Saffron & Blue is a hidden gem of a villa, sitting pretty amidst lush tropical greenery on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Cool and traditional at the same time, the villa boasts a vibrant history dating back twenty-odd years. Several visitors have celebrated their anniversaries here and a few couples haven even gotten engaged within the villa’s walls.
Arriving at Saffron & Blue
Not many villa managers take such great care in welcoming their guests. Though I had already visited Sri Lanka a few times, this was my first opportunity to participate in a traditional local welcoming ceremony which involves all guests lighting up candles which had been beautifully laid around an antique plate. After the brief ceremony, the staff offered us cool towels (what a relief after a long haul flight and a car ride!) and ice-cold drinks.
Relaxed Living at Saffron & Blue
Staying in a private villa with a villa manager, butlers and chef to take care of your every need can certainly feel like an extravagance. Imagine yourself lounging by the pool, dreaming about a cold coconut – and voilà – one appears right next to you, as if by magic. From organising baby equipment to sorting out special dietary requirements and navigating airport transfers, all of our needs were met in no time at all.
Authentic Sri Lankan Cuisine at the Villa
Due to the dietary restrictions of some of our group members, we couldn’t try the full spectrum of Sri Lankan cuisine. Luckily, there is an amazing variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes to choose from! Curries and dhals, fresh salads and steamed vegetables, sambals and chutneys – these are only a few of the authentic local dishes we were treated to at Saffron & Blue. Each meal was complemented by exotic fruit, mouth-watering desserts and fresh juices and further elevated by the beautiful table settings which echoed the colour palette of the decor.
Saffron & Blue Location
On the third day of our stay, we were finally able to tear ourselves away from the charming villa, eager to explore the neighbourhood. The villa manager recommended visiting a turtle conservation centre which was located only around 100 metres from the villa. You have two options for getting there: you can walk along the beach which is of course completely free of charge and offers splendid natural scenery, but is only possible on low to mid-tide; or you can take a short tuk-tuk ride right to the hatchery’s front door. Since my toddler refused to hop on the vehicle, I chose the walking route, and indeed, it was only a six-minute walk along the beach to get to the hatchery.
For those looking to explore’s Sri Lanka’s spectacular natural beauty, you can find a boat service offering scenic tours along mangroves and up to the cinnamon plantations close to the estate.
Take a Tour of Saffron & Blue Villa
But alas, all good things must come to an end and it was time for us to move on and relocate to the lovely Villa Republic Bentota and to explore other parts of Sri Lanka. Check out the video below to see why we enjoyed our stay at Saffron & Blue so much.
