Introduction
| APA
VILLA THALPE FEATURED
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COMMENTS FROM OUR GUESTBOOK “Thank you
for making our stay so special. We felt
like royalty on our early honeymoon: invigorated
by the sea, relaxed by the pool and charmed
with the yummy food.” “What an amazing
place – calm, tranquil and a complete
oasis of relaxation. “Thank you
for so much for everything you have done
to make our honeymoon a wonderful experience
we will always hold close. Your attention
to detail and sense of style. “Quite
simple, Apa Villa is a slice of heaven
beside the Indian Ocean! Thank you for
a perfect stay.”
COMMENTS FROM THE INTERNET “Can't
say enough about how wonderful APA Villa
is!
“We stayed
in the Appa Villa in Sep 2004 and we cant
think of anything bad to say about this
place. Its in a great quiet location.
The rooms were really nice. Thinking about
it of the 4 days we spent in Galle 2 of
the days we didn’t leave the hotel
at all. There is no TV in the room but
there is a library and beach on your doorstep.
The food was great, the chef usually came
to see us at lunch to ask what we wanted
for dinner and we often opted for the
fresh seafood. |
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FROM THE WORLDWIDE PRESS
“Surrounded by slender
coconut palms, Apa Villa Thalpe, 8km from the
UNESCO-protected fort city of Galle, on the
southwest coast several hours by car from Colombo,
features three bungalows – evocatively
named Cardamom, Cinnamon and Saffron –
and a 12m pool overlooking the sea. That pool
is so beautifully sited that it made the cover
of high-circulation US-based Conde Nast Traveler
magazine in July 2004. Also near Galle, Apa
Villa Illuketiya is a plantation-style house
with four suites (plus the additional Jasmin
and Ginger suites in the petite and lotus-surrounded
Pond House) on a vast garden estate planted
in the 1880s.
The area suffered some damage during the Boxing
Day tsunami and owner of the Apa properties,
Hans Hoefer, founder of Insight guidebooks,
says, "For a week, Illuketiya was turned
into a refuge for our guests and 50 more island
visitors."
Bungalow chic
THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL TEST
Converted colonial accommodation in Sri Lanka
is full of atmosphere and priced to please,
writes Susan Kurosawa
03 September 2005, The Australian
“Since I have a long way to go, I break
journey at Unawatuna to have a quick lunch at
Apa Villas, the beach property owned by Hans
Hoefer, who till recently, was publisher of
Insight Guides.
Apa Villas is perfectly
placed for those who want to escape the city
and yet be close enough to experience the sights
of a part of this magical island. Hoefer seems
to have got his formula right. The airy beach
property looked after by a British couple, is
as friendly as a large home can get. The rooms
are remniscent of the British era with all comforts,
built in a style befitting the tropical life
of monsoon rains and incredible sunsets. Fully
modernised, each villa is designed to take full
advantage of spectacular views across the Indian
Ocean that pounds onto the beach.”
The Hindu Sunday Magazine, 2003.
“The
best thing about the villa, however, is its
surroundings. Cicadas, birds and silver-haired
monkeys have made the adjacent tropical gardens
their playground while further afield, spice
and rice fields disappear into the distance”
- The Independent UK.
Quotes from our guestbooks
April 2005
“Thank you all for a wonderful, however,
short break at this fantastic villa. The hospitality
and delicious food was appreciated. Good luck
to you all and keep “blackie” in
the comfort he is used to!”
-Vivien and Eric Carter
Mcrecambe, United Kingdom
October 2004
“Illuketia is an ideal place for artistic
inspiration. Thank you Management for a more
then perfect weekend.”
-Indra, David, Tom and Maya
October 2004
“We had a wonderful time, enjoying the
views, the gardens, the food, and the incredibly
friendly and helpful staff. And of course the
Management’s ever-present helpfulness.”
- Jeff Lunitead and Debbie Shaipe
Lunstead
November 2004
“I came to chill out and did, that goodness
you can’t get toddy in London otherwise
life would be one long siesta. I’d recommend
this place for anyone of a weird disposition”
- Mark Graborski
November 2004
“Paradise: idyllic escape… Illuketia
and Apa Villa were both intimate and an out
of this world experience. Being a part of nature
within a beautiful home is special it feels
very personal which is the magic behind the
place. From the hearty smiles of the staff,
to exquisite cooking, my soul feels rested and
refreshed. Thank you Management.”
- Hana
January 2004
“We arrived to the sounds of a Farinelli
playing, entered a courtyard that takes one’s
breath away and spent the next two days taking
in every variation of green in the paddy fields
and trees around us. The staff spoiled up silly
– the food was fantastic. There are many
visions of paradise – this marvelous home
is the best one.”
- Rahul Jacob
London
December 2006
“We are sad to be leaving this oasis
of relaxation after 2 weeks touring Sri Lanka.
We Will take home many enriched memories of
Apa Villa: the rolling surf of the ocean, the
delightful setting and not least the discrete
yet excellent service offered by all the staff.
Thank you all with every good wish for 2007”
- Janet and Derek Boult
England
March 2007
“To the management and staff of the delightful
Apa Villa’s! We couldn’t have asked
or dreamt of a more perfect location and atmosphere
for our beautiful wedding and following honeymoon!
The whole experience was a dream in paradise,
with every wish catered for. We now have the
most sparkling memories to begin our married
life with, and the best excuse in the world
to return to Sri Lanka and Apa Villa for future
anniversaries! Thank you so much for everything”
- Kim and mark Norton (Newly-weds!)
November 2003
“Please can I come again? This time for
much longer, to relax in the space, the shade,
the lovely people… and the sound of waves
at night. Heaven…”
- Lisa Geiger
London
April 2004
“What a fantastic way to finish our Sri
Lanka tour. Only shame is that we only had 2
days – next time we will be back for much
longer”
- Meg, Mimi and Claire
November 2005
“There are not enough stars to do the
justice in the name of Apa Villa. This is our
paradise on earth and the happy memories will
last forever.”
- Jemma and Steve Wylie
October 2006
“Many hotels and villas accept children
but my little tribe of 4 have been welcomed
with such open arms and wide smiles it has made
Apa Villa a wonderful family destination”
- Paul and Lizzie Hudson
England
January 2007
“To everyone at Apa Villas, thank you
all so much. We have enjoyed our stay here enormously.
It is the most wonderful setting, a dream holiday.
The staff have been exceptionally attentive,
pampering to our every wish, which with eight
children in our party is one mean treat!”
- David, Dlu, Henrietta, Hugo and Rory Church
England
January 2007
“Watching the fishermen at the sunset
over the sea – a memorable experience.”
- Annie and Nick Dosh
England
March 2007
“To everyone at Apa Villa, Please don’t
change anything - it is perfect, a beautiful
setting, wonderful food, charming and friendly
staff we have been treated like royalty.”
- Natasha and Toby Greig
England
March 2007
We have adored every second of our time in
paradise
- Anne and Charlie Spear
England
November 2005
“…A slice of heaven on earth…”
- Brad Former
Australia
July 2006
“We are very surprised to find such a
‘home’ so far away from home! We
didn’t need any excursion of trip to make:
everything we need was here, beautiful nature
(birds, monkeys, flowers, butterflies, fireflies).
Excellent service nice people and very good
food!”
- Henk and Jacqueline Bosman
Netherlands
March 2007
“This is an unbelievably beautiful place.
Enjoying the cooling pool and sea breeze, great
for children as well. Thank you so much.”
- Rog, Rie and Ryan
Japan
April 2005
“Thank you is not enough. We have had
the perfect holiday. The beach, food, and nature:
a true paradise.”
- Ken and Chris
England