Villa Matara Sri Lanka

A private family-owned villa located in the south of Sri Lanka. The beachfront villa and surrounding tropical gardens are located beside the Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary in the southern region of Sri Lanka; 15 kilometres from Tangalle.
Explore Sri Lanka’s most luxurious privately owned villa. The villa is located within 23 acres of landscaped tropical gardens along the Indian Ocean.
Villa Matara offers five beautiful suites in the main villa. Two cabana suites are located in the privacy of the property’s gardens. It has extensive facilities for both activity and regeneration, including a 30-metre infinity pool, tennis court, spa and library. Our team can help you organise a range of cultural and wildlife excursions and will ensure that you have a relaxing and carefree stay.
With the privacy afforded by 23 acres of private residence, the villa’s open plan configuration provides the luxury of space without diminishing the feeling of intimacy. The restorative beauty of the surroundings are suffused throughout the living spaces.
For study or quiet reflection, there is an air-conditioned library and a large relaxation space on the first floor.
The villa is named for the bright yellow Cassea-Auriculata flower indigenous to this region of Sri Lanka. The flower, seed and root of this remarkable tree have long been used for their medicinal properties. Cassea-Auriculata is a hardy tree that blossoms year-round, even during the long dry season when water is in scarce supply.
We have a resident team of 18 staff including our General Manager, two chefs, and a retinue of service, room and garden personnel.
Known in ancient times as Lanka – ‘the Resplendent Land’ – the island nation of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the Indian Ocean, boasts a unique combination of natural beauty, biodiversity and a wealth of precious stones. Villa Matara is located 15km south of Tangalle. It is a four-hour drive from Columbo airport and 2 hours from Galle. The villa is 5 kms/10 minutes off the A2 Highway at the 210 km mark (from Colombo city centre) just beyond Tangalle. It is less than 4 hours by car from Colombo Airport and less than 2 hours from Galle.
Sri Lanka’s seasons are typically broken down into wet and dry. Villa Matara is located on the southern coast in a dry zone and tends to receive significantly less rainfall than the rest of the island. The main tourist seasons are during the finest weather, which runs from November through April, and during the drier months, which lasts from June to September. The calm December waters are most suitable for diving and snorkelling. Sri Lanka is located 6 degrees above the equator, which means that we have 12 hours of sunshine every day. During this time, we generally anticipate temperatures up to and in excess of 30C.
Sri Lankan cuisine remains relatively undiscovered. Meals are based around rice, curry and breads, and are accompanied by sambols (side dishes). While Sri Lankan cuisine tends to be spicy, the chili heat can be tempered to suit the individual palates of our guests. Our chefs are equally comfortable preparing a range of contemporary international cuisines from both the East and the West. With fresh produce sourced daily, guests are offered the flexibility to sample the full range of Sri Lanka’s larder. For the immersive culinary experience, guests are invited to join the chefs on their daily rounds at the local markets in Tangalle before returning home for a cooking lesson.
We pride ourselves on the locally sourced ingredients that are expertly prepared by our resident chefs. Where possible we use vegetables from our own garden and fresh fish from the local harbour. Our chefs are equally comfortable preparing a range of contemporary international cuisines. Vegetarian meals and other special dietary requirements can be accommodated on request.
Children of all ages are welcome at Villa Matara. Cots can be provided on request. We strongly advise guests not to swim out into the ocean at any time of year due to the strong currents. For those who wish to swim in the ocean, we recommend visiting the nearby bays in Tangalle. Personal laundry can be arranged upon request.
We are located within the dry zone of Sri Lanka where water conservation is of the utmost importance. With this in mind, we change bed linen and towels every third day. Should you require fresh towels or linen more frequently, please do not hesitate to ask. Air conditioning is available within all of the bedrooms and throughout the villa. Our massage pavilion is located next to the coconut grove. Guests can enjoy a range of treatments to the sound of the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean. Spa treatments are also available within the privacy of your own suite.
We have 24-hour security at Villa Matara. Additional gratuity is not required. There is a 10% service charge which is distributed to all of the staff. We have a home cinema with a wide selection of DVDs and games consoles. We have a list of recommended restaurants and hotels for any guest who might wish to explore further. We are happy to arrange reservations and transportation.
Sri Lanka has two national languages, Sinhala and Tamil. Most locals speak English, particularly in tourist areas. Please be aware that this predominately Buddhist country is conservative by western standards. Legs, shoulders and upper arms need to be covered when visiting places of worship. Sri Lanka is approximately 70% Buddhist, 12.6% Hindu, 9.7% Muslim and 7.6% Christian.
The national currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (SKR). USD, GBP, EUR as well as traveller’s cheques are easily exchangeable in the bank branches located in both Tangalle and Ambalantotha.
International dialing code: +94 | Electricity 220-240 V | Plugs: Sri Lanka uses the standard British three-pin rectangular plugs.
Amenities
30-metre infinity pool with built in LED lighting.
Sri Lanka Matara Villa luxury beach rental boutique Tangalle tennis court with rofessional quality TRU-FLEX hard court. Floodlights for evening play. Rackets available.
Spa.
Treatments available upon request from a qualified therapist in our massage pavilion.
Home Cinema
HD projector. Bose surround sound. DVD collection (classic and contemporary). PlayStation4 and Nintendo Switch. Chess and a wide selection board games.
Kitchen and Dining room.
Al-fresco Dining Pavilion.
Pavilion Bar.
Open living room.
Library.
Beach
The property features 400 metres of unblemished beach front. Watch the local fishermen bring in their catch of the day.
Gardens
With several hundred trees across the grounds, the gardens showcase the fertility of the island’s flora. Oranges, bananas, wood apples, wild tamarind, dragon fruit, cinnamon, papaya, mango are cultivated. Coconuts are harvested daily from our coconut grove.
Activities
Whale and Dolphin Watching
A few miles off the jungled coast of Mirissa reside some of the sea’s most elusive creatures. Blue whales, sperm whales, orcas and spinner dolphins traverse these waters between October and April.
90 minute drive.
Turtle Conservation
Of seven turtle species, five live in Asian waters and they all come to nest at Rekawa beach. Join the Turtle Conservation Project’s “turtle watch” which oversees nesting and safe sea-return of hatchlings.
Yala and Udawalawe National Parks
Just south of the Central Highlands lie Yala and Udawalawe national parks. Yala is the island’s biggest park and has the highest density of leopards in the world. These predators live among sloth bear, Sāmbhar, spotted deer, ant-eater, and civet cats. Udawalawe is famed for its herd of over 500 elephants, who roam the park’s grasslands. Yala 120 minute drive; Udawalawe 90 minute drive.
Kataragama Temple
Along with Adam’s Peak, Kataragama is the most important religious pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka and is a holy place for all religious denominations. In July and August, the Kataragama festival draws thousands of devotees who make the pilgrimage over a two-week period. 60 minute drive.
Galle Fort
Originally built by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch, Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site that contains some of Sri Lanka’s most arresting architecture. Spice markets, boutiques and historical landmarks abound in this cultural melting pot. 120 minute drive.
Surfing, Scuba, Snorkelling
The numerous surf breaks along the South Coast are among the best in the region, with spots nearby to suit all abilities. For beginners, an instructor can be arranged in Hiriketiya.
The closest PADI-qualified dive school is in Dickwella. Diving lessons and snorkelling excursions are available to explore local bays and reefs. Hiriketiya 45 minute drive; Dickwella 60 miute drive.
Can accommodate up to 14 people.