Villa Talangama

Introduction

Villa Talangama has long been loved by Red Dot clients. It enjoys a quiet, unspoiled lakeside setting, seemingly a world away from the commercial heart of Colombo about half-an-hour away. The villa setting is best described as a `village in the city' surrounded by paddy fields, lotus filled lakes and birds everywhere - perched on the veranda, flitting onto trees in the small and secluded garden, and even on the buffalo that relax on the lakeside and that provide a daily delivery of curd and treacle from the farmer next door. Villa Talangama is a meticulous Sri Lankan home. The words of one early guest from the UK still resonate today: "Every place we perched, every view we had, every sound we heard and every dish we ate was heavenly! We cannot think of a better place to have started and ended our holiday in Sri Lanka. In fact we found it difficult to find anywhere that matched up to this place during our travels…. there is certainly something special about this villa - the beautiful décor, the welcoming atmosphere, the food, the service and the surroundings." Villa Talangama is mainly rented exclusively to one party and occasionally, given to two parties at one time if the guests agree. Privacy is assured at all times. Villa Talangama is an ideal first or last stop on your holiday itinerary.

Accommodation

Villa Talangama is a three-bedroomed villa that comfortably accommodates up to five adults. The simply-furnished bedrooms have a/c and ceiling fan and are on the upper floor with scenic views of the Talangama wetlands. Due to low staircase railings upstairs, Villa Talangama is not recommended for children below eight years.

Kings Suite: This is a spacious double room furnished with a four-poster bed. The ensuite bathroom has an open air h/w shower.

Queens Suite: A medium-sized twin-bedded room with a/c and ceiling fan.  Ensuite bathroom has an open air h/w shower.

Single Room:  There is also a small single room next door to the Queen Suite.  This room shares an adjacent bathroom with the Queens Suite.

Facilities

Villa Talangama was built in the early 21C and is typical of Sri Lankan architecture with courtyards and verandas that skirt around the villa giving it a very traditional atmosphere appreciated by many. The villas is designed with large doors and windows opening out to the swimming pool, the gardens and the wetlands beyond; cooling cement floors; open-air bathrooms; timber ceilings; and clay-tiled roofs. The ground floor consists of the living and dining areas opening out to the garden. Hours can be spent lounging by the poolside or on the verandah by the ponds. The upstairs lounge area consists of a flat screen TV with satellite channels, DVD player and collection of films, CD player and a library with interesting titles on Sri Lanka. There is also an iPad available for the guests to use. Meals are served when and wherever you please - al fresco dining by the poolside or in the elegantly laid out dining room facing an ochre colored, pebbled courtyard. Both Western dishes and Sri Lankan rice and curries using locally available ingredients are served. If you wish, you are welcome in the spacious and modern kitchen to do your own cooking with Pathmanathan, the in-house chef giving you a helping hand, or just sit back and choose from one of the menus on offer.The villa is wi-fi enabled.

Why we like it

This heritage villa on Colombo's outskirts offers great-value exclusive use and has easy airport links, a wetland setting, pool and top-notch Sri Lankan food.

Location

Villa Talangama is a three-bedroom villa set on the banks of the Talangama Wetlands in the outskirts of Colombo. It is located minutes away from the Kottawa entrance to the Southern highway making it en route to the west coast and southern beaches. The journey from Colombo’s international airport will take about 1.5 hours.