The Teak House
Seenimodera
Nakulugamuwa
Tangalle, Sri Lanka

All Our News

The Fishermen are back!

Whilst we are unable to visit, we are thrilled to 'see' that the itinerant fishermen are back on our beach. [25-01-21]

The Southern Expressway is now open to within 15 minutes of The Teak House

After a wait of 17 years, we are delighted to let you know that the final section of the Southern Expressway was vested a week ago! It will now take between 2 and 2 and a half hours to travel the 234km from Colombo Airport to The Teak House. It is expressway all the way but the last 15 minutes. [02-03-20]

Extending our low season pricing

In light of the terrible impact on tourism since the horrific attacks of Easter Sunday, we have extended our low season pricing across the summer months. There will never be a more affordable time to visit this enchanted isle. [26-06-19]

The Tangalle Riviera

Tangalle Riviera is written up in The Sunday Times [29-01-18]

Special offer for Stays in May and June!

Book and pay for four nights and get one night's free stay. Offer applies to stays up to and including 30 June 2016. Enjoy five nights for the price of four and really experience this 'rare piece of heaven on earth....complete with a fabulous chef!' [01-04-16]

The Marriage of Roshan and Dilhani

After a long wait, we are now delighted to show you the homecoming photograph of our very own Roshan and his beautiful bride, Dilhani. [18-01-16]

Awesome Birthday Cake!

When we discovered that my nephew would be celebrating his 12th birthday at The Teak House, we had to make sure that the cake matched the anniversary. And, look what Roshan ordered from his 'secret' cake maker...the coolest elephant you have ever seen! [01-08-14]

The Swimming Pool is coming...

After many years, we have finally decided to bite the bullet and put in a much longed for swimming pool. Here is the idea... [21-07-14]

Ten years later...and our reviews just get better and better

[30-04-14]

Swimming pool is coming to The Teak House

It has been a long time coming but we have finally decided to bite the bullet and install a swimming pool at The Teak House. The pool will be 12mx4m and be installed in the shady part of the garden to the right of the front of the house as you look out to sea. We have approved the design and, subject to final permissions, the build will take place in the Autumn (September/October) in time for the [23-04-14]

Expressway from Galle to Matara opens 31 January 2014

In yesterday's Ceylon Today newspaper, it was confirmed that the 30km extension of the Colombo-Galle expressway will be opened in the first week of March 2014, reducing the journey time from Galle to Matara from just over an hour to 15 minutes. [30-12-13]

Happy Christmas!

On the eve of our guests arrival from Dubai for the Christmas week, The Teak House would like to wish all its guests, past, present and future, a VERY, VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND FABULOUS NEW YEAR [18-12-12]

Limited availability in December to February

Whilst it is limited, we still have some availability in the peak months of December through to March. As of 31 October 2012, the availability calendar looks like this but, having taken two bookings today alone, it may not remain so for very long. [31-10-12]

Dreamy October Weather

It's October and the weather is gorgeous! The last week has seen uninterrupted blue skies, strong clear sunshine and remarkably calm seas. After a lot of rain in September, the month of October is proving to be consistently beautiful. And with our next guests arriving in two weeks, let's hope it stays like this! [08-10-12]

Leopard Sightings in Yala National Park

It has long been claimed that now, August, is not the time for leopard in Yala National Park. Well, not for the guests currently staying at The Teak House. [22-08-12]

Preparations for the Winter season are well under way!

One of the things about a holiday home 5,500 miles away in the Tropics is upkeep. Flight booked today for this year's essential maintenance and renewal trip! [03-08-12]

Happy New Year or oba samata suba aluth avuruddak wewa!

Have a wonderful new year, Sri Lanka. [23-04-12]

Sea plane to land near International Airport from May 2012

Since the sea plane service resumed on a regular schedule last year, we have been frustrated at how far you have to travel from the airport to its current 'moorings' before boarding and flying down to Tangalle. Once you have reached Dickwella Airport (Mahawella lagoon to be precise), you have a five minute journey to The Teak House. But, the wait is over. The new jetty close by the international airport will open in May. Hurrah....... [23-04-12]

The Waterbuffalo are back!

We have missed our friends and neighbours, the water buffalo, who come all the way by road from Beliatta to eat the lush vegetation around us in Seenimodera but it is good to keep the gate to the garden shut! [31-03-12]

Anyone for a bit of tropical gardening?

Things grow very fast in the tropics. Just another day of 'pruning'! Mr Chris in his element. [21-03-12]

Sorting out the catch requires great concentration

All sorts of chaps appear when the boat comes in. Some hide up the path to avoid the laborious process of hauling in the boat. Everyone wants a bit of the action. It's a serious affair. [21-03-12]

What was life like before the seaplane?

After ten years of coming and going, the seaplane has transformed travel to the Deep South. Once the expressway to Matara is open and the airport connection finished, we may revert to the road but..... [21-03-12]

The Teak Houses glorious collection of hibiscus continues to grow

[21-03-12]

Ahem! Cheeky Seeni takes to the sun lounger....

