D' Art VILLA RETREAT AND SPA

I originally booked D’Art Villa for six nights after visiting Sigiriya, intending to move on to a three-day structured retreat elsewhere. In the end, D’Art Villa created a bespoke retreat-style stay just for me, including daily spa treatments, yoga, beach walks, and all food and drinks. It turned out to be exactly what I needed. I was also given a bicycle for my stay and felt completely comfortable using it on the local roads, which gave me a lovely sense of freedom. I was even upgraded to a larger room, which was a very thoughtful touch. I felt genuinely welcomed, safe, and cared for, like being with family rather than staying in a hotel. As a middle-aged woman travelling solo for the first time in many years, that meant more to me than I can easily put into words. A True Spa & Retreat Setting It’s important to say that D’Art Villa is a spa and retreat, not a busy social or party destination. Guests should not expect the buzz of places like Ahangama or other more lively coastal towns. Instead, D’Art Villa offers peace, calm, and space to breathe. It can be deeply relaxing in its own right, or used as a comfortable base from which to explore nearby beaches, temples, and wildlife areas. For me, the balance was perfect. Management, Care & Thoughtfulness The management and staff are exceptional, warm, kind, and genuinely invested in your wellbeing. Nothing feels transactional; everything is done with care. During my stay, they organised a wonderful visit for me to Mulgirigala Raja Maha Viharaya, whilst not as breathtaking as Dambulla Cave Temple it was still impressive and the view was unbelievable from the top. They also arranged a safari to Yala National Park for other guests. My daughter was also travelling elsewhere in Sri Lanka at the time, and the team helped me navigate her rabies injections as a cat had scratched her, even though she was staying in Ahangama. That level of support went far beyond what anyone could reasonably expect and meant a great deal to me. They are also happy to organise tuk-tuks, recommend local beaches, cafes, and restaurants, and help with anything you might need. There is a genuine sense that they want guests to feel at ease and supported. Cooking & Dining All meals are homemade and cooked fresh in front of you using excellent-quality ingredients. The food is delicious, varied, and thoughtfully prepared. Each evening there is a different dinner menu with choices of starters, mains, and desserts. They happily cater for vegetarian, vegan, and any other dietary requirements. Breakfasts can be Sri Lankan or English/European style. Hygiene standards throughout the kitchen and dining areas are impeccable. Rooms, Cleaning & Comfort Rooms are cleaned daily if you wish and are very comfortable. The beds are excellent, Netflix is available, and there are tea and coffee facilities in the room. Toiletries are provided in the bathrooms, and drinks and snacks are available on request. I used the laundry service and my clothes were returned the very next day, beautifully folded, sealed, and smelling wonderful. Communal areas are kept spotlessly clean, and the pool was professionally cleaned during my stay. I always drink green tea, and Suresh, the Assistant Manager, kindly went out especially to buy some for me and placed them in my room — a small gesture that perfectly sums up the level of care here. The Owner Fortunately Martin, the owner, was there during my stay. He is charming, friendly, and very gracious. He takes a thoughtful interest in the running of the retreat and in guests’ experiences, while never being intrusive. I found him to be a kind and considerate presence and am very grateful for the care and support he showed during my stay.