What You Get
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
TV (Satellite/Cable)
The Experience
If you are looking for an exceptionally quiet place to unwind in a natural setting, then Malgedara is the villa for you. The name of the property is derived from the Sinhalese words mal (flower) and gedara (home); two words that sum up this charming colonial property well. The verdant one-acre garden is a delight: an enclosed, child-friendly space filled with a huge array of colourful tropical flowers that naturally fringe the emerald green lawn. The elevated sky-blue pool overlooks the paddy fields and is the perfect place to relax while you watch the exceptional number of exotic birds that visit the garden; their twittering melodies provide a memorable soundtrack to your stay. Leaping monkeys and tiny clucking squirrels are other visitors, whilst the chirruping of crickets and croaking of frogs reaches an orchestrated crescendo by nightfall.
Most of Malgedara is over 130 years old; however the property has been extended to include two more bedrooms in an annex to the rear. As if to emphasise the extensive garden, the deep high-roofed veranda to the front of the house offers plenty of lounging and dining space for further contemplation of the scene and the actors playing in its midst. Ideal for families, serenity seekers and long stayers this is a property that will particularly delight nature lovers and it’s perfect for those looking for something a little off the beaten track in a locale that is authentically Sri Lankan.
The house is fully serviced and comes with four full-time members of staff who discreetly and without fuss look after you during your stay. The cook will prepare simple meals for you from a small menu of local and western dishes (at cost price) in Malgedara’s fully equipped kitchen. Just a short walk down the road takes you past rural homes to Koggala Lake, a beautiful expanse of water where you can go boating or visit spice gardens and cinnamon factories. Some good swimming beaches are only a 15-minute drive away whilst the historic fort of Galle is just 18km down the road.
Our review
- Overall Rating:
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7
- Reviewed:
- 26-Nov-2012
Malgedara is isolated, but this just might be what many are after.
Families, too, will find this to be a great property, as the children will love the large garden, the pool with its generous shallow end and the attractions of the lake. Discounts are available for bookings exceeding a month and this might be attractive to long-stayers.
We thought that the bedrooms in the main house were comfortable though quite narrow; their numerous shuttered windows and doors onto the veranda and garden are very characteristic of the villa’s colonial heritage. Bathrooms offer a hint of modernity in a house where the old and the new have been merged, more successfully in some places than others; while the large 15-foot veranda is practical and more than compensates for the limited living space inside the house, we felt that it does flaw the property’s facade a little.
Although their English is limited, the staff looked after us well during our stay, and meals were agreed with the cook according to a menu priced at cost: expect home cooking rather than flamboyant cuisine. While the villa does have a mini stereo and a satellite TV with DVD player, the selection of DVDs and CDs is very limited so we’d recommend you bring your own with you, along with books and games for the kids.
The villa is now being looked after by an efficient management company who are on call should there be anything that the villa staff are unable to help you with.
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 8 | Location: | 7 | Outside Area: | 8 |
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| Living Area: | 7 | Bedrooms: | 6 | Bathrooms: | 6 |
| Kitchen: | 6 | Facilities: | 7 | Staff: | 7 |
| Value: | 8 |
Highlights
The spacious garden for its tropical foliage, abundant birdlife and serenity; it will be a delight for nature lovers especially. The tranquility of the villa’s secluded location is heightened by the fact that it is right next to Koggala Lake whilst many attractions of the region are only a short drive away.
Surprises
The garden attracts plenty of mosquitoes, especially after it has rained, so repellent is recommended (and coils can be provided). Frogs are sometimes drawn to the bathrooms, which is to be expected in such a natural setting. They are very harmless however, and the houseboy will help transport them back into the garden for you. We felt that the two bedrooms to the rear of the villa were a little gloomy and had limited views.
PROs
- Lush garden alive with wildlife
- Koggala Lake a short walk away
- Characterful country cottage ambiance
- Heaps of peace and privacy
CONs
- Rear bedrooms are a little dark
- Isolated location won’t suit all
- Mosquitoes after the rains
Gallery
Location
Malgedara is located in sleepy, rural Gurukhanda, just inland from the fishing village of Kathaluwa. Reflecting authentic Sri Lankan village life, it is a very serene place to soak up the tranquillity and warmth that this location offers. Koggala Lake, just a five minute walk from Malgedara, is an exceptionally serene body of water characterised by verdant islands, plenty of bird life and fishermen silently plying their trade. A boat trip on the lake is highly recommended especially as you will get the chance to visit bird-filled islands, spice gardens and cinnamon factories. Restaurants, banks and shops are within a few kilometres of Malgedara – as are many of the island’s southern beaches (including Talpe, Koggala and Unawatuna) – although transport will be needed to get there.
