Villa Santé

Villa Santé is a striking contemporary home on the shore of the Kalpitiya Lagoon, on Sri Lanka’s quiet north-west coast, where the water is dotted with fishing boats and the sunsets are spectacular. Its sweeping timber roof and white-washed walls open the house to the sea breeze, and the lawns run down to the water’s edge. With five king bedrooms, it suits families and friends looking for space, wide horizons and an easy-going base for kite surfing, wildlife and the water.

The fourteen-by-seven-and-a-half-metre infinity-edge pool stretches out towards the lagoon, framed by coconut palms, with sun loungers and rattan sofas laid out for the view. Manicured gardens surround the house and offer calm corners for yoga or a morning stretch. Kalpitiya is one of Sri Lanka’s best-known kite-surfing spots, and whale and dolphin trips and safaris in Wilpattu National Park can all be arranged from here.

The main living room sits beside the pool behind floor-to-ceiling glass, with deep sofas and armchairs, and on the first floor a second lounge with a TV opens onto a terrace with lagoon views. There is a home cinema, board games and an eight-seat dining table for long Sri Lankan meals cooked by the in-house chef with local ingredients. All five bedrooms have king beds, air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold showers, and two have four-poster beds. A villa manager, housekeeping, a gardener and round-the-clock security look after the house, and breakfast is included.