Pooja Kanda, Koggala, Sri Lanka

Pooja Kanda is a magnificent two-storeyed villa that sits proudly atop a hill in Koggala, about a ten-minute drive from Galle, the historic Southern capital of Sri Lanka. The property was once the home of celebrated American interior designer Charles Hulse, and his personal attention in designing and building the house — from its commanding hilltop location to the intimate garden spaces and the arrangement of the bedroom suites — is evident throughout every corner of the estate.

Three of the five spacious, air-conditioned bedrooms have their own private sitting areas, each leading to a private balcony. The villa is positioned roughly a mile inland from some of the finest golden sandy beaches in the country, offering a quiet retreat with easy access to the coast.

Interiors and Living Spaces

Guests enter through a wide veranda that opens into spacious sitting rooms, a hall, and dining rooms furnished with ornately carved local antiques from the Dutch period. The pieces have been selected and arranged with care, lending the interiors a sense of warmth and historical character. Further inside, a TV room lined with settees provides a relaxed space for unwinding, while a cosy study offers the perfect setting for losing oneself in a good book.

The Pool and Natural Surroundings

A hidden rock terrace, reached by a bridge from the top floor, overlooks the medium-sized pool below. The pool itself is surrounded by a natural forest that borders the villa, giving swimmers the feeling of bathing within an unspoiled landscape. The property is described as completely eco-friendly, and the forested setting reinforces that commitment to the natural environment.

Facilities and Services

Pooja Kanda is well equipped for a comfortable extended stay. An in-house chef and steward are available at all times to cater to guests' culinary preferences, and food items can be delivered directly to the bungalow. Round-the-clock house help, iPod docking stations, and Wi-Fi web access are all provided. A trained babysitter and nanny service is also available for families travelling with young children.

The villa accommodates groups of up to eight people. Airport pickup and drop-off in a chauffeur-driven vehicle can be arranged, as can sightseeing and tours to nearby places of interest with a personal tour guide. Every guest is insured for the duration of their stay, though guests are expected to purchase their own food and beverages to be consumed on the premises.