Ambalama
What You Get
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
Washing Machine
The Experience
With its dramatic sea views, pretty beach frontage and relaxing ambiance, Ambalama blends barefoot luxury with all of the comforts of home. Aged antique doorways and pillars from Bali highlight a design that reflects the Asian aesthetic of living in the tropics; courtyard ponds and alfresco shower areas seamlessly merge the indoors with the out whilst high timber roofs, cool cement floors and louvered windows and doors invite the air to breezily circulate and cool. Numerous French windows in the living room and bedrooms open onto a broad terrace that hugs the Balinese tiled swimming pool from where endless panoramas of the ocean and the ships topping its misty horizon can be admired in privacy. The grassy garden is a delight for both children and adults alike as explorative little ones can be watched from the convenience of a cushioned sunbed beside the pool.
Groups will love the conviviality of this villa and equality of its four bedrooms; it makes a very convenient base for exploring the area and the closest beaches are also the best in the region for swimming. A good selection of restaurants are on the doorstep for those wishing to eat out, though the temptation is to stay ‘home’, relax and unwind in peace and comfort, and savour the culinary delights of the chef's freshly cooked fusion cuisine (provisions on guest account). The menu is excellent and the villa’s experienced chef one of the best of any villa around. Ambalama is fully serviced, and with such an able team of staff to keep the house clean and tidy and to shop on your behalf, menial chores can be forgotten. A non-resident manager drops in to assist with requests relating to travel and tours, and to make restaurant bookings and spa treatments on guests’ behalf.
Our review
- Overall Rating:
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8
- Reviewed:
- 02-Apr-2013
The chef’s five-star hotel training is reflected in his delicious fusion cuisine.
The staff at Ambalama are proficient and present service with a smile; offering to unpack our suitcase on arrival and serving us chilled G&Ts on the pool terrace overlooking the sea at sunset. A pair of non-resident managers drop by to welcome guests and make sure they have everything they require, and are on call if advice is needed about where to eat out, or to help with any travel arrangements (Roshan doubles up as an in-house manager and can also assist with most guest queries).
Whilst there isn’t a TV or DVD player at the villa, these can be organised with prior arrangement – although it’s probably best to bring your own DVDs with you, as well as childrens’ games if needs be. Whilst the narrow beach outside Ambalama isn’t great for swimming, you only have to walk five minutes to the nearest swimming beach. That said, there are few villas on the Galle coast better located than Ambalama; beaches, restaurants, shops and attractions are all within a short walk or drive.
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 9 | Location: | 9 | Outside Area: | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Area: | 8 | Bedrooms: | 7 | Bathrooms: | 7 |
| Kitchen: | 8 | Facilities: | 7 | Staff: | 9 |
| Value: | 8 |
Highlights
As one of the closest beach villas to Galle, this fantastic property is not only relaxing, comfortable and private, it’s also conveniently located for beaches, restaurants, bars and shops; some within walking distance. With an experienced chef and a delightful menu of fusion cuisine, Ambalama will appeal to those who appreciate excellent food without hotel prices.
Surprises
Since the villa is located beside the main road, you will hear traffic noise. The constant sea breezes, whilst welcome and cooling, have weathered the property a little in places. Also take care when the floors are wet as they can get slippery.
PROs
- Delicious gourmet cuisine
- Equitable ocean view bedrooms
- Ample breadth of beachfront
- Five minutes to restaurants and bars
- Exotic open air showers
CONs
- Occasional main road traffic noise
- Walk 300m for sea swims
Guest reviews (1)
- SB, United Kingdom checked out on 24-Feb-2011
- Overall Rating:
-
10
- Reviewed:
- 16-Mar-2011
Roshan's cooking was superb, especially the Sri Lankan curry! We also joined him on his trip to the markets one day which was really interesting. Hema and Chundra looked after us very well, Chundra's smile is so warm and welcoming and Hema's good English and knowledge of the area made it very easy for us to plan trips to Jungle Beach, the silk factory, Unawatuna and Galle Fort.
If you like playing games on the lawn, the very sweet and polite young boys who live next door love to join in the fun and are very good at cricket!
Make sure you ask the night watchman to wake you up if you are interested in seeing turtles. We were very lucky to see an enormous leather back turtle (approximately 100 years old!) lay her eggs right outside the villa wall!
We all felt very spoilt, relaxed and well looked after!
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 10 | Location: | 10 | Outside Area: | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Area: | 10 | Bedrooms: | 10 | Bathrooms: | 10 |
| Kitchen: | 10 | Facilities: | 10 | Staff: | 10 |
| Value: | 10 |
Gallery
Location
Located just a fifteen minute drive south from Galle in the picturesque fishing village of Dalawella, Ambalama directly overlooks the deep blue of the Indian Ocean. Fishermen can often be seen casting their lines just offshore whilst you can watch the many ships on the misty horizon from the comfort of a sunbed beside the pool. The nearest swimming beach, Dalawella, is just a five-minute walk from the villa where a wall of coral and rock offshore creates a tranquil turquoise lagoon that’s wonderful for swimming. This has made it a popular spot for families with young children. A good beach restaurant is also located here; think wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, sunset cocktails and a relaxed tropical ambiance. Whilst there are a few shops within walking distance for purchasing basic grocery items, you’ll find supermarkets, money changing facilities and banks in historic Galle, which is just 7km away and easily accessible by three-wheeler or car.
