The Albatross, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Tucked within the Victoria Golf Complex on the slopes of "Coconut Hill," The Albatross is a boutique holiday villa designed with golfing enthusiasts in mind, while equally welcoming families and both local and foreign travellers. Situated roughly half an hour's drive from Kandy town, the property combines the calm of the Kandyan hill country with easy access to the Victoria Golf Club, making it a considered choice for those who want comfort alongside a round of golf.

From almost every vantage point at The Albatross, guests enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Kandyan hills — a landscape shaped by mountain ranges and reservoir waterways that give the area much of its character.

Getting There

The drive from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake takes approximately three and a half to four hours. From Colombo, guests can travel by hired vehicle, rented car, or public transport; intercity buses and trains run regular services to and from Kandy on a daily basis.

Accommodation

The villa currently offers five elegantly furnished, air-conditioned guestrooms, each with attached toilet facilities and views that capture the magnificence of the surrounding landscape. Rooms are available in single, double, or triple occupancy, accommodating up to fifteen adults in total. Two room categories are available: Luxury and Deluxe.

• Luxury rooms — named "Hole in" and "Eagle" — include satellite television and private dining beside Albatross Falls.
• Deluxe rooms — named "Birdie," "Par," and "Bogey" — offer comfortable, well-appointed surroundings.

Dining

The Diners Deck provides an ideal setting for fine dining, with both a set menu and an à la carte selection accompanied by a good range of wines. The head chef is known for gourmet specialities and tableside cooking. The lounge and dining area opens onto a tufted viewing deck, with a separate space for barbecues and alfresco meals.

Facilities

A well-designed outdoor swimming pool comes with a jacuzzi and a sunbathing deck overlooking the scenic surroundings. For relaxation, the villa houses a steam and sauna room as well as a massage room where a masseur is available at all times. The upper-deck lounge is equipped with satellite television including Star TV packages and a DVD/VCR player. Indoor games are also on hand, and golf can be arranged through the Victoria Golf Club. Activities such as tennis, badminton, horse riding, pony rides, and bird-watching tours can be organised on request.

Scenery and Excursions

From the villa, guests can look out over a range of mountains including Corbett's Gap, Hunasgiriya, the Knuckles Range, Hantane, and Bambaragala. On a clear morning, the Pidurutalagala peak — Sri Lanka's highest peak — is also visible. The Victoria Dam and its waterways surround the golfing complex, with a great part of the course stretching along the base of Coconut Hill.

Within less than an hour's drive, guests can reach the historical city of Kandy with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Kandy Lake, the Victoria Dam, an ancient rock temple, and a meditation centre. A two-hour drive leads to the Wasgamuwa National Park or the Knuckles mountain range, where the wilderness of the island opens up considerably.