Travelling a distance of 115km into the interior of the island from the capital of Colombo, through the iconic city of Kandy, and from there along the Kandy-Mahiyangana Road, is Digana, home to the renowned Victoria Golf Course, a 517-acre property set in the lush hills of the Knuckles Range on the shores of the Victoria Reservoir.
Spreading over peaks and slopes with vast Victoria Reservoir breathing soothing breeze, Victoria Golf Course is as fine as any in the world. Still more it’s awarded as the finest and the most immaculately maintained golf course in the Indian subcontinent for several years and voted ‘Best in Asia 2013’ by Asian Golf Monthly. The 6,877m (par 73) golf course which has made the full use of features of the terrain, undulating hillside and majestic forests. Golfers Digest ranks it in top 100 Most Beautiful Courses in the World.
From there, a well-treaded gravel road takes you to No.21, Coconut Hill – a hillock overlooking the Victoria Golf Club. Atop this beautiful hillock rests the Residence Digana, like a veritable pearl of unspoilt beauty amidst an expanse of palm trees. The view from there is nothing short of breathtaking – the Golf Course and the Victoria Reservoir against the idyllic backdrop of the Knuckles Range.
The elegant, yet sophisticated interior of Dutch-inspired décor welcomes you to this retreat draped on a picturesque hillside. From the outset, the arched windows framed in wooden louvers gives a fairy-tale feel of a hideout castle. The entrance opens directly into an airy and well lit living room, the equally or larger dining room opens into a courtyard, aka a ‘meda midula’, featuring a vertical garden amidst a luxuriant screen of vegetation. A pettagama (Dutch box) with a delicate ebony border is placed on the side, shelving a standing horse, a symbol of physical and spiritual vitality and freedom, setting the tone for the serenity to come.
In between the dining and living stands in all its glory the Dutch Bar, a testimony to the Dutch heritage in Sri Lanka – closer inspection reveals that it is assembled out of small doors, finding a new use of old doors other than keeping storms and intruders out! Versatile in its use, this is also used as a breakfast bar.
If the Dutch box at the entrance failed to leave its mark on you, be sure not to miss the one at the entrance to the dining hall. Perhaps six times as large as the former, this unique collector’s item boasts a linage of not less than two centuries. Above the pettagama sitting firm on the wall in a perpendicular posture is a unique and rare finding of a Crest of the Imperial Crown of Austria, the Coat of Arms of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.
The dining table, which seats eight people comfortably, displays intricate carvings, majestic enough to host candle lit dinners, still simple enough for an early supper – yet another alternate use of a decorated door! A dog-legged staircase leads up to the first floor to a TV lounge, which also serves as an enclosed second sitting room. Decorated with single vintage beds adorned in earth coloured cushioning and an almairah from the Kandyan era, adds cosy intimacy and a touch of sophistication to the Dutch undertone of this mansion.
Residence Digana is a brand new Boutique Villa offering four en-suite Luxury Rooms including two Deluxe Rooms. It boasts of an Ultra-Superior Master Bedroom named Tee-One overlooking the Golf Course – tastefully decorated, the room is a classic marriage of vintage design with the comforts of a modern bedroom.
Tee-Two is a Superior Room with a spacious balcony overlooking the pool, perfect for star gazing, or just watching the clouds pass by. Tee-Three is a large room with a four-poster bed and Tee-Four is a Twin Room on the ground floor. All rooms are air conditioned and come with tea/coffee making facilities, spacious toilets, toiletries and hair dryers.The Villa blends beautifully with the enchanting splendour of the scenic beauty of its natural setting and the waterways which flow lazily. Lending an air of romance and a touch of elegance, the infinity pool has a solar cover heating the water to lukewarm temperature to match the salubrious environment of Digana – making the perfect setting for either a quick dip after a good game of golf or to lounge all day relaxing in the sunken seat gazing at the vanishing edge over the Golf Course and the turquoise waters of the Reservoir.
A hot Western breakfast is provided to all guests. It’s recommended that you use the Club House restaurant that serves an array of Western and Eastern food. Quick delivery of food could also be arranged for which settlements needs to be made by cash to the delivery boy. They are also able to prepare food for guests by shopping or letting guests shop and cooking the food for the guests in the well-equipped, stainless steel kitchen. A usage fee will be levied.
Tea and coffee is on the house but guests have to bring their other beverages of choice including alcohol. A limited menu with soft drinks is made available. The Manager Vernon and his assistant Niluare are ever ready to help.
Spa treatment are available from an experienced male masseur with over 25 years of service in some of the biggest spas in Sri Lanka. His specialty is a 100-minute full-body Ayurvedic oil massage from head to toe in the comfort of your room. He is on call Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Residence Digana is a place to relax, unwind and to forget about everything. Set in the panorama of the Victoria Golf Course, Victoria Reservoir and the Knuckles Mountain range with rooms which favour particular views, this is indeed a oasis which stands testimony to true Sri Lankan hospitality.
