Fleewinter

Owned by a welcoming architect and lighting design couple from the UK, Reef has clearly been a labour of love and echoes the thought and time that has been devoted to it. Brendan's lighting skills are evident throughout the hotel, but no more so that in the entrance way and intimate walled garden which greets you on arrival. Lovely by day this area is simply stunning by night.

Covered by lily ponds, this garden is home to the first of seven bedrooms The Lily Pond Room - Olu. Despite being the smallest room it is one of our personal favourites because of its positioning within this charming floating garden.

As you continue through the garden you eventually come to the main house. Inside is a vast vaulted living and dining area, with double doors and glass panels on three sides leading through to a wide veranda. A huge spiral staircase leads up from the communal living space to the two Main House Rooms - Manel and Nelum. Both of these rooms have spacious private balconies, uninterrupted sea views and outdoor showers.

In the garden there are a further four suites referred to collectively as the Ocean Suites - Namal, Sepalika, Kekatiya & Sapumal. Each suite has timber shuttered doors that lead onto individual shaded verandas with antique Indian swings.

All the bedrooms feature highly decorated antique Jacobean Calcutta four poster beds which were used during the British Raj and imported from India. Working antique electric fans hang from the ceilings as well as fixed punkah fans. Contemporary Bharat hand crafted coloured floor tiles replicate Encaustic tiles, invented by 12th Century monks. They are beautiful and cool under foot.

As well as the traditional decor the rooms feature all the mod cons and finishing touches - Statellite TV, DVD player/CD and radio, broadband and internet access, International Direct Dialling facilities, mini-bar, electronic safe, and tea / coffee making facilities, hairdryers, complimentary toiletries, dressing gowns and slippers.

The bathrooms are all enormous and extremely luxurious. Rain showers, Venetian style mirrors, twin basins and free-standing polished granite bathtubs definitely give these en-suites the wow factor.

Other facilities at the hotel include an infinity-edge swimming pool with spa and two children's pools. A beach bar, table tennis/yoga pavilion, tennis court, jogging track and gift boutique. The Reef Spa situated in a separate pavilion amidst tropical gardens has just opened and offers a range of relaxing massages, facials and body treatments.

The formal dining room is situated in the Main House, however most guests choose to dine at the thatched-roofed restaurant besides the pool. Guests can also opt to dine in the gardens, on the veranda or in the privacy of your own rooms. Reef Villa has two fully-equipped commercial kitchens serving a wide array of Sri Lankan, Indian, and western dishes. Guests have the choice of an a la carte menu, catch of the day, BBQ or sumptuous breads straight from the Tandoori oven.

Day trips to Colombo, the Galle Fort and Lunuganga can be arranged. Water sports and deep sea fishing are available locally. You can also visit local turtle hatcheries, take some bicycles inland to explore rural villages or enjoy a river trip with a champagne picnic.

Reef Villa operates a non-smoking policy within the bedrooms, verandas and buildings.