Location:
Nisala Arana is a luxurious and peaceful holiday getaway set
in a four-acre estate a couple of miles from the expansive sandy
beaches of Bentota on Sri Lanka's west coast. The journey form
Colombo’s International Airport averages around two-and-threequarter
hours.
Description: Aptly named Nisala Arana or `abode
of peace’, this is truly a home away from home where the
Australian and Sri Lankan owners have created a serene atmosphere
ideal for the romantic among you. Many weddings and celebrations
have taken place in the gardens. Nisala Arana was once the estate
of the village Ayurvedic doctor or `vedha mahattaya’ and
its mid-19C`doctor’s house’ and the extensive gardens
filled with fruit and medicinal trees, have all been caringly
maintained. The lifestyle of the current owners adds flare to
a relaxing environment. From a private collection of vintage
cars to art, photography, antiques, yoga, or just occasional
stimulating conversation over a cup of Ceylon Tea, this is a
place where time is unscheduled.
Accommodation: Nisala Arana has three separate
villas that can accommodate up to
12. Additional day beds are available for children. An entire
villa or a room can be booked. Meals are charged separately.
All rooms are comfortably furnished with antique Dutch period
furniture including four-poster canopied beds, almairahs and
writing desks.
The Doctor’s House: This
Dutch colonial house follows the typical style of the old `walawuas’
and consists of a verandah and central courtyard pond, ornate
arches and columns, and flowered trellis window panels. There
are two rooms – a master suite with a king-sized four-poster
bed and a twin room which can accommodate a family of four.
Both rooms share a bathroom with open air h/w shower, wash basin,
and w/c. The living area has satellite TV, home theatre system,
play station, ipod station, and library. There is also a photocopier,
printer and wifi connection. The back of the house consists
of a dining area furnished with a six-seater antique table overlooking
the central courtyard pond, and a fully-equipped kitchen with
microwave oven, fridge and cooker. Guests are free to cook their
own meals or order in from the main restaurant. The
Coconut Wing: Named after the beautifully shaped
coconut tree that rises from the verandah, this wing has two
double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. The rooms have large
canopied beds on cement bases and can accommodate four adults.
The ensuite bathrooms have open air h/w showers, wash basin,
and w/c.
The Mango Wing: Located on the upper
floor over the garage. Two spacious suites can accommodate
four adults and two children. Each room has twin beds and
a day bed, almairah and writing desk. The rooms open out onto
a verandah overlooking the gardens. The large ensuite bathroom
has h/w shower, wash basin and w/c. The ground floor garage
houses the owner’s vintage cars including an open-top
Morris Minor which can be used to take guests on excursions.
Facilities: The extensive gardens are scattered
with medicinal and fruit trees that attracts numerous species
of birds. A separate dining pavilion is situated in the garden
and overlooks the swimming pool. Meals are served in the pavilion,
the gardens or on the verandha of your own villa. Sri Lankan
rice and curries as well as western cuisine can be prepared
with fresh sea food, meats and vegetables purchased in the
local market. Other facilities include a badminton court,
croquet lawn and holistic wellness treatments including relaxing
Ayurveda massages and yoga sessions. Nisala Arana is well
organized to host special events including weddings and all
necessary arrangements can be made. Staff includes the resident
manager and owner – Ben Pereira -- housekeeper, gardener,
chef and nightwatchman.
Excursions: Visit nearby Lunuganga, a garden
retreat, and lifelong project for Sri Lanka’s iconic
architect, Geoffrey Bawa. Watersports are on offer in Bentota
and Hikkaduwa. Go out to sea in a catamaran with the fisherman
or take a boat ride along the tranquil Madu River past quaint
rural villages. Visit Kosgoda’s Marine Turtle hatchery
– a valuable conservation project. Experience Ambalangoda’s
cultural heritage with a visit to the Ariyapala Mask Museum
where intricate masks used in various southern traditional
dance forms are on display. Masked dancing is also performed
here regularly. Take a trip to Mitiyagoda’s gem village.
| Rates available on request
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