Stunning, tranquil lakeside villa 10 minutes from beach, Galle

The journey to Siyambala House does little to prepare you for what awaits. Driving down from Galle, with the lapping Indian Ocean by your side, it is clear you're in a special part of the world. But turn off the main road, over the railway track, down winding lanes and onto gravel tracks, and it’s not a matter of being far from the madding crowd anymore, but after a while you wonder if it still exists at all. Soon after that, you realise that you really don’t care either way…

Entering the house is, literally, an eye-opening experience. To the right, the dining area and veranda, ahead of you, the living room atrium; all around you, the lake. That we arrived just in time for sundowners and a magical sunset (they’re all magical) was just icing. The water at dusk is enchanting, the way it catches the fading light. Someone else mentioned the squadrons of bats (is that a better collective noun than “flock”?) and they truly are a sight to behold; don't be alarmed though, they fly their missions at high altitude…

None of the rooms would really be out of place in a high-end resort, while you’ll find the twin upstairs is great for kids. If there are any tiny quibbles – such as the water pressure being a little low on (rare) occasion, or the presence of lightning-fast geckos in your room, these simply reflect where you are and are hardly the fault of the house or the staff. Because the staff were great too. Always happy to help, unobtrusive yet always easily to hand, friendly and happy to talk (cricket being the cross-cultural ice-breaker), and happy to meet your every need. The manager of the property is a man who has more connections than the London Underground and can get things done far more effectively than Boris Johnson.

As for the food, well we ate like kings. The curries (the fish!), the vegetables (the eggplants, the beans, the onions and greens!), the salads, the chilies, the coconut sambal… Be sure to savour the local specialties; life has not been the same without my morning string hoppers since…

If you're new to Sri Lanka, I recommend you take a copy of Ondaatje’s Running in the Family… it will transport you back to a time and place, and the cinnamon oil factory at the end of Siyambala’s driveway will take on an even more pleasurable significance… Embrace Sri Lanka, embrace its beauty, embrace the people – and I promise it will all embrace you back, with interest.

And what an exquisite house to do it all from…

There's a moment you realise that this is the perfect place. Imagine a lake shaped like a vase. You're in a beautiful - and I mean beautiful - new house near the base of the vase. The sun sets down the lake, from top to bottom. And this is the moment. At 6pm every evening, the sun sets and the orange light plays out over the water, filling up the vase shape from top to bottom. Just at that moment, a flock (not sure if flock is the right word) of bats fly across the lake from the other side to above where you are, flying through the air, across the by-now red golden lake. It is the most magical sight and it's entirely befitting this gorgeous place. If you're looking here you'll already know Sri Lanka is lovely - but if you don't know that, take my word: it's lovely. The people are as warm as the air, it's picturesque and still reasonably cheap. This part of Sri Lanka is beautiful too - but you can look all that up. The house is completely gorgeous - lovely, calm and peaceful. If any of those last three words tick your box, then you're in for a treat. And I haven't even mentioned the infinity pool...

Just returned from holiday in Sri Lanka and we had a fantastic time at
Siyambala House, it was absolutely perfect. .The setting of the villa was amazing The pool and view were just stunning The housekeeper and the boys were brilliant they couldn't have been more helpful. Everyone was charming and helpful. . We will certainly recommend the villa to our friends.
Family Erckert July 2011