Sanda Kirana Beach House in Galle, Sri Lanka

Sanda Kirana — literally meaning Moonbeams — is a four-bedroom beach house set just 5 kilometres from the historic Galle Fort, facing south-west across the Indian Ocean. Designed by a leading Australian architect, the property is framed by a large garden of coconut trees that slopes gently down to a beach said to feature in many a "paradise" brochure.

Guests enter through impressive double doors opening onto walled gardens, beyond which the breaking waves of the Indian Ocean unfold in an uninterrupted panorama. At the heart of the villa sits a large swimming pool furnished with colonial-style pieces, while a covered verandah overlooks the garden at the front of the house.

Accommodation

Bedrooms

The villa offers four bedrooms — three double and one twin. All beds are four-poster with fitted mosquito nets and are cooled by overhead fans. A large cot is available for small children and babies if required. The master bedroom opens onto a small private terrace where the sound of the surf drifts in through the night.

Bathrooms

Every bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom benefits from an additional outside shower enclosed within its own private garden area.

Living Spaces

Sitting Room

The sitting room is furnished with traditional Sri Lankan furniture and includes a small library, a CD player and satellite television — a comfortable retreat for quieter moments.

Dining Room

A large dining table sits between the swimming pool and the water garden, forming the centrepiece for formal meals. Come nightfall, the space is beautifully lit with the beach as its backdrop — an atmospheric setting for evening dining.

Staff and Meals

Sanda Kirana is looked after by a dedicated team: a cook, a housekeeper who also serves as assistant cook, a gardener and pool attendant, and a night watcher. The cook is happy to discuss meal preferences and will prepare both fabulous Sri Lankan curries and accomplished western dishes. He can also shop for all the necessary ingredients on behalf of guests, keeping a transparent account for their review. Accompanying him to the daily fish, fruit and vegetable markets is an experience well worth having at least once during a stay.