Malgedara Villa, Galle, Sri Lanka

Malgedara is a privately situated villa near Koggala Lake, in the friendly village of Kathaluwa on Sri Lanka's southern coast. The lake itself is a beautiful, bird-rich setting, well suited to canoe rides around its several islands — the most popular of which is Bird Island. From this peaceful base, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort is approximately 20 minutes' drive away, at a distance of around 10 km.

The villa's position makes it well placed for a leisurely stroll to the lake, a short tuk-tuk ride to the beach, or a longer excursion to Galle Fort. Several well-known beaches lie along the stretch between Koggala and Galle Fort: Koggala beach at roughly 3 km, Talpe beach at around 4 km, and the better-known Unawatuna beach at approximately 6 km.

Dining at Malgedara

The villa has a dedicated chef who is available to cook on a fully catered or semi-catered basis. The Malgedara menu features dishes including crab, king prawns, and lobster caught fresh each morning from the shores of the nearby Indian Ocean. For those who prefer to eat out, a range of restaurants can be found between Koggala and Galle town, in settings by the beach or along country roads.

Accommodation

The villa comprises two bedrooms within the main part of the house and two guest rooms to the rear, connected by a small covered courtyard. All four bedrooms are furnished with large four-poster teak beds, mosquito nets, Indian cotton bedding, air conditioning, fans, and wooden shutters that can be opened to let in fresh air and views of the surrounding tropical garden.

Master bedrooms 1 and 2 each feature king-size beds and views to the side of the garden. Guest room 1 has its own private courtyard and looks out to the front of the garden. Guest room 2 is a larger triple room with an ensuite bathroom and a separate entrance leading to the back garden — making it well suited to families, with a double bed and a single bed arranged for parents and children together.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms throughout Malgedara are described as spacious, clean, and modern. All showers provide hot water, and towels are supplied. The Master 1 bathroom looks out to the garden, offering a pleasant backdrop of birdsong and swaying palms. The Guest 1 bathroom is the largest of the four and is positioned just opposite its bedroom. The Guest 2 ensuite features a double sink, a generous shower area, and an indoor garden element that gives it a spa-like character. Light shades sourced from the Galle Fort museum add a distinctive touch of character to the house.

A housekeeper attends to the rooms daily, turning down the beds each evening and closing the shutters at dusk to ensure a comfortable night's rest. For guests wishing to venture further afield — to see elephants or visit tea estates — transport and guide arrangements can be organised on request.