Makuludola Bungalow

Description

ABOUT US

You can book individual rooms at US dollars 150/= per day with complimentary breakfast for two adults. Bookings over 14 nights will receive generous discounts and bookings over 07 nights will also be considered for discounts on case by case basis. The Bungalow at Makuludola Estate, inland from Matara on the south coast, is set on a hill 270 feet above sea level overlooking our cinnamon and rubber plantation and villagers’ paddy fields. It is newly built to a design by acclaimed Sri Lankan architect, C Anjalendran, as home for myself, my wife and daughters. Since I am an international civil servant currently posted to Afghanistan and often away, we have decided to open The Bungalow to visitors under Sri Lankan Tourism’s “Homestay” scheme.

“Homestay” is a scheme monitored by Sri Lankan Tourism to encourage “local residents to open their home to paying guests on a bed & breakfast basis enabling tourists to live in a homely environment and to experience the local customs and traditions.”

At The Bungalow, guests are welcomed by my wife and staff and, when I am in residence, are invited to join us for meals and fellowship. Reservations must be made in advance and, to preserve our home’s exclusivity for our guests,
walk-in visitors are not encouraged

My aim is for guests to experience the gracious hospitality typical of plantation bungalows in an exclusive atmosphere on a private estate, undisturbed by public intrusion, in natural surroundings with breath-taking views of the surrounding hills and forests.

My wife and I look forward to welcoming you to stay in our home.

THE BUNGALOW

Makuludola Estate was purchased by my great grandmother Ms Sofaya Magline Abeyasuriya in 1906 from the British government. A deed in English granting us the mining rights on the Estate to minerals including gold was issued in 1935 under the authority of His Majesty King George V. More than 50 acres in area, the Estate is now planted with cinnamon and rubber.

After many years in planning, a new bungalow has been built into the side of a hill overlooking the cinnamon fields to a design and supervision by C Anjalendran, formerly an associate of the iconic Sri Lankan architect, the late Geoffrey Bawa. The Bungalow is spacious and open in character, with broad, granite-paved verandas and steps, high timber ceilings, teak furniture, and has a stunning view of the surrounding countryside.

Entrance is from the car park forecourt up granite steps to the south-facing veranda where the glistening blue of our infinity swimming pool contrasts with the verdant surroundings of cinnamon bushes, forest and hills. Guests are greeted with a welcome freshly squeezed fruit drink to sip while gazing at the view and hearing wild peacocks cry.

The veranda runs the width of the main reception area of lounge with sofas and armchairs and its adjoining dining area where a solid slab of mara timber forms a dining table that seats twelve. Beyond is the garden courtyard with a library and guest rooms on the west and east sides. A back interior veranda with wrought iron sliding gates and ancient Indian swing is a private area for relaxation.

ACCOMMODATION

Bedroom #1
At the eastern side of the interior courtyard, the bedroom #1 has a view of the eastern hills and sunrise. The beds have top quality cotton sheets, a brocade cover and comfortable pillows. There are two chairs and two bedside tables with flat screen channel television and a direct dial telephone. The bathroom is compact with hot water rain shower and plenty of towels.

Bedroom #2
This large bedroom is at the northwest corner of the bungalow, protected from the elements by the cutting in the embracing hillside, with windows but no view. There is a side entrance by a door from the side patio and a main entrance to the bedroom from the bungalow’s back veranda. The bedroom is furnished with cupboards and drawers under a counter top of teak, as well as two almirahs. The bed is king-sized with quality cotton sheets, a brocade cover and comfortable pillows. There are two chairs and two bedside tables with flat screen channel television and a direct dial telephone. The bathroom is large with hot water rain shower and plenty of towels.

Twin Bedded Room #3
A bedroom with twin beds with access from the side patio is opposite the bedroom #2. There are spectacular views of the sunset from the window. The beds have top quality cotton sheets, a brocade cover and comfortable pillows. There are two chairs and two bedside tables with flat screen channel television and a direct dial telephone. The bathroom is compact with hot water rain shower and plenty of towels.

DINING

A full Sri Lankan or Continental Breakfast of each guest’s choice is complimentary, served at whatever time required on the poolside veranda or in the dining room. Tea and genuine Italian coffee from a state-of-the art especially imported, fully automated Italian Coffee machine (Espresso, Cappuccino, Macchiato and Latte) are served on request at an extra charge.

Other meals, snacks and soft drinks can be selected at reasonable prices from the cook’s menu but out of respect for the ancient sanctity of the area, we do not cook or serve beef or pork.

Non-resident guests are welcome to try our plantation cuisine when there are no resident guests, but reservations must be made in advance.

We do not sell alcoholic beverages in The Bungalow and no corkage is charged on guest’s own supplies. Transport can be hired for guests to purchase liquor from Cargills in Matara or from the Wine Stores at Telijjawila.


FACILITIES
 Each bedroom has a high timbered ceiling supported by solid concrete beams complemented with brushed cement floors.

 Each bedroom has independently controlled air conditioning as well as a central ceiling fan.

 Peo TV with over 100 local & international channels in each room.

 Telephone extension to each room with IDD & automated billing.

 Data outlet including Wifi provided through a dedicated fibre optic leased line.

 Washing machine, dryer and ironing facilities for guests’ use.

 Filtered water, pressure pumped from our own tube well, 180 feet deep.

 Underground wiring system (no cables spoiling the view).

 Roof solar panels for water heating and electricity generation.

 Standby generator (45kva) on auto mode.

 Active lightning protection conforming to EU standards.

 For relaxation, there is:
 an interior veranda at the north side of The Bungalow with an ancient swing;
 an interior grassed courtyard;
 a reading room/library;
 a large living room with armchairs and sofas;
 a dining area with long slab table seating 12;
 a south-facing veranda,
 an infinity swimming pool overlooking the hills and valleys;
 a pool pavilion and two spacious gardens with a spectacular view.

 Bo Tree with a natural rock platform for meditating or Yoga adjoining The Bungalow.

 Private estate paths for walking, hiking or jogging without disturbance.

 For nature lovers, a large variety of birds and unusual fresh water fish in the streams.

 There is a provision to build a helipad behind The Bungalow during the next stage.

 4x4 vehicle with driver for guests to travel to and from the National Parks at Yala, Udawalawe, Sinharaja or to any other location including the south coast beaches.

 Comfortable chauffeur-driven transfers from and to the airport (under three hours) or from/to the Matara railway or bus stations.

LOCATION
The Bungalow is on Makuludola Estate just north of Telijjawila, a small town on the A24 road from Matara to Akuressa. Access is easy by car.

From Colombo or Galle take the Southern Expressway, leaving it at the Matara exit. Take a left turn to enter the Matara to Akuressa road and travel up to the Telijjawila junction. Take a right turn there and drive for about a mile towards Akuressa until reaching the Dampella Garage with cars under repair on the left side of the road. Turn left there and you are on the private road to The Bungalow marked by gate posts (no gate). Where the road forks, take the right fork up to The Bungalow.

From Yala or the east or the hill country, drive along the A2 south coast road through Matara and then take the A24 road to Akuressa and follow the above directions.

GUESTS
Our guests are people of discernment who value the natural serenity of our plantation setting and appreciate the spacious design of our modern bungalow with its traditional attributes. Guests who want to be alone whether to indulge in sheer relaxation, romantic interludes, reading, writing or painting; bird watching or rambling; hold workshops, brainstorming sessions with colleagues; private celebrations, plantation dinners or even pre-wedding photo shoots, are always welcome by prior arrangement.

CONTACT
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