What You Get
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
TV (Satellite/Cable)
Washing Machine
The Experience
Wake up to the mesmerising sound of waves breaking over coral reefs every morning at this pretty coastal villa. Situated on a protruding headland pointing south towards Antarctica, this three-bedroom villa proudly celebrates its tropical beachside locale. Mixed palms spiking the garden are exotic and protect the privacy of guests by forming a natural wall and windbreak without detracting from the views. There’s also a privately enclosed pool in the lush garden, which is perfect for moonlit dips. The sandy beach is just a few steps down from the front lawn and swimming is best to the immediate east or west of the headland. Since the waves break over the offshore coral reef, the sea is generally calm, and suitable for paddling, swimming and snorkelling.
Thought has gone into providing guests with plenty of spots to either appreciate the ocean views in company, or privately enjoy the ambiance of the garden alone. The sociable sea-view veranda is ideal for relaxing or dining at any time of the day; the cushions and paintings provide bright bursts of colour, and aesthetically match the vibrant end-of-day crimson sunsets. Towards the back of the villa is a second open-sided living space where you can relax on a daybed with a book before wandering across to the side garden for a cooling dip in the pool or a soothing massage on the jacuzzi shelf. Each of the three bedrooms is generously proportioned with high timber ceilings and benefit from satellite TVs, DVD players and modern ensuite bathrooms.
The staff at the villa share their time with sister-property South Point Abbey next-door. Booking both properties is an ideal solution for larger groups or a couple of families as a doorway in the garden provides private access between the two. For dining, you can select from a priced menu or self-cater in the well equipped kitchen (with staff doing your grocery shopping for you at cost price plus a small fee to cover transport and service charge). The staff team at the villa includes a manager and a chef; all are friendly and eager to please, but also respect your privacy.
Our review
- Overall Rating:
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7.8
- Reviewed:
- 02-Apr-2013
Enjoy 180 degree coastal views and direct access onto a pretty beach.
We felt that its having just three bedrooms also made South Point Villa good for couples; there are plenty of intimate places and the staff are a discreetly pampering presence. And its secluded setting – you are very unlikely to see any other tourists on this beach – would appeal to honeymooners and anyone wishing to escape into their own private hideaway. Rates for just one couple staying are lower, so it also represents good value.
There is a staff of 12 who work between this villa and sister property South Point Abbey, and despite mixed levels of English, the manager, cook and housekeeper understood us – and our needs – well. The chef bakes his own bread (delicious!) and presents the food imaginatively: Sri Lankan dishes and seafood being the house specialities.
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 7 | Location: | 8 | Outside Area: | 8 |
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| Living Area: | 7 | Bedrooms: | 8 | Bathrooms: | 8 |
| Kitchen: | 8 | Facilities: | 8 | Staff: | 8 |
| Value: | 8 |
Highlights
It’s great having a quiet beach just a few footsteps from the villa and since you can swim and snorkel in the sea just beyond as it’s protected by the reef it’s a real highlight, especially for families with children; just take care of the rocks and coral. You are more likely to see fishermen – both in and out of the water – than other tourists here!
Surprises
Expect to hear some traffic noise from time to time as the villa is located beside the main road; however since the bedrooms and living areas are to the front of the house overlooking the sea, they don’t suffer too badly from it. There is no railing along the timber decking at the front of the villa (which runs in front of the twin bedroom too) so toddlers should be encouraged to stay well away!
PROs
- Beautiful seaside situation
- Very generous room sizes
- Well-facilitated throughout
- Safe swimming in the sea
- Long-established villa
CONs
- Traffic noise from main road
- No railing on seaside timber deck
- The staff’s English varies
Gallery
Location
South Point Villa is set on a little coastal promontory in Kathaluwa, a small fishing village close to the expansive Koggala Lake. The sea stretches out in panorama to the front of the villa and a sandy beach extends to the west, shared with a huddle of colourful fishing boats. Swimming and snorkelling is possible here (with care) as the beach is protected by an offshore reef. The local restaurant scene is fairly low key, although options do include Easy Beach in Ahangama (2km) and the lovely Fortress Hotel in Koggala (2km). Kabalana Beach, beyond Ahangama, is very popular with surfers and swimming is good in this pretty bay too.