[21-03-12]

Easter and Sinhala New Year Holidays now fully booked

The Teak House is now fully booked over Easter and Sinhala New Year. Christmas and New Year are under option but there is still good availability for the high holiday months of July and August. [14-03-12]

Wifi Arrives at The Teak House

Thank you, Mobitel. The Teak House is now officially wifi enabled. The internet radio now works and guests can listen to The Archers (if that is their thing) from Seenimodera, a mere 5,500 miles away from Borchester! Enjoy. [10-03-12]

Dispelling some myths.............Sri Lanka is wonderful in the high summer months

For years and years, Sri Lanka was marketed as a Winter sun (Northern Hemisphere) only destination. Nothing could be further from the truth. Having lived in and subsequently visited Sri Lanka two or three times a year for the last ten years, this myth really does need to be dispelled. [18-01-12]

Wishing you a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Wishing you a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS [22-12-11]

Easter Holiday still Available

If you would like to stay in a uniquely romantic and utterly tranquil villa set in nearly two acres of tropical garden and coconut plantation, then The Teak House may be your perfect holiday retreat. Easter falls on the second weekend of April in 2012 and the holidays run into Sinhala New Year. In Sri Lanka, April is the month of holiday, flowers and trees groaning with fruit. Book now to secure this most perfect holiday retreat. [13-12-11]

Journey time slashed by an hour and a half

On 27 November 2011, the long awaited Southern Lanka Express Highway opened from Colombo to Galle. Construction started in 2006 and the toll road has reduced the journey time from Colombo to Tangalle by one and a half hours! The Matara section is expected to be completed in 2013. [02-12-11]

Another Fabulous Review of The Teak House

"A perfect Sri Lankan experience We spent a week at the Teak House with our two children (aged 9 & 11). Prior to our arrival we had been seduced by the website and all the promise of great food, beautiful beaches and an authentic Sri Lankan experience. Well, it matched all our expectations. The property is perfect for a family and extremely comfortable with an eye for interior detail. [02-12-11]

New ETA Visa Price slashed after Complaints

The price of the new ETA visa for tourist entry to Sri Lanka has been cut from a proposed US to US for non-SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperatio [27-11-11]

New Visa Requirements come into effect 01 January 2012

Please note that a new Visa requirement has now been implemented by the Department of Immigration/Emigration. [23-11-11]

Seen on the beach!

Our lovely family from Dubai who recently stayed at The Teak House has sent me an extraordinary photograph - seen on beach! [09-11-11]

Another Successful Trip To Yala

And, more good news on the Yala front. Our lovely family from Dubai were lucky enough to see two leopards in Yala National Park on Tuesday. Wonderful news for all! [03-11-11]

Our Wonderful New Kitchen

It's been a long time in the making but it is well worth it! [31-10-11]

A Sucessfull Trip to Yala National Park

Exciting news from The Teak House this morning! Our guests from Perth, Australia took a trip to Yala National Park yesterday. They saw not one but three leopard! A very good reason to visit Yala out of season. [26-10-11]

A Day of Styling and Shooting

The long anticipated arrival of Mark Forbes of Kulu Safaris fame to photograph The Teak House yesterday. Arriving way ahead of schedule having left Negombo at 04.30, Mark set about capturing the essence of The Teak House experience. [05-10-11]

Pristine and deserted beaches of Tangalle

The Teak House resident frogs love a good dip in whichever loo the inhabitant has succeeded in leaving the lid open on. Hence, in consideration to said frog, I use the other loo to give it a chance to exit when encouraged. Not a bit of it.............Frog No 1 loved its douche so much it invited its friend, Frog No 2. Come on, guys. We know you love water but this is getting ridiculous. Both frogs given a little encouragement to 'hop' it! Loo seat down from now on. [03-10-11]

New kitchen is completed

After a rather prolonged build, The Teak House now has its swanky new kitchen, a six by four metre space reached from the house by a covered walkway. With polished cement floors and worktops, the new kitchen will take the culinary experience at The Teak House into a new league. Pictures of the inside of the kitchen will be available in due course. [30-08-11]

My helpers - how to transport our huge new sofa!

On a recent trip to Sri Lanka, I went in a vegetable van to collect our amazing new sofa, handmade by a clever man just inland from Galle. We needed a lot of help to get it in the van! This is where you realise just how fantastically useful are the discarded outer shell of the coconut - used to protect the edges of the beautiful new sofa from the wire rope required to secure it in the van. [21-07-11]

Sri Lankan Seaplane Service now running to schedule

After a long wait, Sri Lankan Airlines have relaunched the air taxi service from Colombo to Dikwella (five minutes from Teak House by tuk-tuk). You need to book in advance since the service is not operated if there are no advance bookings. Seven days a week, the sea plane comes down from just north of Colombo in the early morning and four days a week, again, in the afternoon. Details are available from The Teak House. [13-07-11]

New Kitchen proceeds apace!

As promised, our new kitchen is beginning to take shape! [30-05-11]

The Teak House will be closed until 30 June 2011 for a major construction project

The Teak House will be closed from the end of April until 30 June 2011. The existing kitchen is being taken out of the living area and a brand new, bespoke kitchen with polished cement worksurfaces and all mod cons is being constructed behind the house, accessible by a covered walkway. [18-04-11]