Footprints Villa
What You Get
Air-con
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
The Experience
Exhibiting a sense of modernity that’s at odds with many of its more colonially styled neighbours, Footprints stands tall above a sea-sloshed stretch of sandy beach, and is just a 100m stroll from a stunning ocean lagoon. The villa’s bedrooms, living and dining areas present an eclectic, highly personal interior design style; surfaces are painted white, turquoise, purple or green, oversized paintings look down from the walls and Moroccan lanterns embossed with glass mosaic tiles cascade from ceilings. Carvings, statues and quirky artefacts from Sri Lanka, Bali and Morocco are prominent, and together give the villa an Asian-Moorish theme.
The villa feels very spacious. The ground floor is entirely open plan and designed exclusively for lounging and dining, whilst the four bedrooms (three doubles and one twin) are all tucked away on the first floor off another very spacious living room. All these areas are air-conditioned. Ceiling fans are also installed throughout the villa so you can choose between fresh air – the ground floor has tall windows and doors that can be flung open directly onto the pool terrace – or an icebox of air-conditioned cool to escape the hottest and most humid of days. There are two dining areas, one of which is in a corner veranda beside the pool.
Footprints’ location is excellent as it’s just a one-minute stroll from Dalawella’s famed swimming beach. The ocean views from the villa are striking, and you can soak up the sunshine whilst gazing at the turquoise sea from the sunbeds scattering the front lawn or, even better, from the villa’s sun-baked roof terrace! Given this location, it’s no surprise that fish and seafood both feature heavily on the menu. The cook is one of two full-time staff, and a pair of managers who live nearby will drop by on occasion to check that all is well. They are a mine of information on the local area, and can assist in making bookings for transfers and transport, local activities and restaurants.
Our review
- Overall Rating:
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7.3
- Reviewed:
- 29-Jun-2012
A contemporary two-floor beach pad close to an excellent offshore lagoon.
There’s a small staff team of a cook/maid and a security/maintenance man who also doubles up as a waiter and gardener. The cook is shy to speak English and service is fairly laid back, yet both are friendly and when large groups stay at the villa another staff member is drafted in to help. There’s a small menu, which continues to grow as the cook learns more dishes; our evening meal of chicken korma was delicious. Two managers (a couple) drop by every now and then to ensure the smooth running of the villa and assist with any enquiries, which really helps; WiFi wasn’t working when we arrived, however they quickly arranged for the appropriate people to come and fix the problem.
We felt that Footprints would particularly suit groups of friends looking to chill out and spend time together within treading distance of restaurants and bars (there’s a very popular one just 100m down the beach). Anyone who lusts after air conditioning would also be happy here – there are few fully air-conditioned villas along this stretch of coastline. It’s a good family house too (although some may grow tired of wandering up and down stairs to reach the bedrooms). Note that one of the bedrooms is fitted with waterbed. Although it looked (and felt) comfortable, we opted for a more traditional mattress!
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 7 | Location: | 9 | Outside Area: | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Area: | 8 | Bedrooms: | 7 | Bathrooms: | 7 |
| Kitchen: | 8 | Facilities: | 7 | Staff: | 7 |
| Value: | 7 |
Highlights
The villa’s location close to a fabulous swimming beach is a real plus, and there is a selection of restaurants within walking distance too. Space in the villa is generous and each of the bedrooms feels fresh and contemporary. The management team respond very quickly (they can be contacted anytime) and are always happy to assist guests with their enquiries.
Surprises
The villa is set beside the Galle Road, so you can hear the occasional bus passing, although the sea does do a good job of drowning out the noise. It’s also wedged between two high walls, which felt a little claustrophobic. The urban design and bright, eclectic interiors may not be to everyone’s tastes. Tall guests may need to stoop when going up the stairs, as the ceiling is a little low in places. Mobile phone reception is very patchy in the villa and although WiFi works well on the ground floor it barely functions upstairs. There’s only a gap of a couple of feet between the ground floor lounge and swimming pool, so you’ll need to keep a careful eye on toddlers when the doors are open.
