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From the verandah of your private villa, it might seem like you're in the middle of the jungle with swathes of lush trees as far as the eye can see. Kahanda Kanda happens to sit in a 12-acre tea estate, which you can saunter through to your heart's content - you may even spot chattering monkeys and a peacock in full colour. Begin your mornings with a spot of yoga at the secluded pavilion, enjoy meals under an ancient mango tree and start your evenings with the resort's signature cocktail - rum, lychee and passion fruit. After enjoying the views at Kahanda, venture out to see the plentiful beaches nearby and float past fishermen on Lake Koggala.
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Punctuated by bright yellow walls, the garden has a central lily pond and on the lawns is an infinity pool overlooking pockets of tea trees. The central dining pavilion serves a range of fusion dishes, Thai cuisine and those famous Sri Lankan curries. Jutting out above the treeline, is a glass-sided extension where you can enjoy a more private meal and gourmet dinners can be set up in the garden. If you fancy picking up some extra skills in the kitchen, join a cooking class where you'll learn much-loved family recipes.
Kahanda Kanda has 12 uniquely-designed villas, each with views over palm-speckled forest, groves of tea and the shining Lake Koggala from the veranda. Named after everything from peacocks to hibiscus, the villas come in various shades and styles including the Dubu villa imported from Java and villas designed like an English country house. Decorated in floral prints and antiques, each comes with a king-size canopy bed (covered with Egyptian cotton sheets no less), a mini bar and open-air bathroom (often with an outdoor shower). Some villas also have a lap pool, library or private garden.
Head out onto Lake Koggala for a boat trip past scenes of fishermen pulling up their nets and birds flitting between the trees. Stop off at a local cinnamon farm to learn how this quintessential Sri Lankan spice is produced or pay a visit to the overgrown Talathuduwa Temple Island. Learn to surf at the famous Weligama Bay or enjoy a cycle around nearby rice paddies before stopping at Wijaya Beach for a dip in the sea and a cocktail.
The feeling of being completely removed from busy days and crowded cities - you could hear a butterfly go past at Kahanda.
With an added dose of privacy and striking views over the lake, booking a villa with a private infinity pool is definitely worth it.
Quite a few villas have outdoor showers, which can lose a few relaxation points thanks to visiting insects.
The Time + Tide Foundation is dedicated to preserving natural environments and supporting nearby communities, and guests contribute to sustainability purely by visiting their hotels. The foundation focuses on community and school-based learning, female empowerment, health, and wildlife conservation. Through initiatives like student sponsorship, it aims to ensure the long-term prosperity of wildlife economies and foster positive social change in Time + Tide communities.
A contribution of $10 per guest, which is included in the nightly rate, goes towards the above goals.
A heady, cinnamon-scented lake near Galle where modern stresses take a firm back seat.
