Bandara Watte Villa Retreat, ten minutes to beach.

Bandara Watte is a spacious relaxed and secluded historic home set within 6 acres consisting of gardens, cinnamon groves, coconut plantation, and pristine rain forest in Weligama, Sri Lanka. It is a happy place with lots of room for relaxing and fun, 10 minutes to the beaches of Weligama and Mirissa by tuk tuk. The house retains a natural air of tranquil mystery, and even when it's is full, you can always find a quiet spot for reflective moments. Things we can organise for you include...... The space WE OFFER Airport pick up/drop off Surf instruction at the beach yoga at the house Cooking classes River safaris - the Polwatta River winds from the garden's distant end directly to Weligama Bay and the sea Jungle garden tours Eco friendly whale-watching trips. Wildlife safari daytrips to national parks lunch and dinner can be provided upon request and are charged at local rate rooms are serviced daily We often act as a venue for regular yoga and surf retreat organisers. Recent impromptu requests from guests have included, a New year's Eve fireworks display, a cricket match, a traditional banquet, and a Tuk Tuk convoy surf tour with a picnic! "Do not follow where a path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Dating from around 1790 this is a colonial manor house without the colonial attitudes. The property is unique, the house situated as it is in such large and beautiful grounds, can quite take your breath away, the feeling of space, and freedom, and privacy. We want to share that feeling, it deserves to be shared and known, this little place, shy and secret, in our great big wonderful world. THE "OLD HOUSE" An historic restored wallauwa, Bandara Watte retains most of its original features: shuttered windows, stucco plasterwork and polished floors. It is sympathetically decorated in simple and contemporary style. The house sleeps six people, but can comfortably accommodate up to eleven. Even when the house is full, you can always find a quiet spot for reflective moments. There are three bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, and beautiful garden views. There are also two reception rooms, a study overlooking the gardens, and a covered verandah. In addition, built upon the site of the original kitchens and stores, is the "Big room". It is a new build, it's exterior is of the period, whilst the interior is fresh, simple, and contemporary, with polished concrete floors and kitchen units. A covered verandah leads you from the old building to the new. The Big Room is open plan and accommodates the kitchen, dining area, and a third large reception room furnished with comfy denim sofas. A rear verandah overlooks the gardens, tennis court, and natural stream. The kitchen is fully equipped, with oven, hob, a microwave oven, juicers, etc. As well as the everyday china, there is also a large antique dinner service, stored in a glazed antique cabinet for special occasions, or for fun. The dining table seats twelve, and was designed to also serve as a full size table tennis table Bedroom One occupies the entire upper floor of the house, and has a kingsize bed and air conditioning. There is enough room to comfortably fit four more beds if necessary. There are antique floorboards, and the bedroom is reached via the turquoise staircase with small gallery overlooking the reception below. The ensuite bathroom, has traditional windows which give panoramic views of the garden and a high ceiling. It has a stone washbasin, shower, and WC. Bedroom two has twin beds, with room for one more, it's original polished floor, and air conditioning. It is a traditional windowless room which receives plenty of natural light from its ensuite bathroom, The en suite bathroom has a polished floor, hand decorated walls, twin wash basins, WC and a shower. Bedroom Three ("her lady's chamber") is a double height room, with original polished floors, it has a double bed and air conditioning. The ensuite bathroom has deep turquoise polished cement floors and wall, copper gilded bath ( with piping hot water), copper gilded chandelier, washbasin and WC THE GARDENS The property is a working coconut and cinnamon plantation. There are Mango, Lime, Banana, and Tamarind trees, Frangipani grow with tiny wild orchids nestling in their branches. Most of the planting was undertaken many years ago and as a result rare and medicinal fruits still grow in the gardens. The grounds around the house are cultivated natural lawn. Beyond the rear of the house is a stream, and beyond that the wild rain forest garden begins, leading down to the river. Garden safaris are exciting and can be organised at any time during your stay. The Polwatte River borders the far end of the grounds, and our riverbank is a government protected Wildlife reserve. WILDLIFE The garden is alive with birds, most notably the peacocks. It is in the migratory path of butterflies, so you are there at just the right time in November you'll see a festival of butterflies fluttering through the grounds. The wildlife is unique and diverse. There are monkeys, chipmunks, porcupines, mongooses and monitor lizards in the gardens, even the occasional Cobra across the stream, or occasional Crocodile in the Polwatta River! And don't forget.... ..... to watch the fireflies dance .If you look up, you'll find the night sky is blanketed in stars .. Guest access Guests will have full and exclusive use of the entire property including the 6 acres of grounds. Walks into the rainforest should be undertaken with our gardener and guide. Wheelchair accessability is excellent with access to all rooms except the master bedroom on the first floor. Other things to note We do not have pets, however, the gardens are visited by a dog, Besty and her puppy. They are lovely, sweet natured, and found us when they were starving. They are now healthy, neutered and vaccinated. Pussy meow is a cat who comes to the garden to have kittens!! "Community" animals are extremely common in Sri Lanka, Besty and Pussy meow and have become fixtures of the garden, and are safe and cared for when they visit.