Villa Auraliya, Thalpe Sri Lanka, The South Coast

Villa Auraliya is designed around a courtyard and three large pavilions. Entering through a beautiful sealed courtyard with water garden and a majestic Ganesh statue, you skirt your way around to the main body of the villa and the central pool. The overall effect is spectacular.

Sleeping up to twelve people, this is one of the largest luxury villa on the southern coast close to Galle. There are two master suites with enormous beds - 8ft x 8ft. Thereafter there are two double rooms and two twin rooms. All rooms have four poster beds and air conditioning although you may prefer to sleep without it. Bathrooms are all en-suite and spacious.

The villa is fully staffed and comes with a chef who will prepare meals to your taste and choice, as and when you want them. Wines are also well stocked here. Nothing is too much trouble for the attentive staff. Food and drink is brought at cost price which makes for tremendous value for a large group. Instead of paying massive premiums for hotel extras and alcoholic drinks, the staff will stock up for you from the Galle and the nearby fresh food vendors.

An air conditioned living room supplements the extensive outdoor sitting areas and is equipped with television and music facilities. All of the pavilions have music systems routed to them should you wish to listen to your dream collection. One individual pavilion is located at the beachfront over-looking the golden sandy beach below. This is fitted with a tall wooden table and matching chairs a gorgeous spot for evening drinks.

Frangipani trees drop their flowers around the well kept lawns and walkways which divide the spaces of Auraliya. The sun twinkles on the turquoise waters of the unusually shaped pool which calls you in from whichever angle you look. The antique roof tiles glow seductively in the warm evening and morning light. Auraliya is a superb and luxurious beach villa and for a larger group represents good value for the quality on offer. Excellent for larger groups wanting something special and secluded.

The beach here is particularly good and provides deep, sheltered swimming all year round.