Pooja Kanda

9.3/10 over 9 reviews from 1 source(s)

5 5 10

from

USD 0

per night

Latest reviews

Average rating of 9.3/10 over 9 reviews from 1 source(s)
10/10
tripadvisor
janemuir51
janemuir51

Stayed: September 2018

Stunning property, setting and staff

We stayed here for a week with friends and were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived to the minute we left. Nothing was too much trouble for the delightful team of staff, Chaminda, Sunil & Kumudu. Not to mention Chef Sunanda and his assistant Gimhan who provided us with a wonderfully varied menu, all of it truly delicious. We had a few laughs with them too, usually at our attempts at Sinhala! The immaculate grounds and the tranquil tropical pool provide the perfect setting for total relaxation. I would thoroughly recommend and would love to return one day. Bohoma istuti!!
Stayed: September 2018
10/10
tripadvisor
Sophie B
Sophie B

Stayed: February 2018

Take us back!!!!

We've just returned from a 9 day trip to Pooja Kanda, and we absolutely loved it. High points - The location; just a five/ten minute tuk tuk ride to the beach, and a few shops, restaurants and an ATM. The villa itself is stunning, and with our bedroom on the first floor, waking up every morning to the sun rising (we have an 18 month old so no lie-ins!) was breathtaking. It stays cool in all the rooms from aircon, and the family spaces downstairs are perfect for dining and relaxing. The pool has stunning views too, and the kids loved it. The staff are lovely, we ate some fabulous food cooked by the chef, and it was never too much trouble asking for a coffee - or a gin and tonic :-) The rooms were cleaned daily, and they were all really friendly with the kids. Loku (manager) was around usually once a day to ask about local places to visit and we could text her to ask any questions if needed too. Points to note - Be wary of the pool area with young children; we have three under three and although there are gates around the pool, they had large enough gaps for little ones to climb through. It is quite isolated however, so with enough eyes on them, we didn't have any problems. Super markets - there wasn't a great amount of choice for toddler snacks, so if you need these, take enough from home before you arrive! The wine is relatively reasonable, but more than you'd pay at home in the UK. We paid around £12 for an average bottle, but the beer is really cheap. We would highly recommend POOJA KANDA, and I would definitely return again.
Stayed: February 2018
10/10
tripadvisor
Cakes35
Cakes35

Stayed: February 2017

Very relaxing

We had a lovely family reunion at Pooja Kanda. The staff were all really lovely and the chef was very accommodating with various requests for different dietary requirements (no dairy, no meat etc). The villa itself is in a peaceful location with monkeys in the trees and only a 15 or so minute walk to the beach. The pool was small, but big enough to keep our little ones entertained. I would recommend the bike tour we did in the area through the paddy fields too. All in all a great choice for a stay in the area.
Stayed: February 2017
10/10
tripadvisor
GillsScotts
GillsScotts

Stayed: October 2016, traveled with family

Magical memories to be made here

We stayed for 10 days out of season, late October...but no worries. If you want to see some of the real Sri Lanka, And stay in a place where you are warmly welcomed, where nothing is too much for any of the happy, friendly staff who are there when you need them, but give you the space to relax and enjoy the wonderful villa and grounds...this is the place. The Vila is situated a short walk from habaraduwa...or take a tuk tuk, you will meet wild life and friendly local villagers....and hardly any tourists. We were there with our family to celebrate 30 years of marriage...and the villa management arranged fireworks, Sri Lankan dancers, fire eaters, and laid on a fantastic buffet for our special day, the villa had been decorated wow! there is only one criticism, but understand as I write this the pool is being totally renovated. THANKYOU everyone at Pooja kanda, but special thanks to Loku, Sarangdu, and Sunil for making our stay soooo special.
Stayed: October 2016, traveled with family
10/10
tripadvisor
Tim W
Tim W

Stayed: October 2016, traveled with friends

Nothing but the best at Pooja Kanda – The Great Gatsby would be proud!

Standing on top of the hill towering over its neighbours, Pooja Kanda truly is an impressive sight as you come up to the entrance! We were greeted by the Villa Manager Rob, an engaging chap with a long history in the region, who was more than happy to take us through all of the facilities of this glorious mansion in a whirlwind tour showcasing the amazing style and decadence that he has somehow managed to keep looking beautiful and fresh throughout the property. The bold white pillars, the open-space living, lounge and dining area design, the carefully-chosen artworks and furnishings, as well as the endless side rooms with different spaces to be discovered everywhere for you to spend time in and relax are all truly remarkable and give the residence almost its own personality. We ate like kings throughout our stay (best chicken curry you can find in Sri Lanka!), and were always served with a smile by the attentive staff. Sri Lanka is fast becoming known for hidden gems like this, and I daresay Pooja Kanda is one of the prime examples of villas done well in the entire country. I only wish we had more time there! Will definitely come back again.
Stayed: October 2016, traveled with friends

Facilities

Available for longterm
Available for weddings
Suitable for children
Suitable for elderly
Suitable for wheelchairs
Smoking allowed
Pets allowed
Security
Maid
Chef
Swimming pool
Internet/Wifi

