What You Get
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
TV (Satellite/Cable)
Washing Machine
The Experience
It’s no accident that this villa’s name is red. It’s the colour of passionate revolutionaries and the owner of Villa Red, an innovative figure in Sri Lanka’s apparel and sporting industries, has embellished this theme throughout the villa by displaying iconic images of some of the twentieth century’s most famed cultural visionaries. Paintings, prints and photographs of such controversial leaders as Mao Zedong and Che Guevara pump personality into the villa as they gaze down into the house and prompt topics for after-dinner conversations. The owner is also a keen boxer and his sporting idols – such as Mohammad Ali - also scatter the walls; the master suite, particularly, is a treasure-trove of recent sporting greats.
Beneath this iconography sits an elegant five-bedroom villa that borders the Bentota River, a stone’s throw from a four-kilometre stretch of beach. Prettily set in a manicured tropical garden enhanced by a swimming pool languishing beside swaying palms and exotic red blooms, the villa exhibits a contemporary open-plan design that feels particularly convivial; the long dining table extends almost into the garden itself. Red is an ideal villa for a large or multi-generational family, since there’s one huge master bedroom and four smaller doubles. The villa comes with a staff team of three, including a cook, and there’s a great kitchen, although the cook’s creations (western and Sri Lankan cuisine) are more than enough to deter guests from taking over the stove . Oriental furnishings liberally scatter the villa alongside a collection of more conservative Sri Lankan wardrobes and dressers. Cupboards stocked with DVDs, tables topped with glossy tomes and a full CD collection provide diversion from the water-borne activities for which the region is famed.
Bentota offers many fun activities for families and sports enthusiasts both on land and water. Waterskiing, windsurfing, jetskiing, fishing and even banana-boating can all be directly embarked upon from the villa’s private jetty that lies to the front of the garden, whilst the beach is only a five minute drive away. For the water shy, there are many opportunities to visit fish markets and local temples, and take scenic bicycle rides inland. The villa’s excellent central location in Bentota means that there are many good restaurants, shops and spas within easy reach.
Our review
- Overall Rating:
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7.7
- Reviewed:
- 11-Apr-2012
“With a jetty out front and the ocean two minutes away, Villa Republic Bentota is water-sport heaven.”
The master suite is a lot more spacious than the other four bedrooms, which means a toss of a coin if staying with friends, but heaven for parents with a gaggle of kids in tow. For a five-bedroom property, Villa Republic Bentota is very good value. All food is charged at cost price and we enjoyed delicious local curries and pasta dishes during our stay. Mr Fernando heads up the staff team of three (plus security guards) and although he strived to make sure we were always well-fed and watered, we liked that he left us to our own devices too.
We weren’t massively keen on the fixed glass panels in the master suite that covered two of the side doorways, as it would have been nice to have the breeze flowing freely from the garden. That said, the glass panelling at the front was wonderful for maximising views of the river right from the bed (with AC on high!): by day we watched water skiers, jet skiers and wind surfers, and in the early morning before anyone was around, we watched fishermen embarking upriver. Note that the villa’s garden isn’t large, so although you’ve got loads to do on your doorstep, space might be limiting for energetic young kids.
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 9 | Location: | 8 | Outside Area: | 7 |
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| Living Area: | 8 | Bedrooms: | 7 | Bathrooms: | 7 |
| Kitchen: | 8 | Facilities: | 8 | Staff: | 7 |
| Value: | 8 |
Highlights
We loved Villa Republic's personality. Visually and emotionally it packed a punch, and its situation beside the river is stunning; make sure you have at least one candlelit dinner on the jetty while you’re here! Its location is fab for water sportsmen and beach bums alike, with a jetty out front and the ocean only five minutes’ away. For those looking for a choice of eateries and spas, Bentota is also the place to be.
Surprises
If you’re looking for complete peace and privacy, then this villa’s location does have its flaws as the tranquillity is often broken by jet skies and boats (some of them quite fumy), plus the regular 8am seaplane departure. Although the timber decking and jetty is to the far side of the garden, there is no boundary fence or wall so parents will need to keep an eye on wandering toddlers. We thought the bathrooms could have done with some brighter lighting.
PROs
- Action-packed riverside location
- Just five minutes to the beach
- Discreet staff team and good cook
- Water sports on your doorstep
- Personality-packed interiors
CONs
- Noise from jet skis and boats
- Limited garden space
Gallery
Location
Villa Republic is situated in Aluthgama, beside the Bentota River, just to the north of Bentota. Sweeping views of the river can be enjoyed from the villa’s garden and there are a couple of reputable water sports outfits just next-door. The narrow road that the villa sits on leads to guesthouses and restaurants flanking the river, plus a particularly good wood carving shop where you can see some of the island’s most famous designs being created – all by hand, of course. Walk up to the main road (10m) and turn left and you’re in Aluthgama, which has a range of tourist shops, supermarkets and banks. The long stretch of beach at Bentota is just a five-minute drive or, if you can arrange it, an even shorter boat ride away. The Sri Lankan Air Taxi (sea plane) lands on the river opposite the villa, so if you’re coming straight from the airport you can dismiss the road and arrive here in style, in no time at all.
Places of Interest(KMs) |
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| Bentota Beach | 0.5 |
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| Fresh Produce Market | 0.8 |
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| Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery | 5.0 |
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| Kalutara | 19.0 |
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| Galle | 58.0 |
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| Colombo | 62.0 |
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| Bandaranaike Intl Airport | 92.0 |
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About Bentota
Bentota's sandy beaches, extensive lagoon and exciting water sports have made this resort town famous. Located on Sri Lanka's west coast, its palm-fringed beach stretches along a dramatic sandbar washed on both sides by water; that of the Indian Ocean and the Bentota Lagoon. Jet skis whizz atop the tranquil waters of the lagoon dodging windsurfers and kayakers as well as speed boats pulling jet skiers, wakeboarders and inflatables topped with soaked sun-seekers. Many diving companies also operate from Bentota during the west coast season (November to April) whilst boatmen offer eco-adventures further upriver.
