Phoenix Retreat Luxury Villa, Sri Lanka

A luxury, get away from it all villa, in a lagoon side setting, flanked by jungle and at the end of a quiet unpaved road just 10 minutes inland from lively Hikkaduwa. Serviced by housekeeping staff to give you the ultimate privacy of your own villa but with Sri Lankan hospitality The space We first came to Sri Lanka in September 2009 and was instantly charmed by the people, their culture and the fantastic natural landscape. Our sketch plan ideas became a reality and the build of The Retreat completed in 2012. Developing the Phoenix Retreat has been a real labour of love over the years. Our aim has always been to provide luxury accommodation in the most amazing tropical setting for guests who want to experience the real Sri Lanka but who also value having home comforts to hand. Formerly, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, we rebranded as The Phoenix Retreat in 2020, after the worldwide pandemic of Covid-19 forced us to close our doors and consider what the future might hold. The Sri Lankan government closed its borders and allowed repatriation flights only. Its covid policy is to require all foreign tourists to stay at Sri Lankan Tourist Board (SLTB) approved accommodation, after opening back up, given the SLTB require all properties; hotels, villas, guest houses registered with them, to adhere to their health and safety and covid safety policies. We were one of the first privately owned villas to obtain accreditation, with merit (see our certificate in the photos section of this website) The Interior: You will find lofty, light filled interiors, enhanced by contemporary bespoke furniture made in Moratua and the bold use of colour from furnishings sourced in Colombo’s fashionable districts. The original oil paintings that adorn every room are all the work of the talented local artist who has a shop The Saffron Gallery in Hikkaduwa. The ornate wood carvings and signs are the work of a gifted local wood carver Suda, also from Hikkaduwa. High ceilings and natural airflow keep the villa cool, sustained by the natural cement floors. There are air con units, with timer switches, in all 3 bedrooms and ceiling fans throughout the property. The downstairs veranda and upstairs balcony are covered, to provide shade from the midday sun or shelter from the occasional tropical downpours. The Grounds: The huge 14m x 8m pool lays just off the veranda and is surrounded by lush gardens. The cabana within the grounds is also a peaceful oasis with pond, water feature and 2 hammocks, an ideal place for relaxing, listening to the waterfall and wildlife in the gardens Monitor lizards, iguanas, porcupine, mongoose,chipmonks and leaf monkeys visit the garden by day; while fruit bats fill the skies at dusk. Sit on the jetty on the lagoon itself and you will encounter abundant and extraordinary wildlife with parakeets, kingfishers, cormorants ,sea eagles and mynah birds that roost in the jungle bordering the lagoon. The local fishermen dot the landscape at dawn and at dusk to lay their nets and return for their catch. They may offer you fresh lagoon prawns at the jetty, but you can try you hand at fishing off the house paddle boat or off the jetty Guest access The whole villa Other things to note The Retreat is serviced by staff who provide security and safety, grounds and pool maintenance, cleaning and bed sheet and towel changes, all within the price of your stay. Food can be prepared for a very reasonable service charge, paid for separately by you at the end of your stay. Our housekeepers are happy to cook breakfast, lunch and/ or dinner for you, for a small service charge. All you need do is decide what you wish to eat and our team will buy the ingredients and cook for you. There are 3 bedrooms each with a super kingsize bed, additionally there is a single inflatable airbed suitable for children up to the age of 13 years. The minimum stay is 3 nights in low season and 5 nights in high season, and 1 week between 11th December and 6th January during Christmas and New Year There is a supplement for weekend only stays, please enquire before booking. There are 3 kingsize beds, 1 single inflatable bed suitable for a child and 1 baby cot for an infant