GENERAL

The three double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms have both ceiling fans and AC. The rest of the house does not have AC as the ceiling fans and sea breezes provide ample cooling.  The en-suite bathrooms are all 'inside and out' with the double basins and loos fully covered but with open air private shower areas.  The Bathrooms for Bedrooms Two and Three both enclose palm trees within their walls while Bedroom One’s bathroom has a flowerbed planted with Sri Lankan jasmine.  There is a further guest bathroom off the living room.  All the bedlinen as well as the beach and bath towels provided are 100% cotton.

As the house and pool are all one level, it provides ease of access for guests with more limited mobility, see Haleh's review and feedback. 

Maximum occupancy is 6 adults.  A cot can be provided for small children. 

THE KITCHEN

The extensive kitchen units include a wide breakfast bar with leather-topped stools well placed to take in the stunning view.   It's a great place for a casual breakfast, a lime soda or a cold beer; it's also the owners' favourite spot for a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.  The countertops are all hand-crafted and finished in grey terrazzo, as are the open shelves with a fully stocked 'chef's kitchen'.  The kitchen has a complete range of pots, pans, glasses and crockery.  It is fully fitted with all mod cons including an oven, gas hob, fridge with freezer compartment, front loading washing machine, toaster, kettle, and stovetop espresso pots.  The kitchen, which is approximately 5.5m x 5m, opens onto the dining room.

the Dining room

The 6m x 6m dining room has a fabulous view out over the swimming pool to the sea. It has a large egg-shaped steel framed polished concrete dining table designed by the owner which seats ten people. The table’s shape amply accommodates myriad dishes for a traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry meal.  The two low cupboards contain glasses, candles etc.  The painting in the dining room is by a Sri Lankan artist depicting an area known as Elephant Pass.  The dining room has sliding glass doors leading out onto the terrace with translucent sun shades, if needed for the afternoon sun, as well as a ceiling fan.  It also has glass panels providing a continuous view across the courtyard and living room.

The Living Room

A covered walkway connects the dining room to the living room.  This 9m x 6m space has two very large sofas, a large coffee table, and a console table behind one of the sofas providing a divide between the 'lounging' and 'reading' areas.  On the 'reading' side there are two comfortable arm chairs and a side table.  The living room room has the same sliding glass doors onto the terrace, again with the translucent sun shades, if needed for the afternoon sun, as well as three ceiling fans.  It also has glass panels to the side providing a continuous view across the courtyard and dining room.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Just off the living room is a guest bathroom with a loo and basin.

All three bedrooms have 2m+ double beds with side tables and ensuite bathrooms.  All have both AC and ceiling fans.  All windows have wooden shutters.   Bedroom One is 7m x 4.5m, and Bedrooms Two and Three are marginally smaller at 6m x 4.5m. 

Bedroom One is off the covered walk way between the dining room and living room.  Bedroom Two is at the far end of the house off the living room.  Bedroom Three is off the living room with a courtyard at the back planted with a fragrant frangiapani tree.   Bedroom 3 has a TV and a reasonably eclectic library (nearly all in English).

All three ensuite bathrooms are 'inside and out' with the double basins and loos fully covered but with open air private shower areas.  None of the bathrooms has a bath.  As mentioned previously, the bathrooms for Bedrooms Two and Three both enclose palm trees within their walls while Bedroom One’s bathroom has a flowerbed planted with Sri Lankan jasmine.  Bathroom One is 5m x 4m, and bathrooms Two and Three are slightly smaller at around 4m x 4m, including the planted areas.

Outside

The front terrace running the length of the house and adjoining the pool is a wide, honed slate terrace framing three mature palm trees and with six sun loungers.  At the far end of the house is a wooden decked side terrace shaded by palm and witikeya (a type of mangrove) trees; this shady area has two loungers for reading.  On the right hand end of the pool, looking out to sea, is an outdoor dining terrace with local kithul wood tables and six chairs made again by the local workshop and using local materials.  It’s a fabulous spot for breakfast and sundowners as the sun sets over the swimming pool.  At the right hand side of the pool there are steps leading down to the lower garden area and the gate to the beach.  Halfway down is a long, cushion-covered bench, shaded by the witikeya tree behind it, which makes it perfect for a quiet read or snooze.  It's one of our favourite spots for peace and quiet and well worth bagging early!

To the rear of the house is the staff house.

The entrance courtyard provides secure parking for two cars.

facilities

The swimming pool is 19.2m long x 5m wide, and is 1.5m deep throughout its length.  It has wide steps at either end of the house but leaving sufficient width for guests to swim laps, including tumble turns.  The slate pool tiles were hand cut and chosen to match the overriding colour of the sea.  The pool is heated by the sun and is chlorinated. There are underwater lights on three sides of the pool.

The garden is planted throughout with indigenous Sri Lankan trees and plants.  Great care was taken in designing the house to incorporate the existing trees and shrubs into the overall plan.  There are wide steps connecting the house, main terrace and pool area with the lower garden which is flat and grassy and good for games.  There is also a large BBQ.

In addition to the other conveniences mentioned above, such as the library, the house also has fibre wifi.