Places of Interest(KMs) |
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| Ahangama | 2.0 |
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| Koggala | 2.0 |
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| Habaraduwa | 3.0 |
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| Talpe | 7.0 |
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| Unawatuna | 11.0 |
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| Galle | 16.0 |
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| Mirissa | 23.0 |
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| Matara | 28.0 |
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| Hikkaduwa | 34.0 |
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| Tangalle | 66.0 |
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| Colombo | 132.0 |
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| International airport | 165.0 |
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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
Entrance to South Pint Villa is at the rear of the property into an enclosed courtyard where a daybed overlooks the side garden and swimming pool. From here a wooden walkway traverses a lotus pond and steps lead up into the main house.
At the heart of the villa is an L-shaped living space with high timber roof and mixed concrete and wood floors. Nearest the entrance are comfortable rattan chair and chaise longue seating whilst at the front overlooking the sea is an antique dining table for six. Each of the three bedrooms opens onto this fan-cooled living space as well as a guest washroom and a fully equipped, spacious kitchen for both staff and guest use. To the front are sliding glass doors that open onto a deep, covered, sea-view veranda with further dining table (for eight) to the left and rattan planter’s chair seating with bright blue cushions to the right. This veranda links to a wooden deck with steps descending onto the front lawn.
To the east of the villa is the master bedroom, which is accessed via a little corridor from the main living area. This spacious bedroom has high ceilings, timber floors and sliding doors onto a private terrace overlooking the mixed palm garden and sea. It has a queen-size four-poster bed, embellished wardrobe, Dutch chest with satellite TV and DVD player as well as huge ensuite bathroom with twin washbasins and shower.
To the west of the living area is Sea, a bedroom with similarly high ceilings, timber floors and sliding doors onto a decked terrace overlooking the sea and front lawn. It has twin four-poster double beds, a small Dutch chest with satellite TV and DVD player, embellished wardrobe and ensuite bathroom with twin marble-topped washbasins and shower.
To the rear of the villa is Pond, the third bedroom, with queen-size four-poster bed, Dutch chest with satellite TV and DVD player, antique cabinet and ensuite bathroom with twin marble-topped washbasins and shower.
Key Amenities
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Internet (WiFi)
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Swimming Pool (Private)
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TV (Satellite/Cable)
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Washing Machine
Other Amenities
- Air-con (Bedrooms)
- Baby Cot
- BBQ
- Bed Linen
- Bicycles
- Board Games/Toys
- Book Selection
- Car Parking
- CD Player/Stereo System
- Ceiling Fans
- Coffee Machine
- Computer (On Request)
- DVD Library
- DVD Player
- Equipped Kitchen
- Extra Bed (Roll away/mattress) (Extra)
- Food Menu
- Generator
- Hairdryers
- High Chairs
- IDD (On Request)
- Iron/Board
- Jacuzzi
- Laundry Service (Extra)
- Main Dining (8 persons)
- Microwave
- Oven/Hotplates
- Printer (On Request)
- Safe
- Swimming Pool Toys
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Wine Fridge
Villa Staff
- Babysitter (Extra)
- Chef/Cook (All meals)
- Garden/Pool Staff
- Housekeeping (Full time)
- Manager (Restricted hrs)
- Security (Night time only)
- Service Staff
- Shopper
Elegant, fully staffed 3-bedroom seaside villa on small private headland in Kathaluwa, footsteps from a gorgeous reef-protected swimming beach. With a selection of living and dining areas both inside and out, plus swimming pool amidst a grassy garden, South Point Villa works well for families and groups as well as couples.
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http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/south-point-villa.aspx
