12 Jun 2023
PEARL PORTFOLIO – FAMILY 2023
The newly launched Pearl Portfolio are a group of ten Independently owned villas and hotels in Sri Lanka that have come together to promote not only their own unique properties, but also Sri Lanka as a whole.
The portfolio is not governed by any group or establishment and represents intimate, boutique properties with big stories to tell. Those supporting local communities, those with history and sustainable approach to guest activities, those listening to the islands needs to create a better environment for nature and tourism to thrive.
Those that have heart, soul, and roots and offer the genuine Sri Lankan welcome, that comes from within.
The portfolio offers a wide range of family activities from a specialist retreat to manage intrusion of technology on family life to bathing in waterfalls, watching elephants swim in Sri Lankas largest lake to a new beach cinema experience under the stars.
These stories can be picked up independently or used as a general tour of the island.
- Rosyth – Only two hours from the airport this is the ideal start of your Sri Lanka journey. Take part in the family treasure hunts and join the onsite naturalist at Rosyth Estate and learn all about the local butterflies, monkeys and the other wildlife that call Rosyth their home. https://www.rosyth.lk/just-for-kids/
- Santani: This award winning wellness retreat is aimed at families with teens up and takes each members work patterns, daily routines, and key stresses into consideration for a full scope personalised retreat that enables attendees to manage the bombardment of daily technology more effectively. This one of a kind retreat offers a fine mix of yoga asanas, pranayama, Ayurvedic therapies, meditation and nature immersions and is designed to run for 7 to 14 days for optimal results. https://www.santani.com/santaniwellness-kandy/
- AMBA Estate: Escape to the green hills of Uva in Sri Lanka for a week of fun, adventure, and hands-on learning. AMBA is a community run social enterprise and here guests enjoy home-made organic food, fresh mountain-air, and breath-taking views, while swimming in waterfalls, hiking Ella Rock and exploring hidden caves. During their stay families learn all about organic farming and indigenous flora and fauna and can try their hand at making their own tea – from plucking to rolling to drying and packaging. At AMBA families experience real rural life with visits to villagers' homes to learn about traditional recipes and handicrafts. https://www.ambaestate.com/
- Gal Oya Lodge – With limited wifi and hardly any phone signal Gal Oya lodge is the ideal 2023 jungle experience to reunite the family. This ecolodge is spread across 20 acres of private jungle allowing guests to enjoy this natural paradise through experiences such as the boat safari on Sri Lanka's largest lake where guests can discover wildlife from a whole new perspective and may even be lucky enough to see elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake's edge. Guests are also invited to take a walk with the lodges Vedda neighbours, one of the last remaining communities of the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka to learn the ancient art of medicinal healing from the jungle https://www.galoyalodge.com/
- Karpaha Sands. Unreachable for 30 years and Sri Lanka's prime beach destination before the civil war, the East Coast has reopened its doors, offering families natural and cultural treasures, including the country's most wonderful quiet beaches. Brand new for families (and unique to Karpaha) is “cinema under the stars” which invites guests to snuggle up on big bean bags and choose from a list of films whilst they share the free popcorn on offer under the stars. https://www.karpahasands.com/
- Stafford Bungalow Visiting the Stafford estate within a working tea plantation is an extraordinary family experience – taking you back to wholesome basics in this tranquil setting high in the tea mountains where you can rent the whole bungalow or the owner's cottage to have privacy and undisturbed family time. Activities include family hikes and trails where guests can enjoy the fresh mountain air, lush greenery, and picturesque views while searching for wildlife to a picnic in the tea gardens with an afternoon nap in the hammock to an evening of outdoors games and night time swim in the heated jacuzzi or pool – this is property is all about reuniting and spending quality time with those you love most. http://www.staffordbungalow.com/
- Kalukanda House - It is no wonder that families return to Kalukanda House year on year to take over the entire villa for celebrations from 50thbirthday parties to Silver Wedding Anniversaries, Valentines, Honeymoons and more. Booking the entire villa allows guests privacy and freedom.
Built in 2017 by an award winning British – Sri Lankan born interior designer Dee Gibson, Kalukanda is set within a lush tropical enclave, reminiscent of a Tarzan and Jane style grotto, wowing families with its proximity to treetop swinging Langur monkeys, visiting endemic birds and plenty of daily wildlife. An established retreat space, guests can enjoy an incredible tailor-made family retreat and spa day starting with morning group yoga, followed by a guided talk circle, delicious lunch and a sound bath experience topped off by massages in the villa or garden shala. Other experiences include surfing on one of the best beaches to learn to surf in South Asia, watching baby elephants being fed at local elephant safari, a visit to the islands only White Tea Plantation and learning to cook traditional Sri Lankan food in chef's home or at the villa.Or simply chill in the villa's luxurious and deeply comforting spaces playing cards, table tennis and chatting while being fed and watered by the team. https://www.kalukandahouse.com/
- Sri Sharvari https://www.srisharavibeachvillas.com/
Sri Villas is the ideal venue for a multi-generational family trip with nine suites spread over three separate villas it provides flexible accommodation.
Directly located on a wide sandy beach, close to Bentota, Hikkaduwa and an hour from Galle - with a 23-metre private pool and special shallow area for babies and children. Tropical gardens with plenty of space for a game of cricket, sandcastles and fun and games in the pool. The menus are also designed to keep tummies of ages satisfied.
Activities wise, the villa offers everything from yoga to massage, river cruises to find monitor lizards, visits to a cinnamon plantation or a tea estate, days out fishing (complete with hamper), bicycle trips on the country lanes watching village life pass by, surfing, water sports on the Bentota river, watch baby turtles hatch and if lucky enough a turtle laying eggs right in front of the villas.
For the adults in the group, there are lovely gardens designed by Bevis Bawa and architectural tropical visionary Geoffrey Bawa's Lunuganga is all close at hand. And ending the days reuniting around a bonfire on the beach and a special dinner set up on the deck - reminiscing over the days' activities.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT PHOEBE AT PEARL PORTFOLIO ON WWW.PEARLPORTFOLIO.COM
