Bissa Villa

What made Bissa Villa special for us was the way Kaushi and Samitha spoke about their community, their neighbors, the land and the animals. Their outlook on life nearly brought me to tears. They’re two of the kindest people I’ve met, and I felt I’d made friends. I hope to visit again. We stayed as a family of four in lovely, modest, cute accommodations. The villa sits in the jungle outside Habarana, near train tracks, and we heard a train or two during the night, but it didn’t bother us. We also heard wild elephants trumpeting at night. The pool was well cared for, though we didn’t use it, and breakfast and dinner were delicious. If you want a manicured five star stay, this isn’t for you. What you get here is a beautiful, peaceful, humbling experience with two lovely people. We need more people like Kaushi and Samitha on this planet.

The owners and staff were the heart of our stay at Bissa Villa. They welcomed us so warmly, and getting to know them was a highlight. Their connection to the community, nature and nearby animals was deeply touching. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the spaces and little details all felt cared for with love. We could hear and see some wild elephants next to the villa, surrounded by jungle and peaceful energy. The train tracks are beside the villa, so you sometimes hear trains, but it didn’t bother us. The food was good. It’s not traditional luxury, but it offers authenticity, warmth and a meaningful experience that stays with you.

We’re writing this on our last day at Bissa Villa, and as a family of four with two young children, we really don’t want to leave. The hosts are the nicest couple we’ve met on our travels. They made everything special and helped arrange a safari, tuk tuks, tours and onward travel, which made things so easy with little ones. The children loved the gardens and wildlife. We saw monkeys, lizards, squirrels and colourful birds, and felt completely immersed in nature. Our cabana was spotless, spacious, comfortable and gave us privacy. Meals at the restaurant were consistently delicious, and the staff were warm, friendly and fantastic with the kids. Genuine hospitality in a beautiful natural setting. One of the highlights of our trip, and we’d return in a heartbeat. 💛

The Sri Lankan breakfast and dinner at the Train Hut restaurant were delicious, among the best food we had on our two week trip. At Bissa Villa, the owners, Samitha and Kauchi, were incredibly kind and helpful. They arranged several day trips for us, including an amazing safari to Kaudulla. A wonderful place to stay.