Ivory House, Angulugaha, near Koggala Lake

Families and groups of friends will love four-bedroom Ivory House, a sensitively extended colonial villa overlooking an ever changing theatre of paddy fields near Koggala Lake. Depending upon the season, the rice paddies might be a lush green or a golden brown. The villa is west-facing, and offers up superb sunset panoramas from the spacious tropical garden and the 20-metre swimming pool.

The villa has two generous master suites and two smaller bedrooms off a big living room. Rooms open through folding doors onto a deep veranda, and there’s an indoor dining area just off the well-equipped galley kitchen. The villa’s décor marries traditional furnishings with a contemporary layout and chic design features such as retro lamps, vintage typewriters and screen printed cushions.

Ivory House is staffed by an efficient team including cook, and backed up by an on-call management company who can assist with local transport and tours.