Based in Mirissa on the South coast of the Island The Spice House is a wonderful, peaceful, family run homestay, the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Situated 1 minute from the loveliest beach in Sri-Lanka - a beautiful calm bay which is protected by a coral reef making it ideal for safe, year round swimming. The clear waters are perfect for snorkeling and turtle spotting and the beach and headland ideal for watching beautiful sunsets.
Sleepy Mirissa itself is a tropical paradise on the South Coast, we are 45 minutes from Galle to the West and only 10 minutes from the larger town of Matara to the East.
The LONELY PLANET GUIDE describes Mirissa as having "a beautiful curve of
sandy beach with calm crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling."
The ROUGH GUIDE says Mirissa is "an intimate and idyllic beach hidden away behind a thick swathe of palm trees."
Built in 2009 using traditional techniques and materials all 9 guest rooms have an Old World Colonial charm with 4 poster beds, high ceilings, balconies with either garden or sea facing views. The light, airy rooms are equipped with eco friendly ceiling fans, traditional wooden furniture, free wi-fi, mini safes, and have cooling polished cement floors and stylish en-suite facilities including solar hot-water showers. All rooms in the main house also have access to a tea station.
Downstairs the house has a television lounge with free Internet access & the back of the property has a large wrap-around veranda facing out onto the garden with steps down onto the swimming pool terrace. the veranda is also where breakfast is served. There is also a relaxation pavilion in the garden and various seating areas from which to enjoy the sound of water splashing in our ponds, the varied bird life or the lovely garden and jungle vistas.
The Spice House is English owned and managed by an experienced traveler and his Sri-Lankan wife and run with the help of friendly enthusiastic staff who's aim is to look after your every need.
The infinity swimming pool is situated in an exquisite natural garden setting with lovely views over the unspoilt surrounding countryside. The half acre garden is filled with palms, scented frangipani, orchids, tropical flowers, a spice garden and a pond and is dotted throughout with hammocks for long, relaxing lazy days.
At The Spice House we promote sustainable living growing our own vegetables, herbs and spices and although its early days we are currently sourcing and planting specimen fruit trees throughout the property and guests are encouraged to pick their own and take as
much or as little interest in growing, harvesting and cooking as they wish. We are also keen nature lovers and like to encourage local wildlife with monkeys, squirrels, kingfishers, green parrots, wild peacocks and colourful butterflies just some of our daily visitors.
We offer breakfast, snack lunches & delicious dinners with much of the produce home grown. Our on- site chef is most accommodating and offers a daily changing dinner menu. My wife's family are Buddhist so we don't tend to serve meat but concentrate on tasty Sri Lankan vegetarian & seafood meals using the freshest of
ingredients - produce from the garden or local vegetable markets & fresh prawns, butter fish, calamari & tuna daily from the fisheries harbour. We also have a barbecue and a clay built bread oven for tasty pizzas.
To keep you entertained The Spice House can offer guests a DVD and book library and satellite TV, as well as "carom" a local board game and chess. For the more active we have table tennis, volleyball, badminton, table football and impromptu cricket matches on the beach!
Mirissa is also one of the best & easiest places in the world to see blue whales as well as dolphins, sperm whales, turtles and flying fish. We can help book one of these boat trips for you as they can get booked up quickly during the peak season - October to May. If you are interested please ask us for this seasons rates.
One of the most popular attractions is the stick fishermen at Ahangama (20 minutes away) nearby at Habaraduwa there is a turtle hatchery & beautiful Koggala lake,
heading further West you will come to Unawatuna beach (40 minutes) and then the World heritage fortress town of Galle (50 minutes) with its cricket stadium, almost traffic free old town, laid back cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. Heading East from Mirissa just the other side of Matara (10km) you will find Dondra lighthouse - the islands Southernmost point.
Thank you for your interest,
Phil & Wathsala
