankan dishes depending on the guests’ tastes. A hexagonal table beside the pool offers a great place to eat al fresco.  Babysitters and in-house massages are available upon request, as are drivers who can take you to explore the neighbouring towns of Kogalla, Mirissa and Unawatuna Bay.