Villa Shade Homestay near Colombo, Sri Lanka – a Review

We landed in Colombo at around 8pm in the evening of 24^th Dec for our Sri Lanka road trip. We were scheduled to drive up to Habarana the next morning. Since it was a matter of just an overnight stay, we decided not to check in to any hotel and pay a bomb for a clean bed, bathroom and breakfast. Instead, we scouted for a good homestay that would give us all of the above three at reasonable rates. And found, Villa Shade in Negombo. Just about 40kms from Colombo that meant a 45-min drive, we decided to go for it.

Located in sprawling grounds, Villa Shade is run by the Peiris husband-wife duo, Shiraj and Deepika. Set amidst trees, a green lawn and a swimming pool (too), what will strike you most about Villa Shade is its simplicity, cleanliness and of course, the greenery and flowers. The rooms are clean and basic, with tea/coffee options, clean bathrooms and an attached verandah. While Shiraj was giving us a tour of the place, we also discovered that they have a tree house that caught our daughter’s fancy, and a nice indoor fish pond in their living room. And then, there were orchids and anthuriums everywhere in the garden…

Remember, Villa Shade is a bed and breakfast place. Our breakfast the next morning, comprised bananas, juice, Srilankan rolls and tea/coffee, all fresh and set outdoor in the garden. We absolutely loved the simplicity and sincerity of the Peiris couple. Shiraj even accompanied us to the tree house mush to our daughter’s delight. So much did she like the place that she didn’t want to leave after breakfast, accusing us of not planning another day here so that she could play at the tree house to her heart’s content!

Leave, we had to, for we had to reach Habarana by late noon. But not before a warm set of goodbyes and a promise to visit again, if ever…