Places of Interest(KMs) |
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| Kathaluwa | 1.0 |
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| Ahangama | 3.0 |
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| Koggala | 5.0 |
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| Habaraduwa | 6.0 |
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| Talpe | 9.0 |
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| Unawatuna | 14.0 |
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| Galle | 18.0 |
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| Mirissa | 26.0 |
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| Matara | 31.0 |
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| Hikkaduwa | 36.0 |
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| Tangalle | 69.0 |
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| Colombo | 135.0 |
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| International airport | 185.0 |
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About Habaraduwa-Koggala
With a long stretch of golden beach, peaceful inland lagoon, fascinating folk museum and famous airfield, Habaraduwa-Koggala is a great little destination 12km south-east of Galle. The golden sands of the three-kilometre beach stretch from Habaraduwa, famed for its turtle hatchery, to beyond Koggala, a Free Trade Zone further east, where big hotels stand shoulder-to-shoulder along the sand.
Habaraduwa’s palm-fringed beach is one of the widest and prettiest in the region, yet as you wander further east towards Koggala, the beach narrows and you see stilt fishermen at work. Things to do in Habaraduwa-Koggala include a visit to Koggala Lake, a meandering island-sprinkled lagoon which is a haven for wildlife lovers. Fishermen traverse the quiet depths, leaving ripples in their wake as they hunt for fish, crabs and prawns. Spice islands and mystical temples also scatter the lake, and an early morning or evening punt atop the water in a traditional fishing catamaran is the best way to appreciate this quietly spoken scene.
Madul Doova, one of the islands in the lake, was the subject of a book written by the late Martin Wickramasinghe, a lauded local author. His home in Koggala is now a folk museum that charts the fascinating story of his life and times. Koggala Lake is also the landing strip for domestic air taxis that reduce journey time to the south coast from Colombo's airport to just 40 minutes. Local restaurants can be found in beach hotels, and ATMs line the main road between Habaraduwa and Koggala.
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
Malgedara comprises a charming 130-year-old colonial house with two bedrooms, a living room and kitchen plus an eight-year-old annex to the back with two more bedrooms. The floors are polished concrete throughout and many of the original shuttered window and door frames in the main house have been constructed from teak wood.
At the front of the house is a high-roofed veranda, a recent addition to the property, which offers a shady place to admire the natural beauty of the garden and visiting wildlife. With a cluster of antique planter’s chairs to one side and a dining table for eight on the other, this deep veranda has been designed for relaxed living; we guarantee you’ll spend much of your time here.
Entering through the ornately framed wooden doorway of the house you arrive in a living space with built-in cushioned sofas, a satellite TV, DVD player and stereo system and a cabinet with a small collection of books and movies (there is also WiFi internet available at the house in the form of a USB dongle that’s very easy to use). Bedrooms lead off from both sides of the living area. On the right the master bedroom features a king-size four-poster bed with mosquito net, a cushioned day bed, a wardrobe and luggage rack. The ensuite bathroom has a hot-water shower (as do the other three bathrooms). Opposite the master is the slightly smaller second bedroom (similar in design) which comes with a king-size four-poster bed, rattan chair, wardrobe and ensuite bathroom.
To the rear of the house is a galley-style kitchen whilst the back veranda forms part of the closely built annex with bedrooms on either side. The bedroom to the left has a double four-poster bed, wardrobe and luggage rack; its bathroom is just across the corridor rather than ensuite. The bedroom to the right is a triple room, with a double and a single bed, and spacious ensuite bathroom with stone detail. All bedrooms have a ceiling fan and are air conditioned.
Key Amenities
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Internet (WiFi)
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Swimming Pool (Private)
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TV (Satellite/Cable)
Other Amenities
- Air-con (Bedrooms)
- Baby Cot
- Bed Linen
- Book Selection
- Car Parking
- CD Player/Stereo System
- Ceiling Fans
- Equipped Kitchen
- Food Menu
- Generator
- High Chairs
- Iron/Board
- Laundry Service
- Main Dining (10 persons)
- Oven/Hotplates
- Towels
Villa Staff
- Babysitter (Extra)
- Chef/Cook (All meals)
- Garden/Pool Staff
- Housekeeping (Full time)
- Manager (Restricted hrs)
- Security
- Service Staff
- Shopper
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Charming 4-bedroom colonial villa with pool near Koggala Lake and not far from the beach; highlighted by a spacious tropical garden abundant in plants, trees and wildlife. A nature lover’s paradise and a great family home, Malgedara is serenity in an authentic village setting, ideally located to explore the Galle region.
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http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/malgedara.aspx