Bedroom facilities

  • Personal safe
  • TV
  • Sound system
  • Baby cot
  • Air conditioning
  • iPod dock
  • King Size bed
  • Queen Size bed
  • DVD player
  • Satellite TV

Bathroom facilities

  • Bath tub
  • En-suite bathroom

Business facilities

  • Telephone
  • Local mobile phone or card available

Dining facilities

  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Blender

Living facilities

  • Sofabed
  • Lounge seating
  • Ceiling fans

Outdoor facilities

  • Garden
  • Parking available
  • Terrace
  • Sun beds / chairs
  • BBQ / Bar area

Location

Located just inland from Koggala. The beaches of the southern region are only a short drive away. Other attractions in the Koggala area include the lagoon, the Martin Wickeramasinghe Museum, a turtle hatchery, spice gardens and a tea factory. Galle and its historic Fort are only a 20 minute drive away. Distance from Colombo; four hours by car, one hour by air.

Rates

Include all taxes - No booking fees

Rates Include

* Daily Rates are inclusive of all taxes and service charge.
* Discounted rates for stays of 14+ nights
* Daily breakfast
* Complimentary Wifi

Rates Exclude

* Provisioning costs
* Tour & activity reservations & coordination
* Spa treatments
* Laundry

Cancellation Policy

If the Guest wishes to cancel a confirmed booking, written notice of cancellation must be sent to the manager. All cancellation notices received by the manager will be acknowledged in writing. It is strongly recommended that the Guest and all members of the Guest's party purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Cancellation of a booking includes but is not limited to:
* Cancellation of one or more days of a booking.
* An amendment of a booking so that none of the dates of the booking once amended fall within the same dates that originally constituted the booking.
* Failure of all Guests to provide the required documentation on arrival (eg. Passports or suitable identification).
* Attempt by the Guest, their party or visitors to hold an event at the Property in breach of these Terms and Conditions or breach of any rules applicable to the Guests chosen Property.

In the event that the Guest cancels a confirmed booking, the following cancellation fees will generally apply:
* 20% of the total rental amount will be forfeited if the cancellation is made more than 60 days before the start of the rental period.
* 50% of the total rental amount will be forfeited if the cancellation is made between 30 and 60 days before the start of the rental period.
* 100% of the total rental amount will be forfeited if the cancellation is made between 1 and 29 days before the start of the rental period.

The applicable amount will be deducted from the deposit and moneys paid, and the manager will refund any remaining balance to the Guest.

Please note that these cancellation terms apply for regular booking periods. Special cancellation terms may apply for peak/high seasons and will be stated in the Property description, booking confirmation or reservation voucher. If the information in any of these is inconsistent, the most recently issued terms will prevail.

Payment Terms

Payment:
When the Guest makes a booking request, the Guest must make the appropriate deposit payment to EH within 5 working days of availability confirmation. If the required deposit payment is not received within the 5 working day period, EH reserves the right to void the Guest’s booking request. The following deposit payment applicable to most villas (see individual villa terms for full details) must be received by EH:
For villas in Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka:
For rentals beginning more than 75 days after the date of the booking request – a deposit of 20% of the total rental amount is payable For rentals beginning 75 days or less after the date of the booking request – the total rental amount is payable as a deposit
Where a 20% deposit applies to the booking, the Guest must pay the remaining 80% balance not less than 75 days before the scheduled arrival date.
For all other countries:
For rentals beginning more than 60 days after the date of the booking request – a deposit of 50% of the total rental amount is payable For rentals beginning 60 days or less after the date of the booking request – the total rental amount is payable as a deposit
Where a 50% deposit applies to the booking, the Guest must pay the remaining 50% balance not less than 60 days before the scheduled arrival date.

Description

Majestic home with pool encircled with tropical gardens

Previously the home of celebrated American socialite, writer and interior designer Charles Hulse, Pooja Kanda sits majestically atop a small rise encircled by greenery, tropical flowers and hardwood trees. Located just inland from Koggala, Hulse personally designed the four bedroom house and gardens himself and lived here enjoying its peace and tranquillity for many years before moving to Galle.

The house is accessed by a private driveway that eventually creeps up to the summit of the hill, hiding it from anyone's view. A wide pillared verandah leads from the garden through tall arched doors to a series of sitting and dining rooms decorated with Dutch period furniture and antiques as well as a cosy TV room. On the first floor there are three en-suite bedrooms that open onto a shared wrap-around balcony which overlooks the garden.

The fourth bedroom is annexed from the main house while a back verandah leads to a small green swimming pool built into the side of the hill. Overlooked by verdant jungle where birds and monkeys can often be spotted between the trees, it is a particularly peaceful place to sit during the day. There are many other intimate spots for contemplation; a bridge from the first floor of the house leads to a hidden rock terrace from where you can quietly ponder the view as you overlook the pool and tropical garden.

The house is fully staffed with a steward and an experienced chef, while a nanny can also be arranged for babysitting on request. While the house offers many quiet places to sit, read and relax, the beaches of the southern region are only a short drive away. Other attractions in the Koggala area include the lagoon, the Martin Wickeramasinghe Museum, a turtle hatchery, spice gardens and a tea factory. Galle and its historic Fort are only a 20 minute drive away.