Apa Villa is owned by Hans Holfer author and publisher of the Insight Guides, which preceded the Lonely Planet and other such travel bibles. In other words what this man doesn't know about the ideal beach setting isn't worth knowing and this is more than apparent through his creation of Apa villa.

Hans also owns a second hotel on the island called Illuketia Garden Estate. This 19th century Tea Plantation House has 6 splendidly renovated suites and is just 10mins from Apa Villa. Guests from Apa Villa are welcome at the house anytime so you are essentially getting 2 hotels for the price of one.

The collection of suites and small villas at Apa Villa are set in a mature coconut grove with a stunning swimming pool which overlooks the Indian Ocean. The style of the villas befits a gentle tropical existence of monsoon rains, surf and splendid sunsets.

A unique elongated swimming pool is shaded by swaying palm trees. At its beach end is a wooden deck positioned to watch the rolling waves and allow access to the beach

The three houses in the estate appeal differently:

Villa 1 is the main house, built originally in 1955, and has a large central living room filled with books and a large entertainment room with flat screen TV etc.. A long terrace leads into two suites directed towards the beach and a third garden suite with connecting door.

Villa 2 is made up of two large suites. Each suite has a double bed, bathroom, walk in wardrobe and a sitting room. The verandah, colonial-style banquette and chaise longue, faces the swimming pool and is comfortable for four persons, or a family with children.

Villa 3 consists of two splendid units. Each suite comes with a double bedroom, a bathroom, living room and beach-front terrace.

The stainless steel and wood furniture is contemporary elegant. All soft furnishings are local weaves with attractive collectibles from other Asian countries.

Wifi is provided throughout the house.

Dining in the main house living room if you wish is for 14, though guests may choose to have breakfast or dine in the shade of the coconut palms, the beach deck or their own verandah. Dining during the Full Moon evenings and nights, designated as official monthly Sri Lankan holidays are simply spectacular both on the beach or in the gardens.

The food at Apa Villa is excellent, but there are also a number of options for eating out if you wish, which is one of the best aspects of the Galle to Thalpe strip. Most similar properties welcome outside guests and a trip up to the Galle Fort or Illuketia Garden Estate (Apa's sister hotel) for one of your evening meals is a must.

While at Apa Villa you are welcome any time at Illuketia Garden Estate which is about 10 minutes inland. This is without doubt the most beautiful traditional sri lankan villa on the island. There are accommodation packages linking the two or just pop up one day for lunch or to learn how to cook a Sri Lankan curry yourself using vegetables from the organic garden.

Alternatively the hotel can arrange day excursions to Uda Walawe National Park which forms part of Sri Lanka's natural elephant corridor or to a local turtle hatchery to release the new borns into the sea.

Children - For children under 11 and sharing a room with parents, there is no charge and they dine free with parents. Maximum of two children sharing parent's room. A baby cot is free.

Check in / out - Flexible but expect 12:00 check out if new guests are expected

There is no swimming directly infront of the hotel, but a short walk up the beach brings you to a safe shallow pool where you can access the sea safely through the coral reef.

Key Features:

A/C Ensuite Bedrooms
Swimmingpool
Beachfront
Wifi
In House Chef

"Another standout place during our trip was Apa Villa on the beach. Quite stunning. We had been spoilt by that time and was rather disappointed when we moved on to their other property, Illuketia, it was a rather shabby with lots of mossies. However, the kids loved the monkeys and water monitors there, and we took the advise from the Fleewinter notes (very helpful) and went to the Why Beach and Wijaya Beach Cottage in the late afternoon to catch the sunset and eat each night." (Mark Graham - Oct 11)

"I remember being worried about the road noise at Villa Apa but it wasn't a problem. I presume all the bungalows along the road have some road noise, but the most important thing was that when we were inside our villa and especially in our bedroom - nothing at all could be heard." (Stephen Cowles - March 10)."

'4.5/5 - We loved it - very relaxed vibe - great food and good service - attentive staff - huge bathroom, partly outside - shame you can't swim on the beach - good location for visiting a number of places along the coast. Fantastic breakfast - loved the egg hoppas - they even served us breakfast at 1pm on our first day. Great view from the room across the pool and beach. The reason I scored this a 4.5 and not a 5 are that the cleaners let it down - all they did was make the bed - they did not clean the room very well - floor was not swept and they did not refill the toilettries.' - Caroline Grayson (Jan 2010).

5/5 - Fantastic levels of service. Great attention to detail. Every need catered for. Our whole hoilday was effortless from start to finish. Everything as expected. The other Apa Villa is worth a visit for dinner." (Rachel Przybylski - Feb 08)

"Apa again was great although the traffic noise on the first night was horendous however after that it didn't worry us much. The room was lovely,the service was tremendous, the food was great." ( Chris Hawkings - Feb 08)

"We had a lovely time at Apa and were lucky that there was another family with kids there for 3 out of our 5 days. We all got on like a house on fire and ate together and went on day trips together. We spent New Year's Day at Unawatuna beach surrounded by drunk Sri lankans, which was entertaining! Great trip to Mirissa one day. Lovely boat trip round Koggala lake (Cinnammon Island visit etc). We went to Illuketia one day and had a nice lunch and wander around. The Turtle Hatchery was a real highlight, and the kids are on a mission to raise money for it at school. We released 25 4 day old sea turtles into the ocean. So sweet! The houseboys at Apa Villa were fantastic, especially Sahan." (Clare Nichols - April 07)

"Apa was lovely, Frank and Claudia great hosts, food excellent, staff extremely helpful. The noise of the waves drowned out that from the road and railway after the first night! A shame no swimming on beach in front of villa, but great lagoons to swim in nearby. Wonderful sunsets over the ocean,and fascinating watching the stilt fishermen, terns and kingfishers compete for fish just in front of the villa!" (Sandi Malpas - March 2007)