Apa Villa Thalpe

Rooms

Spread between 3 villas, 6 of the 7 elegant suites enjoy wonderful sea views. Contemporary yet colonial, living areas are spacious and stylish. Beds are set on raised platforms and laid with crisp linen. Mosquito nets are cleverly hung from the inside. Ceiling fans, air-con and the sea breeze will keep you cool. Mod cons are minimal (this is about escaping modern life), but you will find plenty of books to read.

Suites 1, 2 and 3 - Cinnamon Villa
Each suite has one double and one single bed as well as a sitting area. They share a large central living room and a long terrace with rattan sofas for lazing around in the heat of the day. Suite 2 has garden views, the others look to the sea.

Suites 4 and 5 - Cardamon Villa
Each large suite has a double bed, a walk-in wardrobe and a sitting room. They share a wide veranda furnished with colonial-style chaise longues and a dining area that faces the swimming pool.

Suites 6 and 7 - Saffron Villa
Saffron has the most spacious suites and they’re divided by a pretty lily pond. Each has a double bedroom, a sitting room and a terrace.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Barbecue
• Cots Available
• Extra beds
• Fan
• Fridge
• Mosquito net
• Terrace
• WiFi

Eating

One of the highlights of Apa Villas is the delicious food. The permanent household staff can cater to your needs - nothing is too much trouble. The varied menus cover local specialties and international dishes, all of which are carefully prepared to your taste. Guests tend to eat on their verandas, although there is a large dining room in the main house for big groups.

Dinners range from freshly caught crab with a Singapore twist to Sri Lankan curries using coconuts picked from the surrounding grove. Most dishes are based on locally grown vegetables bought fresh that day, and you can also sample squid, prawns and meats from the market.

Breakfast is a healthy selection of tropical fruits, buffalo milk curd, toast, eggs, pancakes, marsala omelettes and Sri Lankan breakfast hoppers.

Light lunches (salads, burgers, sandwiches and cakes) are available throughout the day.

Refreshing chilled beers, cocktails made from local liquors, homemade popsicles and freshly made juices (including pineapple, watermelon, passion fruit and orange) can be provided.

If you fancy a night out, head to the buzzy Wijaya beach bar and restaurant nearby. Otherwise there are some lovely restaurants in Galle and laid-back beach cafes in Unawatuna.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Breakfast
• Children's meals
• Dinner by arrangement
• Fridge
• In house cook
• Lunch by arrangement
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian menu

Activities

• Visit the historic coastal town of Galle (8km), once occupied by the Portuguese and then the Dutch. Explore the labyrinth of buzzy shops and eateries lining the narrow streets inside its 17th-century fort
  
• Wijaya beach (1.5km) is great for swimming, snorkelling and turtle-spotting
  
• Go scuba diving in Unawatuna (3km). There's a dive centre with qualified instructors who will take you to explore ship wrecks. Experienced divers can also explore the coral reef in front of Apa Villas where you may spot barracudas, lion fish and lobsters – staff can arrange equipment
  
• Visit the small but untouristy Kataluwa Buddhist temple, tucked away in the jungle near Galle
  
• The helpful staff can arrange cycling, rafting, canoeing and trekking
  
• Enjoy sundowners on the beach or relax with an in-suite massage (on request)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Rafting
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Trekking
• Wildlife

Kids

Children are welcome at Apa Villas and staff will do all they can to help parents.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

All suites can hold an extra bed or baby cot. The Cinnamon and Saffron Villa suites can each sleep up to 4. For oodles of space, book an entire villa or even the whole property.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection