Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Directions to get there?
From Hikkaduwa railway station, take the coast road to Galle. Left onto Baddegama Road to the Ganapinuwala clock tower. Turn right onto Berathuduwa Road until you arrive at a junction signposted Mangrovia restaurant. Take that turn left and follow the road turning right. You will reach a sharp right bend on an incline. Take that bend, the road goes downhill, you will see The Retreat at the end of that road behind the double gates.
If you have your own driver, we do suggest you ask your driver to call Channa for directions if he is not local, as we are somewhat off the beaten track.
What are the telephone numbers for the drivers?
We have 2 drivers we prefer to use as we have vetted them, they are reliable, and their vehicles are properly maintained.
Sanji 0094 776254265
Upul 0094 777292532
Should I take foreign currency?
First of all, try to avoid the exchange bureaus at airports or in major tourist areas, even if they promise you a “no-fee exchange” or “0% commission” as they hide their fees in poor exchange rates. You will end up paying way more than you would have if you had simply withdrawn money from an ATM.
One tip using an ATM abroad, never use a currency conversion. This is called dynamic currency conversion (DCC). If you pay or withdraw in your home currency merchants will charge exorbitant exchange rates, much more than the real mid market rate. ATM’s pocket the difference between their weak rate and the real rate. It is a form of hidden fee
It is best to open a multi-currency account with a digital bank, then you can avoid the currency exchange process altogether as it will be treated as a local customers card when you spend money or withdraw cash. These cards convert your money at the actual mid market rate and instead charge low fixed fees per transfer and have a fee free monthly allowance (usually £200)
We can personally recommend so called “borderless accounts” with Monzo, Revolut, and Wise (Transferwise).
Toggle Title
Toggle Content
What is the house address?
The Retreat, Rathgama Lake, Berathuduwa (off Pinkandra Road), Dodanduwa, Nr Hikkaduwa, Galle District, Sri Lanka 80250.
Can we arrange your airport transfer?
Of course we can. We simply need your flight number and expected time of arrival at Colombo airport. You will be met in arrivals by a driver with a name board.
Where to buy tickets?
You can buy this online before you travel or apply at the airport on arrival. Click onto the following link. The current cost is $50 online for 30 0r 180 days, or $60 at port of entry.
How do I get there?
From Thiranagama Railway Station (Hikkaduwa), turn left onto Pinkanda Road and follow this road all the way to the junction at the Galle-Elpitiya Road (B106), Gonapinuwala Road. You will see a signpost for The Retreat on the left. Turn left and follow this road, take the first turn right to the crossing , take the right fork where there is another signpost for The Retreat to the end of the road, where you will find the gates to the house.
What is the cost of the airport transfer?
The current cost is 35,000 rupee one way in an air conditioned mini bus which seats 6 adults, (if more than 6 adults are traveling please speak to Upul) or a car for couples.The transfer should be paid in cash to the driver in local currency (LKR, Sri Lankan rupee). There is a cashpoint/ATM at the services on the highway or you can purchase currency at the airport.
What are the telephone numbers for the drivers?
We have a team of 3 drivers we prefer guests to use as we have vetted them, they are reliable and their vehicles are properly maintained.
- Channa : 0094 777118035
- Upul : 0094 777292532
- Sanje : 0094 776254265
Is there air conditioning?
There are air con units in all 3 bedrooms. There is no air con downstairs, but there are ceiling fans throughout the house. The lofty ceilings and cool cement floors keep the property cool and airy. We politely request you keep the air con use to a minimum as the cost of electricity on the island is very expensive and to reduce our carbon footprint. We prefer to use them to cool down the rooms at night before retiring to bed or taking a shower and then letting the fans disperse the cooler air through the night. We have had sensor timers fitted that will automatically switch off the air con if you leave it on by mistake.
Is smoking allowed?
Yes, but outside only. Strictly no drugs, including cannabis/weed which unfortunately is freely available in Hikkaduwa. Drug supply and use is illegal in Sri Lanka and carries the death penalty. Any guest found to be taking drugs on the property will be requested to leave early as we do not want the reputation of The Retreat tarnished by such behaviour
Is the house purely self catering?
Whilst the house is self catering, we do have an onsite housekeeping team who can prepare delicious meals for you, breakfast and lunch or dinner. You will be required to pay for ingredients “as you go” and to pay a tip at the end of your stay in cash. As a guideline, one meal for a party of 6 persons, we suggest a minimum of 5,000 rupees per meal occasion.Our housekeepers will clean the house and pool, change bedlinen twice weekly and assist with your washing, if you choose
What is the address?
The Phoenix Retreat, Rathgama Lake, Berathuduwa Road, Pinkanda, Dodanduwa, Nr. Hikkaduwa, Galle District, Sri Lanka 80250.
How do I apply for a visa?
You can buy this online before you travel or apply at the airport on arrival. The cost currently is $50 (£42.30) online or $60 at port of entry for a 30 day tourist visa. You may apply online to extend this for up to 180 days with no extra charge. See the following link: www.eta.gov.lk
Feel free to ask! we will be happy to help you..
LOOKING FOR INFO?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the address?
The Phoenix Retreat, Rathgama Lake, Berathuduwa Road, Pinkanda, Dodanduwa, Nr. Hikkaduwa, Galle District, Sri Lanka 80250.
Can we arrange your airport transfer?
Of course we can. We simply need your flight number, date and expected time of arrival at Colombo airport. You will be met in arrivals by a driver with a name board. The cost is 35,000 rupees one way in an air conditioned mini bus which seats 6 adults (if more than 6 persons travelling please enquire with Upul). The transfer should be paid in cash to the driver in local currency (LKR, Sri Lankan rupee). There is a cashpoint/ATM at the services on the highway.
Should I take foreign currency?
First of all, try to avoid the exchange bureaus at airports or in major tourist areas, even if they promise you a “no-fee exchange” or “0% commission” as they hide their fees in poor exchange rates. You will end up paying way more than you would have if you had simply withdrawn money from an ATM.
One tip using an ATM abroad, never use a currency conversion. This is called dynamic currency conversion (DCC). If you pay or withdraw in your home currency merchants will charge exorbitant exchange rates, much more than the real mid market rate. ATM’s pocket the difference between their weak rate and the real rate. It is a form of hidden fee
It is best to open a multi-currency account with a digital bank, then you can avoid the currency exchange process altogether as it will be treated as a local customers card when you spend money or withdraw cash. These cards convert your money at the actual mid market rate and instead charge low fixed fees per transfer and have a fee free monthly allowance (usually £200)
We can personally recommend so called “borderless accounts” with Monzo, Revolut, and Wise (Transferwise).
Who should we use for trips and tours?
The same drivers have a dedicated website: www.hikkasurf.com which you can view to give ideas about trips and bespoke tours. Upul will arrange these for you and quote an individual price. Please ensure you tell him you are our guests
How long is the transfer from the airport?
Hikkaduwa is between 1 ½ to 2 hours from the airport via the southern expressway, where there is a good services area and nice toilets, restaurants, a coffee shop for a comfort break and ATM’s.
How far is the house from bars and restaurants?
Most restaurants and bars are in Hikkaduwa which can be reached in 5 minutes by tuk tuk. Our favourite restaurants are A2, Moonlight, Moonbeam, Mamas, JLH, Mamas, Chill Space, Differente Italian, Top Secret, Home Grown, Nordic House, Dolphin, No.1 Rotty Shop to name but a few. We have a book with recommendations and business cards.
For bars with dancing (all outdoor), there is Funky De Bar on Thursday, Vibration on Friday and Mambos/ Chill Space on Saturday. Check out our facebook page for upcoming events.
Supermarkets and shopping
As above you will find a good range of shops in Hikkaduwa and Galle has an even better selection. Best value is branches of Food City, and Keels in Galle. Sandhigiri in Hikkaduwa is a little more pricey and geared for tourists but has a better election of imported goods and a separate bakery, beer and wine store.
We can also recommend the outdoor fish market and fruit and veg market next door in Hikkaduwa, as well as the meat shop, all withing a short walking distance of each other. You will find them opposite Commercial Bank.
What is the neighbourhood like and is it safe for families?
Can we remind you it is “a retreat” and as the names suggests is in a quiet residential area, so we ask that you respect this.
There is complete privacy, the house is set in its own grounds of 97 perches (just less than 2/3 acre) and is at the end of an unmade road, so very peaceful. The house sits on Rathgama lake and borders the jungle to the west.
Our housekeeper provides security 24 hours a day and he or another member of the team will stay on site in the housekeeping cottage overnight.
The Villa itself is very safe as long as children are supervised in the normal manner, given the lake frontage and the pool is immediately in front of the house. The pool is 2 meters or 6 1/2 ft deep at the deep end.
A housekeeper is always on site and is diligent, but is not responsible to supervise your children.
The house and grounds are private and gated. The grounds are gentle slopes and the lake is protected by dense vegetation along much of the perimeter. As with any tropical country, care is required when approaching the local wildlife. Expect to see leaf monkeys, monitor lizards, chipmunks,gheckos, mongoose, fruit bats and sometimes porcupine and snakes
The stairs inside the villa are secure with handrails and full balustrades.
We have had many families visiting to date without any issues.
Entertainment
We have a full size table tennis table with accessories, a smart TV (we suggest you bring your own amazon firestick plug in, connect to our wifi and play), a DVD player with a huge selection of DVD’s, bookshelf crammed with books, both fiction and non fiction, card deck.
Wifi
We provide free wifi but if you exceed our monthly data limit (with streaming) you may be asked to pay to top up.
Our password will be provided on arrival and is displayed on a chalk board downstairs.
How do I apply for a visa?
You can buy this online before you travel or apply at the airport on arrival. The cost currently is $50 (£42.30) online or $60 at port of entry for a 30 day tourist visa. You may apply online to extend this for up to 180 days with no extra charge. See the following link: www.eta.gov.lk
What are the directions to get there?
From Hikkaduwa railway station, take the coast road to Galle. Left onto Baddegama Road to the Ganapinuwala clock tower. Turn right onto Berathuduwa Road until you arrive at a junction signposted Mangrovia restaurant. Take that turn left and follow the road turning right. You will reach a sharp right bend on an incline. Take that bend, the road goes downhill, you will see The Retreat at the end of that road behind the double gates.
If you have your own driver, we do suggest you ask your driver to call Channa for directions if he is not local, as we are somewhat off the beaten track.
What are the telephone numbers for the drivers?
We have 2 drivers we prefer to use as we have vetted them, they are reliable, and their vehicles are properly maintained.
Sanji 0094 776254265
Upul 0094 777292532
What is the phone number for the manager?
Channa 0094 777118035
How many guests can the house accommodate?
A maximum of 8 persons. The villa is 3 bedroomed but accommodates 8 (4 in the master bedroom with 2 on full size single (plug in) inflatables. There is a supplement of £20 per night per guest for more than 6 guests.
Is the house purely self catering?
Whilst the house is designed for self catering, our housekeeping team are happy to prepare delicious meals for you, breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will be required to pay for ingredients “as you go” (save for cooking oil and spices) and to pay for cooking services at the end of your stay in cash. As a guideline, for 2 meals a day and for a party of 6 persons, we suggest a tip of at least 5000 rupees (less than £12 currently)
Our housekeeper will clean the house and pool, change bedding and towels twice a week and assist with your washing, if required, within the cost of your stay.
How far is the house from the beach?
Our guests go to nearby Hikkaduwa which is the closest beach by tuk tuk (about 5km). You should expect to pay 800 rupee (less than £2) one way.
There is a safe swimming area near the Coral Gardens and you can feed the turtles at the beach by Hikkatranz Hotel.
There are also some lovely beaches not too far away by tuk tuk “down south”; we recommend Jungle Beach in Galle, Unawatuna and Mirissa.
What back up is there in the event of a power or water supply failure?
The island does on occasion experiences power outages. Usually these are at a regular time of the day or night and so can be accommodated, however, we have a small generator to power fans and provide lighting.
In the event of lightening and storms, our housekeeper will turn off the electric supply to the house for your own protection, however the house is fitted with a robust Lightening Protection System
There is a reserve tank if mains water fails but in times of drought you may experience water shortages when the mains water supply is turned off temporarily by the water board.
Guest reviews and recommendations
There is a book for guest comments.
Please also refer to Tripadvisor, Airbnb, Houfy for past guest reviews
Our website is www.thephoenixretreatsrilanka.com and be sure to check in at our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/phoenixretreatsrilanka to keep up to date with local events.