With its own 400-metre private beach, a 20-metre pool and two acres of grounds, all surrounded by a wall for security, it’s a perfect place for families. But what makes it really special is the staff. The professional team of six, including the English-speaking manager and professional head chef, brings a real personal touch to a stay at the fully staffed, four-bedroomed, luxury villa. We meet three of the people behind the attentive service.

Gayan Hettige, manager

“I’ve been with Stella Beach since the beginning — nearly seven years now. I started as the assistant project manager during construction and now manage the villa day to day.

“For me, Stella Beach is truly a paradise. Sri Lanka is a tropical country and offers so many experiences from visiting tea plantations to surfing and yoga. The villa is a great place to spend time and relax.

“Personally, the opportunity to meet lots of people from different nationalities and share my culture with them brings me a lot of pleasure. I always try to show them a nearby Buddhist temple and teach them little bit about Buddhism. I also like taking them to the local fish market and explaining about local delicacies. Back at the villa, we prepare rice and curry with local herbs.

“Overall, I like to get to know our guests. Afterwards, I see them as my cousins.”

Sumudu Lakmal, head chef

“The food in Sri Lanka is really good — healthy and tasty with lots of special local flavours. A lot of the guests ask me to teach them how to cook Sri Lankan dishes and I love sharing my experience with them. I also try to help them find Sri Lankan herbs to take back to their countries to cook the dishes at home. That way, they take a little bit of Stella Beach back home with them.

“I’ve been working at Stella Beach for two years now and previously worked in hotels as a cook. I really like the fact that we can interact with the guests and talk to them about their dietary preferences and requirements. That way, I can offer them a far better and more personalised level of service.”

Aloma Ransinha, housekeeper

“I moved to work at Stella Beach three years ago having previously worked at another villa in Galle. It’s a beautiful place to be and I love being part of the staff family.

“The thing I enjoy most about my job is meeting people from different countries and sharing our culture with them. I teach them how to wear the traditional Sri Lankan dress, the sari, and I help them to find fresh Sri Lankan herbs, such as Aloe vera, for them to prepare for cosmetics.”

“My advice for visitors is the best months to visit are November to April but every month is beautiful in its own way.”

See Stella Beach villa’s reviews, rates and availability here.

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