What many do not know though, is that its best beaches can be found towards the south, near Induruwa. The crowds rarely head this way and the food is incredible in every aspect. Inland from Bentota, the scene is engulfed by rice fields, palm jungles, waterways and the odd hillock, often topped by a bright white Buddhist dagoba. Things to do in Bentota include visits to two very special gardens, both of which belong to the late Bawa brothers; Bevis, the artist and Geoffrey, the architect extraordinaire. Bevis' Brief Garden is at Kalowila and comprises intimate walled gardens plus a very special collection of art, whilst Geoffrey's Lunuganga is a bigger Italianate garden with views to die for.
Connections to Colombo and Galle can be made from Aluthgama train station, which is just a couple of kilometres north of Bentota. Here banks with ATMs, bakeries and pharmacies can also be found. A holiday in Bentota is sure to tick all the right boxes.
About West Coast
The west coast of Sri Lanka is the island’s original tourist hotspot, blessed with numerous picture-perfect gold sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. These wide beaches are fringed with hotels and restaurants often hidden below the tall, swaying palms. Sandy tracks lead to water-sport facilities, signs point towards intimate spa and Ayurveda centres whilst stone pathways take you to bijou shopping malls where a whole range of island memorabilia can be found.
Local residents are friendly and never fail to offer their services; whether it is to take visitors bird watching inland, to a marine turtle hatchery such as Kosgoda, for a special temple tour, on a surfing safari in Hikkaduwa or on a scenic adventure up the Madhu Ganga River for a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s lush interior.
Between the bigger resort towns, the beaches (Balapitiya to Kosgoda for example) are more unspoilt and often deserted except for a handful of sarong-clad fishermen and their multi-coloured boats. But no beach is ever too far from the main road. Look up to the skies and you will see that the coconut palms in this western region, especially around Bentota, are often connected by tightropes used by toddy tappers - men who climb into the trees to obtain the sweet, milky sap of the coconut blossom that is distilled into the local alcoholic brew, arrack, which you must try at least once!
Just a short distance inland the scenery bursts with different shades of green as paddy fields, coconut and rubber plantations, verdant hills, lush valleys, mangroves, lagoons and foliage-covered buildings represent an authentic Sri Lankan village scene.
Rooms
The elegant living and dining spaces of this sociable villa link smoothly from one to another: the front entrance opens into a spacious foyer with comfy wicker chairs laid out under the watchful eyes of Che Guevara, and from here doors lead into an L-shaped living room furnished with plush white sofas and a dining table for ten which stretches lengthily between slender timber pillars towards the garden and pool.
In the living room, Mao Zedong’s portrait rises tall above a flat-screen TV whilst ceiling fans gently whirr overhead. Also on the walls are mounted photographs of John Lennon gazing peacefully towards a glass-fronted cabinet stocked with Communist books, Russian fur hats, medals and photographic accounts of the Vietnam War. DVDs stock another cabinet topped by a sound system attached to a CD/DVD player. Secreted to one end of the living room is a nook furnished with matching white squashy sofas and book-topped coffee table, designed for quietly stealing away. Leading off from the living room is a spacious fully equipped kitchen. Worktops are finished in smart black terrazzo, and its monochrome décor harks evocatively back to the 1940s.
The five bedrooms all open onto the garden terrace and swimming pool. Of these, four are located in pairs either side of the dining area. These rooms are almost identical, and come with double beds (two queen size and two standard), side tables, built-in cupboards and ensuite bathrooms with showers. All that sets them apart is their thematic artwork, which includes Vietnamese propaganda posters, framed photos of Soviet freedom fighters and American boxers.
The very spacious master suite faces the river, with tall glass panels to the front making the most of the aquatic views. A four-poster bed, wardrobe, dressing table, chest with a flat-screen TV and DVD player top the warm timber floors along with a black leather sofa for lounging. Photographs of the owner at prestigious sporting events, adorn the walls. Attached is a big ensuite bathroom with twin sinks and a shower.
Within the garden is a small pavilion with bench seating for hiding away and gazing over the pool. Beyond, a long wooden deck topped with tables and chairs is perfectly sited for watching activity on the river and the sun setting westwards at dusk.
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 (On Request)
- BBQ
- Bed Linen
- Book Selection
- Car Parking
- CD Library
- CD Player/Stereo System
- Ceiling Fans
- Coffee Machine
- DVD Library
- DVD Player
- Equipped Kitchen
- Extra Bed (Roll away/mattress)
- Food Starter Pack (Extra)
- Hairdryers
- High Chairs (On Request)
- Hotplates
- iPod Dock/Speakers
- Iron/Board
- Laundry Service
- Main Dining (10 persons)
- Microwave
- Oven/Hotplates
- Toiletries
- Towels
- TV (Local channels)
- Wine Fridge
Villa Staff
- Chef/Cook (All meals)
- Garden/Pool Staff
- Housekeeping (Full time)
- Manager (Restricted hrs)
- Security
- Shopper
This 5-bedroom riverside villa in the west coast water sports resort of Bentota celebrates cultural revolutionaries in both name and décor. Furnished with striking oriental pieces set within elegant open-plan living areas, this staffed family friendly villa with swimming pool, garden and private jetty is five minutes from the beach.
http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/villa-red.aspx
