Tri

The natural soundscape of the forest around Sri Lanka's Lake Koggala - the chirps of cicadas and squawks of koel birds - is broken by the low thrum of a propeller engine. From the terrace of Tri, cocktail in hand, we have the perfect spot to watch the twice-daily seaplane make its descent and land on the bottle-green water's surface as it arrives from Colombo. A boat is quickly despatched to deliver any Tri residents to its private jetty.

Accommodation

On design and comfort, our room is unimpeachable. Vines drape from the roof's edge, giving the window shelter from the full glare of the sun, and the bed is all crisp white sheets and abundant pillows. The walls soar to a ceiling 20ft above, the bathroom suite is spacious, and the two balconies have lake views. But, our stay is somewhat marred by faulty outdoor electrics. The pool lights fail to work, precluding the starlit dip and nightcap we have planned on our first night. By the end of our stay, the whole system, including filtration, has gone down and the pool quickly becomes grimy and stagnant. But our visit is only a couple of weeks after the official opening, so hopefully this can be put down to teething problems.

Facilities

Most of the rooms are set down discrete staircases from the curling path and come with lake views. Three, including ours, have a private pool. Sitting beside it, looking up at the stars, smeared thick as a balm on the night sky, gives the sublime experience of utter seclusion. Elsewhere,a three-storey tower provides more affordable rooms, topped by a roof terrace where we take sundowners on our first night. The glass, wood and stone box that holds a library and treatment rooms is the most impressive building of all. It's here that we enjoy an ayurvedic massage, and yoga in the top-floor open-air studio.

Things to do

From our position on Koggala Lake we are well placed to provide land and lake based experiences that will enhance your appreciation of this verdant and beautiful part of Sri Lanka.

There are some beautiful trails to discover from Tri. Just head out from our gate and follow your nose for some free-wheeling exploration of the countryside. We can also provide guides for some longer rides to the southern coast.

Sarath and his family have been growing cinnamon, as well as other fruits, vegetable and spices, on their island small holding for 3 generations now. We cross the lake to his home in our dhoni boat and sit and drink cinnamon tea while he and his wife demonstrate how this highly sought-after spice is produced. Combine this with a leisurely, scenic lake ride taking in the islands and wide diversity of flora and fauna on the lake.

Learn to cook the Sri Lankan way. Spend a couple of hours with one of our local chefs discovering the secret world of Sri Lankan curries. Get involved, learn about the spices, local ingredients (some of which grow in our gardens), and cook with clay pots. You will be cooking your own lunch so make sure you follow chef’s advice!

From Mirissa to the east to Unawatuna to the west, there are a large number of beaches that are accessible from Tri, all with different attributes. Let us know what it is you are looking for and we can recommend the best one for you.

The unique fort at Galle is a fascinating oddity in Sri Lanka. Dating to the time of the Dutch occupation this UNESCO Heritage protected site has a very cosmopolitan atmosphere with its mix of architecture and narrow lanes and vast granite ramparts. Great to explore on one’s own or a guide can be arranged to show you around and recount the history. There are a wide range of boutique clothing stores, jewellery shops and all manner of cafés tucked away. We are happy to provide you with a list of our favourites!

For a fun and quirky distraction, enjoy a round of 9 at the Sri Lankan Air Force base on Koggala Lake. We guarantee this will be a unique experience!

The estate at Handanugoda is a lowland plantation about 20mins from Tri and perhaps the closest plantation to the ocean. Apart from producing a fine range of black and green teas they are famed for introducing white, or silver, teas according to the ancient methods employed by the imperial courts in China. It is a fully operating estate with its own factory. A fascinating glimpse of tea production.

December to April is the best time to see these majestic creatures. Nowhere in the World is it possible to see blue whales so close to the shore. Guests will also be able to see spinner and bottlenose dolphins, and turtles in their natural environment. At Tri, enjoy the experience in the comfort of your own private boat, away from the hustle and bustle of overcrowded public tours.

Location

Tri Lanka is a 165km from Colombo International Airport.