Kalundewa Retreat, Dambulla
Sri Lanka, Cultural Triangle

Surrounded by picturesque mountains and three charming lakes, Kalundewa Retreat is a private chalet and a perfect base for the Cultural Triangle.

The two-storey fully air-conditioned private villa has two double bedrooms and has been designed with luxurious comfort in mind. Each room has its own satellite plasma television with DVD and I-pod connection – in danger of being overlooked though, by the birdsong, the morning sun rising over the paddy fields and the peaceful fruit groves.

The chalet, which enjoys near-panoramic views of the calm lake and paddy, is accessible only by raft or footpath. It is fully staffed and meals prepared by your private chef can be enjoyed anywhere in the grounds or villa. The Sri Lankan ‘Rice and Curry’ is a must here and the ingredients are locally produced, with the rice and vegetables coming from the grounds of the retreat itself.

The villa offers the perfect base for exploring the local World Heritage Sights of the Dambulla Cave Temples, Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, as well as offering a couple of unknown treats such as a short walk from the chalet to an eternal spring – perfect for a relaxing bath in the crystal clear water after a long day’s sightseeing.

Villa - The 'Villa' is a similar concept to the 'holiday home' in Europe, with some very key differences. They are usually fully staffed with cooking and service provided for you. Staff will generally cook meals to your specification and purchase food and drink for you at cost price, making them excellent value. They are generally, but not always, pretty smart and luxurious too and feel in many ways like a small private hotel. Nonetheless, your villa is still effectively a home and therefore you cannot expect the same level of training, English speaking or slickness that you might expect from a hotel at a similar cost. As the owners are not generally holiday professionals we cannot guarantee the quality of a villa matches expectations in a way we can with hotels. That said, the personal local touch means villas are generally much more friendly and interactive than hotels and have much to recommend them. The privacy and space makes them wonderful for families and groups of friends.

Our rating system explained...

• Airport transfer
• Baths
• Birdwatching
• Dining Options
• Garden
• Hiking
• Local excursions
• Private Cook
• Tours of the estate.