PROs
- Fully air conditioned
- Top location near swimming beach
- Spacious two-floor spread
- Helpful managers on call
CONs
- Some road noise
- Phone reception patchy
- Minimal outside areas
Guest reviews (1)
- TK, Norway checked out on 20-Aug-2012
- Overall Rating:
-
9.2
- Reviewed:
- 25-Sep-2012
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 9 | Location: | 9 | Outside Area: | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Area: | 10 | Bedrooms: | 10 | Bathrooms: | 10 |
| Kitchen: | 8 | Facilities: | 10 | Staff: | 8 |
| Value: | 8 |
Gallery
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Location
Located just a fifteen-minute drive southeast of Galle, in the picturesque fishing village of Mihiripena, Footprints overlooks the deep blue of the Indian Ocean. Fishermen can often be seen casting their lines from the rocks 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 west along the sand. Here, a wall of coral and rock offshore has created a tranquil turquoise lagoon that’s a favourite swimming spot for families. There’s a good beach restaurant is here too; think wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, sunset cocktails and a relaxed tropical ambiance. Whilst there are a few basic grocery shops within walking distance of Footprints, you’ll find supermarkets, money changing facilities, post offices and banks in historic Galle, which is easily accessible by three-wheeler or car.
Places of Interest(KMs) |
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| Wijaya Beach | 0.2 |
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| Unawatuna Bay | 3.0 |
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| Koggala Lake | 6.0 |
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| Galle Fort | 8.0 |
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| Bentota | 62.0 |
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| Tangalle | 76.0 |
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| Colombo | 124.0 |
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| Bandaranaike Intl Airport | 154.0 |
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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
Footprints is entered directly into an open-plan living room featuring a trio of deeply cushioned daybeds positioned to look over the swimming pool and out to sea. Floor-to-ceiling doors and windows maximise views and enable quick access between indoor and outdoor areas. Leading off to the back of this room beside the main staircase is a guest washroom and a cosy TV lounge with 42-inch screen, DVD player and white leather chaise longue flanked by a pair of cushy baby blue bean bags. The entire ground floor is air-conditioned.
To one side of the living room is a formal dining area with a table for eight below a decadent Moroccan chandelier hand-embossed with blue mosaic tiles. To the front, doors lead onto an informal dining area featuring bench seating in a cube-like open-sided veranda beside the garden and pool. To the rear of the living room and featuring a four-sided marble-top breakfast bar is a well-equipped western-style kitchen finished in black. In here are a pair of fridges, a six-burner hob and oven, a dishwasher and lots of timber-topped workspace. A door to the back leads to a service area and rear staircase.
The air-conditioned first-floor living room features a large L-shaped leather sofa, clusters of coloured camel skin poufs and more Moroccan chandeliers. Leading off from here are the villa’s four bedrooms, all of which are equipped with ceiling fans and air conditioning, fitted wardrobes and ensuite bathrooms finished in granite with rain showers and sinks. Two of the bedrooms are sea-facing: one has a king-sized waterbed, a balcony furnished with a table and chairs and a circular terrazzo tub-for-two. The other is furnished with a queen-sized bed and presents sea views through multiple sets of windows. To the back of the house the third bedroom features a king-sized bed and purple décor, whilst green-tinged bedroom four is furnished with a pair of single beds.
Above the bedrooms is another floor, as yet unfinished and unfurnished, however doors beyond the final flight of stairs lead onto a huge rooftop deck with panoramic views of the sea.
Key Amenities
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Air-con
-
Internet (WiFi)
-
Swimming Pool (Private)
Other Amenities
- Baby Cot (Extra)
- BBQ
- Bed Linen
- Ceiling Fans
- Dish Washer
- DVD Library
- DVD Player
- Equipped Kitchen
- Generator
- High Chairs (Extra)
- Laundry Service (Extra)
- Microwave
- Oven/Hotplates
- Toiletries
- Towels
- TV (Local channels)
Villa Staff
- Babysitter (Extra)
- Chef/Cook (All meals)
- Garden/Pool Staff
- Housekeeping (Full time)
- Manager (Restricted hrs)
- Masseuse/Spa Therapist (Extra)
- Service Staff
- Shopper
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Dalawella’s famous swimming beach is just a 100m stroll from this contemporary 4-bedroom seaside villa, eight kilometres from Galle. Ample living space spreads across two floors and the villa also features a TV room, two dining areas and a six-metre swimming pool. Footprints is staffed and completely air-conditioned.
http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/footprints-villa.aspx