Places of Interest(KMs) |
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| Talpe | 1.0 |
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| Unawatuna | 2.0 |
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| Galle | 7.0 |
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| Koggala | 7.0 |
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| Ahangama | 11.0 |
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| Hikkaduwa | 26.0 |
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| Mirissa | 28.0 |
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| Matara | 37.0 |
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| Tangalle | 74.0 |
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| Colombo | 124.0 |
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| International airport | 158.0 |
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| Yala | 171.0 |
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About Talpe
Stretching a distance of less than ten kilometres between Unawatuna and Koggala, Talpe’s swathe of golden sand is fringed by the island’s most concentrated collection of upmarket beach villas that stand almost shoulder to shoulder facing the sea. With an idyllic position overlooking the Indian Ocean and close to the many facilities of Galle, Talpe is a small seaside village with little more than a handful of local provisions shops and local eateries to offer in terms of commerce, although tuk-tuks are aplenty and the friendly local people are well used to the sight of visitors enjoying its long stretch of sandy beach. Swimming in the sea is possible in some areas along the coastline here and is best at Dalawella whose tiny bay is protected by an offshore wall of rock that creates the inviting vision of a turquoise lagoon. Talpe’s rustic, laid-back charm invites people looking for a quiet out of the way sun spot whilst the sweeping bay of Unawatuna and all her facilities are never far away.
About South Coast
Stretching between Galle and Hambantota, the south coast is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka. Characterised by historically significant fortified towns, numerous picture-perfect palm-fringed beaches, a sultry turquoise sea, swathes of iridescent green paddy fields fringed by lush green jungle, ancient Buddhist temples, expansive waterways, nature-filled rainforests and tea-carpeted hills it offers enough variety to be a destination in itself; fabulous for families, groups and couples alike.
Galle is one of the region’s most significant attractions for its sixteenth century Dutch fort filled with an evocatively rich collection of buildings, boutiques, museums and luxury digs that hug a peninsular to the south of town. Galle’s popular beaches are better-facilitated, more developed and safer for swimming than those in and around Tangalle, but the further you travel east the more expansive, deserted and nature-filled they become.
Surfing, snorkelling, diving, whale watching, sailing, fishing and kayaking can all be done along this magnificent stretch of coastline as well as cycling, walking and trying your hand at Sri Lankan cookery. Inland, the scene varies as the westerly wet zone’s lush jungle interior gives way to the arid dry zone plains a little beyond Tangalle. Taking off by bicycle is often the best way to explore the hills, plains, sanctuaries and jungle whilst a boat is a must to navigate the scenic lakes and rivers that wind in between.
Some of Sri Lanka’s most popular national parks – Uda Walawe for elephants and Yala for leopards and bears – as well as a trio of its most accessible rainforests – Sinharaja, Kottawa and Kanneliya - are easily visited on a day or overnight trip from anywhere along the south coast.
Rooms
Stepping stones lead across the threshold of the villa into an open-plan living and dining area with soaring timber ceilings, cool terrazzo floors and louvered doors that fling widely open onto the broad terrace of the swimming pool and the sea views.
To the left of the entrance is a cosy lounge with cushioned sofa seating, whilst to the right is a circular dining table for eight. The room is also furnished with a pair of matching antique cabinets that brim with enough books to engross you during your stay. To either side of this living space are a pair of near-identical ensuite bedrooms which open directly onto the sea-view terrace, pool and garden.
Each bedroom is accessed via stunning antique Balinese carved temple doors, whilst a trio of louvered double doors provide direct access to the front terrace and garden. Opening the doors allows in a very adequate breeze, although all bedrooms are fitted with both air conditioning and ceiling fans. Four-poster beds are dressed with high-thread-count cotton bed linen and mosquito nets, and rooms feature built-in wardrobes, rattan chairs and ensuite bathrooms with hot water showers.
The bedrooms to the far right and far left of the villa – both doubles – are slightly larger and offer a further taste of tropical living since their bathrooms feature a gorgeous outdoor shower within a walled garden. They also have a cushioned window seat that doubles up as an extra bed, plus access to a side terrace.
Towards the back of the villa is a well-equipped kitchen which has been furnished with imported stainless steel worktops suitable for the western cook.
Key Amenities
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Internet (WiFi)
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Swimming Pool (Private)
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Washing Machine
Other Amenities
- Air-con (Bedrooms)
- Baby Cot (On Request)
- BBQ
- Bed Linen
- Book Selection
- Car Parking
- CD Player/Stereo System
- Ceiling Fans
- Coffee Machine
- Equipped Kitchen
- Food Menu
- Hairdryers
- High Chairs
- iPod Dock/Speakers
- Iron/Board
- Laundry Service
- Main Dining (10 persons)
- Microwave
- Oven/Hotplates
- Safe
- Towels
Villa Staff
- Babysitter (Extra)
- Chef/Cook (All meals)
- Garden/Pool Staff
- Housekeeping (Full time)
- Manager (Restricted hrs)
- Masseuse/Spa Therapist (Extra)
- Security
- Service Staff
- Shopper
Fabulous Balinese-inspired beach villa in an excellent location on the Galle coast close to shops, bars, attractions and restaurants. With 4 bedrooms, Ambalama is ideal for families, groups and couples alike. This fully-serviced tropical villa comes with an infinity swimming pool, large grassy garden, cosy lounging areas and superb chef.
http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/ambalama.aspx
