The Rooms

The four lodge bedrooms are arranged in pairs, with each pair sharing a small sitting area in the middle. They can be booked separately or together. It is a clever layout and works particularly well for older families. Parents and children can have their own bedrooms while still sharing a comfortable space in between.

There are also two cabanas set slightly apart from the main lodge. These are beautiful, large, airy rooms with plenty of space for additional beds, which makes them a good option for families as well. The views from the cabanas are particularly good, looking out across the surrounding greenery and hills. We also recommend these for honeymooners or those wanting privacy – the balconies on the cabanas are breathtaking.

Because of the layout, pool and and open space around the property, Tekanda works best for families with children over six. It is less suited to toddlers. Many extended families also choose to take over the whole lodge, which works very well given the small number of rooms.

Life at Tekanda

Days at the lodge can be relaxed and unstructured. Mornings might start with yoga looking out over the jungle, followed by breakfast and perhaps a wander around the plantation that surrounds the property.

The striking infinity pool becomes the natural centre of the day. In the evening it takes on a different atmosphere altogether. Once it gets dark, fireflies appear around the trees and above the pool, flickering quietly in the warm night air. If you’re lucky you may get to see purple faced langur monkeys as well.

Guests can also arrange massages in their rooms, which fits well with the unhurried pace of the place.

Dinner is often a communal affair, which we love. Guests gather around the table and the atmosphere is relaxed and sociable. It is one of the things that gives Tekanda its character. For those that prefer dining by themselves, this is possible anywhere on the land, and due to the high quality restaurants nearby many of our guests also choose to dine out.

The staff are excellent. Friendly, attentive and genuinely welcoming, they help create the easy-going feel that runs through the whole lodge.

Great for Families with Teenagers

Tekanda works particularly well for families travelling with teenagers. The south coast offers plenty to keep them entertained. Surfing at Kabalana Beach, visiting the many cafés and restaurants along the coast, and exploring the nearby towns such as Galle all make it an exciting place to be.

At the same time, the lodge itself gives them space to roam and unwind. The plantation grounds, the pool and the open space around the property mean there is room to relax without feeling confined.

There are also opportunities to connect with the area in a more meaningful way. Through the Tekanda Foundation, guests can learn about local community projects and see some of the work being done in nearby villages by Charlie and Richard.

And for those who enjoy being outdoors, fishing trips on Koggala Lake are another memorable experience nearby.

Exploring the Area

Being slightly inland does not mean you are far from anything. Kabalana Beach is just down the road and is one of the best known surf spots along this stretch of coast. It is popular with surfers of all levels. Ahangama is one of Asia trendiest locations, with some of the best restaurants on the island.

There are also plenty of other things to do nearby. Koggala Lake is close by and offers the chance to head out fishing, visit cinnamon planters, island temples or simply explore the waterways by boat. We can even arrange a picnic.

A simple but memorable trip is the local train into Galle, which runs along the coastline before arriving in the historic fort city. Galle itself is full of small shops, cafés and colonial buildings and is well worth a visit. At Red Dot, we can arrange so many bespoke experiences for you as part of your tailor-made journey.

The Tekanda Foundation

Alongside the lodge, Charlie and Richard also created the Tekanda Foundation, which supports communities in the surrounding area. The foundation runs an education and activity centre called Gamata Athak, meaning ‘a hand to the village’.

Through the centre, children and young people from nearby villages can access free classes in English, maths, science and computer skills, as well as vocational training such as cooking, dressmaking and handicrafts.

Sport also plays a big role. One of the most notable initiatives is the Tekanda Girls Cricket Academy, which provides coaching and opportunities for girls from rural communities who might not otherwise have access to organised sport.

The foundation now works with hundreds of women and children from villages across the region, helping to create opportunities for education, skills and confidence.

Why Tekanda Works

What makes Tekanda special is the balance it strikes. You have the energy of Sri Lanka’s south coast nearby, but you are not staying right in the middle of it. Instead, you return to ten acres of quiet hillside, open space and the sounds of the jungle. It feels like Southern Sri Lanka many years ago.