Max Wadiya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

The beaches of Ambalangoda, whilst excellent for sunset strolls, are little visited by other tourists since there are very few facilities that line the long golden sand. Max Wadiya’s location just a couple of kilometres south of Ambalangoda is unknown to the holiday crowds. Neighboured by tiny village homes amongst coconut palms, Max Wadiya has a wide beach frontage where the waves of the deep blue ocean are always in view. The only other people you’re likely to see on the beach are fishermen and, even then, only if you are up early enough in the morning to watch them pull in their nets from the sea.

Max Wadiya was once an antiques salesroom and the owner has done much to continue this focus since it is filled with a wide range of colonial furnishings, interesting antiques and artwork, much of which is sourced locally from Ambalangoda. This original building has a deep verandah on both floors and houses three comfortable bedrooms furnished in traditional Sri Lankan style. A newer building, just to the side of the first, houses two modern suites whose sliding glass doors and windows maximise the sea views. Each bedroom overlooks the ocean and large grassy garden which is shaded by coconut palms and enhanced by twin pavilions and tropical foliage. Kids will love all this play space, and a volleyball court and sand pit will provide even more fun.

Max Wadiya is very private. Guests are looked after by a staff of six, including a live-in manager. Rates include full-board with authentic Sri Lankan home-cooked cuisine being at the forefront of the menu; the manager is eager to pass on his knowledge of the island’s culinary delights and claims to be able to produce a different Sri Lankan dish every day for a month! Only a short distance from this little-visited location is the town of Ambalangoda, famed as a centre of southern culture; dancing and mask-making in particular. And if this isn’t enough, the beach mecca of Hikkaduwa is only a 15-minute drive down the road.

Max Wadiya is in the village of Urawatta, two kilometres south of Ambalangoda. Village homes and shops loosely border the main Galle Road whilst the village lays claim to a wide and almost deserted sandy beach, fringed by leaning coconut palms and carpeted in places with rich green vegetation that sprouts bright purple flowers in season. Lots of fishing action goes on along this stretch of beach; the fishermen working collectively as they cast huge nets into the sea that they then pull hopefully back onto the shore.!   Read More/Google Map

Max Wadiya comprises two buildings, which are connected by a courtyard with pond shaded by the overhanging boughs of a flowering jacaranda. Both these buildings open directly onto the garden and all bedrooms benefit from sweeping sea views, ceiling fans and air conditioning.

The main villa is around 40-years-old and original features such as polished cement floors fringed by delicate tiles and deep verandahs have been retained, making the most of the tropical climate. The villa’s antique furniture, including four-poster beds and rattan planter’s chairs, is also characteristic of Sri Lanka’s recent past although guests can still enjoy the comforts of today.

On the ground floor is a hallway leading into a living room with sofa seating and a dining table for six , with a purpose built bar to the rear. To the left of the living room is the fifth bedroom, which has a king-size four-poster bed and sliding doors opening onto the front verandah and garden. This bedroom is ideal for elderly relatives and, along with all the other bedrooms, has an ensuite bathroom with shower.

A wooden staircase to the rear of the building takes you to the first floor where a spacious hallway with TV and DVD corner leads to the two bedrooms and directly onto the balcony. To the left of the hall is the fourth bedroom, which has a double four-poster bed, wardrobe and sliding doors onto the balcony. Directly opposite is the third bedroom, which also has a double four-poster bed as well as a walk-in closet. These two upstairs rooms are great as a family suite.

Walking across the courtyard from the living room takes you past the kitchen to the newer building that houses two modern suites. Identical in layout, these suites are split-level, each with a four-poster double bed complemented by a private lounge on a lower level. These rooms have sliding glass doors onto their own private verandah or balcony as well as a small kitchenette with kettle, mini fridge, sink and coffee maker. Each ensuite bathroom has a walk-through closet and the ground floor bathroom has a second open-air shower in a small enclosed garden.