Every meal was really delicious. we really enjoyed our stay and looking forward to come back.
The rooms, views, and the services are so good. we would like to go back again for next time.
10/10 on Booking.comMing and colleagues. Feb. 2023Ming-hsiu. Taiwan. Feb 2023
Seaheart is a beautiful place built on Lake Koggala just outside Galle.
>> It is its own little Shangri La. Once you arrive you’ll want to change all your travel plans! >> Yes it is nice to summon a tuk tuk and go shopping in Galle or head out for a beachside walk and meal but it’s even better to get back to Seaheart and look out over the serenity and calm of the lake. That is after you’ve had a long drift in the infinity pool gazing aimlessly up at the ancient vines that hang down from the trees above. Quite magical. >> Seaheart sits gently between jungle and lake thus providing an endless parade of wildlife. There are discreet monkeys who cavort within range of the house but don’t intrude, plenty of monitor lizards who crash about below the house en route to the lake and there’s a charming cockerel who has the decency to keep his calls to civilised hours plus every other bird you can think of from eagles to egrets. >> There are supposed to be crocodiles in the lake but we never spotted one. Just the motor free fishing boats trawling in search of tomorrow’s supper. >> >> The house is very well managed by Vijitha and Chandra who keeps it spotlessly clean and grows fresh vegetables in the exquisite gardens. Then there is the chef, Ranga, who is brilliantly inventive. You can ask Ranga for anything you fancy or just leave it to his imagination to come up with wonderful combinations of local produce while spicing them to your taste. Fortunately the Indian Ocean is still an abundant source of fish of all kinds. >> >> The layout of the house was specially designed to cope with varying numbers of guests. There are two full living areas on separate floors should you be sharing with others and a choice of four bedrooms with their own bathrooms. The house is on a substantial estate of four other magnificent houses. There are permanent security guards who are there for reassurance rather than necessity as the local villagers are all friends of the Seaheart owners and very welcoming people. >> >> During our stay we went on a weeks tour of the sites in the magic triangle with Randeepa, a young, enthusiastic local guide/ driver which was all very magnificent but we were very glad to get back to Seaheart and a cold beer at sundown followed by one of Ranga’s extensive and delicate creations . >> Can’t wait to return. >> >> Michael. London. Feb 2023Michael. UK. Feb. 2023
Arriving from a cold and grey winter in the north to a warm, sunny welcoming and smiling Sri Lanka was absolute bliss. After a two hour swift and smooth drive from Colombo, arriving at Seaheart and its surrounding gardens took my breath away. Entering this magnificent villa overlooking Koggala lake was magical. The gardens exquisitely landscaped with heaps of flowering trees, shrubs and borders; the infinity pool, frequently used from early morning to swims at sun set with glorious pink skies as a backdrop was like a balm for a cold Swedish soul.The house itself is beautifully furnished and the beds and bedrooms utterly comfortable. It was the first time we experienced sleeping in hemp linen, delicious! To keep us cool at night we had both air conditioning as well as ceiling fans to choose from and personally the fans were sufficiently effective for us. The villa is ample, very spacious and caters for guests with different interests or ages without imposing on each other. We had such lovely weather, so lounging outdoors was our choice most of the time. The villa itself is run by three staff all very friendly discreet and helpful. Helping out with anything from laundry to organising tuk-tuks for transportation to nearby Galle and beach side restaurants. Chef Ranga’s delicious cooking catered for all our dietary requirements, spicy, not so spicy, vegetarian, pescatarian, etc. We will not forget his mango curry nor his garlic prawns (from Koggala lake!). Chandra spotlessly looked after the house and laundry, and Vijitha the house manager kept the house and garden in tip top shape.We must also mention the fantastic wildlife on this beautiful estate and the care the owners of Seaheart have taken to preserve the habitat is second to none. Eagles soaring above us, fruit bats as night fell, monkeys elegantly swinging from branch to branch in the distance, squirrels busying themselves and the friendly clumsy monitor swinging its’ tail. What a treat it has been, we will soon come again!Kerstin, SwedenKerstin from Sweden. Jan. 2023
The villa is spacious and very well appointed. The house manager and chef, Pethum, was very helpful and an excellent chef. I recommend his prawn dishes but he really came into his own when my mother (in her late 70s) had a possible cardiac event arranging an immediate visit from a houseman at the Galle hospital and then helping us navigate our way round the hospital in Galle. We stayed 10 nights and saw most of the local sights. The monsoon was in full swing in late July and this meant that lounging round the pool was rarely an option but when the sun is out it is a beautiful spot. It is very private and a much better option than the rather impersonal 5 star hotels on the beach side of the lake
Nick H and family from England, Customer
What a fantastic trip – Gorgeous villa, staff, and stay! We just returned from a truly memorable trip to the Lake Koggala House. Our group of 4 couples arrived after Christmas to celebrate our friends’ wedding and New Year’s festivities. The villa exceeded our already high expectations. What a treat! It is even more beautiful and immaculate than the photos. The bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious and beautifully designed. There are many sitting areas including a spacious air-conditioned movie room/ living room. The views are amazing! Big windows, bedroom terraces, and open spaces allow guests to see plenty of scenery. We’ve stayed in some lovely places, but this house blew us away. The pool overlooks the lake and a sprawling, well-kept garden….(more)
Lori from Manila