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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
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Rock Villa in Bentota by Taru Villas is boutique hotel, set on a beautiful, un-crowded stretch of coastline in the southwest of Sri Lanka. Originally a 170-year-old Walauwa (Heritage House) it is spread over 2.5 acres of private tropical garden, fronting the Indian Ocean. With original terracotta tiled roofs, wraparound airy verandas studded with rattan sofas and cooled by slow whirring ceiling fans, this picture-perfect setting jumps straight out of a 19th-century movie scene.
Inside the Rock Villa, high white ceilings characterise the colonial-feel with six spacious guestrooms, spread across the property. All are elegantly styled with fine original terracotta-tiled floors, antique artefacts and contemporary local art. Those looking for more space can book the two-bedroom Pool Suite, complete with comfy beds, inviting sofas and a pretty alfresco dining area. Mod cons in the room include TVs, DVD players, air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms with rain showers.
There is a dedicated team of staff with an experienced chef who creates a contemporary menu with fresh seafood and local ingredients. Dining at Rock Villa is very relaxed so you have a choice to eat when and where you like. Guests can walk down to the beach where the hotel organises sundowners or you can relax in the lovely large pool situated in the middle of the garden. Rock Villa is ideally located roughly between Colombo and Galle Fort to make easy day trips.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolPrivate BeachRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay Rock Villa features just six guestrooms. These include two Deluxe, two Superior and the Wallawwa Suite. Deluxe Rooms have a modern, beachy feel, with plenty of white timber furnishings and comfy double beds. Those wanting outdoor space can opt for the spacious Superior Rooms with sofa-studded verandas. The original two-bedroom Wallawwa Suite has a living and dining room opening out to a private veranda with garden views. All have ensuite bathrooms with hot/cold showers.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Rock Villa, Bentota. The two-bedroom Walauwa Suite is ideal for families and offers lots of private space, including a master bedroom with king-sized four poster beds and twin beds, a central living/dining area, a pantry, a TV corner and a long, furnished veranda with garden views. Kids under 6 stay for free.
Dine Dining at the Rock Villa is a casual affair with philosophy of ‘eat when and where you like’. Breakfasts range from continental fare to full English to Sri Lankan. Lunches are available all day and you will have a choice between couple of set menus for the evening meal. Expect daily changing 3-course menu of modern Chinese and Thai to western combinations, prepared with fresh seafood and local ingredients, and served in the spacious open-sided dining pavilion.
Relax Facilities at the Rock Villa in Bentota include a 15-metre swimming pool, surrounded with beautiful 2.5 acres of garden, fringed with coconut palms. Next to the pool is the pavilion where you can get; relaxing massages with prior notice or relax in hammock, strung between the trees in the garden. Other facilities include: a TV lounge, books and board games and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Experience Bentota is a small resort town known for its long Bentota Beach that stretches north. Guests at Rock Villa are well placed to explore this strip, known as Paradise Island that runs parallel to Bentota Lagoon. Coral-rich dive sites include Canoe Rock. Southeast is lakeside Lunuganga, the estate and gardens of architect Geoffrey Bawa. Venture inland to explore the rich palm-sprinkled tapestry of villages and Buddhist temples as well as the ancient Kahandavihara Temple.
Location Rock Villa is set back from the sea on the coast at Bentota, off the Galle road, south of Colombo on the west coast.
Getting there Fly with Sri Lankan Airlines to Colombo, followed by a 2-hour drive to the hotel.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. There are two monsoon seasons but they only bring rain to the west and south-west coasts from May to September; and the east coast and northern region between October and February. The rest of the year is sunny and dry but the months of December to April are probably the best time to visit. Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have an average temperature of 27°C.
Destination
Beaches, Sri Lanka
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