Our story

The town of Teldeniya, about 40 minutes from the historical city of Kandy, lies on the picturesque banks of the Victoria reservoir. A right turn at the town centre, marked by a clock tower, followed by another quick right turn at the local high school leads you finally to an even smaller rubble road which brings you to Masada. As you enter through the large metal gates, the imposing edifice of the home comes into view and you soon understand why it is named after the byzantine fortress. This large Tuscan style home is built on a rock promontory bounded on three sides by the reservoir.

The design of the house follows the undulations of the rock base: bedrooms are placed at a lower level while the living room and kitchen are placed on the upper level. Each bedroom has its own balcony and provides sweeping views of the lake and hills in the distance. The piece de resistance is the living and dining room which provides a 270-degree view of the surrounding landscape. The garden which skirts around the house contains groves of flowering plants while a large swimming pool is placed at the front of the house with a view of the adjoining hill and reservoir.

The house is decorated and furnished with a treasure trove of European and Asian antiques collected over many decades by the owner. Each piece has been lovingly restored and esthetically displayed throughout the home. The bedrooms have grand fourposter beds, luxurious bathtubs and fluted glass chandeliers. Large shuttered doors open to the balconies and provide both ventilation and shade. Each room is also airconditioned, but we did not use it given the cool breezes off the reservoir.

Our three daily meals were laid out on the balcony adjoining the living room. Each meal is designed around the guest’s culinary requirements and executed to perfection. The menus incorporate a bevy of local fresh produce and imported specialty foods and condiments.

A range of activities are offered from kayaking in the reservoir, numerous nature hikes, visits to tea and spice plantations and a sightseeing tour to Kandy. Given the peaceful setting we were quite content to catch up on our reading and simply enjoy gazing at the everchanging landscape.

Masada is a true a fortress in the hills. A place to escape; where nature’s bounty abounds. A veritable art museum with the finest culinary treats on offer. We could not have chosen a better place to spend our time in Sri Lanka.

Dear Corrie and René and Marc

Thanks a lot for your hospitality. We enjoyed the beautiful service which we received from your fabulous staff including the lavish food and the beautiful drinks of various types.

Lots of best wishes and thanks a lot for the lovely food made by Appu.

We had the most relaxing stay at your grand house. Thanks for welcoming us and looking after us as if we are your own family.

We cannot imagine any better place to stay and will definitely be back. Next time with a longer stay as there is so much to take in. I personally feel that I can just get lost in Masada so that no one can find me!

Lots of best wishes from

テルデニアにある Masadaを拠点に、中部の観光地、キャンディや高原エリアの鉄道の旅を楽しみました。

宿はキャンディから23kmほどです。

ユニークな魅力いっぱいの旅でしたが、The Masadaでの滞在で、さらに特別な、忘れられないひと時を過ごすことができました。

静かで穏やかな自然の中、格調高い調度品に囲まれたお部屋や、思わず時を忘れて眺めてしまうバルコニーからの水辺の風景など、まさに貴族の別邸といった趣です。

ご主人の気さくで愛らしい人柄のおかげで、まるで、家族の一員になれたような、のんびりリラックスした時を過ごせます。
お食事もおいしいです!オススメですよ。

I spent 6 lovely days at Masada and I had an absolutely superb time. To begin with, the villa is beautiful inside and out and surrounded by well manicured exotic trees, plants, and flowers. I felt like I was in a movie. After greeting me with tea and pleasant conversation, the host of the villa gave me a tour. In addition to the house’s elegant architecture, the rooms all have their own character complete with marvelous paintings and modern fixtures. The balcony off of my room looks out over the reservoir, which made for the most perfect way to wake up every day.

The lady of the manor excelled in every aspect of hosting : wonderful conversation during meals and tea time, arranged transport with skilled guide for excursions, talented at cooking, and shared valuable stories and information about local culture and affairs. She anticipated my needs at every turn. Highlights of my stay at Masada include a trip to Sigiriya (it is a must, extraordinary experience!), a visit to the Temple of the Tooth, and simply mealtime at Masada. Both the host and the staff cooks prepared the most delicious meals (lamprais, curries, hoppers, desserts, …)….everything was of a very high quality and always pleased.

I will always remember my stay at Masada and I look forward to going back. I highly recommend Masada to anyone looking for high-end hospitality in an enchanting Tuscan villa on a lake. I can’t thank my host enough for the amounts of care and attention that she showed me, and I hope that others can also experience Masada’s warmth. I sure did enjoy myself.

Ich heisse Tanja Bell.
Komme aus Deutschland -Hamburg und habe im Januar diesen Jahres -2018 ein Zimmer auf Masada bewohnt.
Die Begruessung am Flughafen war ueberaus freundlich, mit einem reibungslosen Transfer nach Masada .
Schon die Fahrt dort hin war beeindruckend. Die Landschaft ein Traum.
Das Wetter vielversprechend schoen, dabei ein angenehmes Klima.
Ankunft auf Masada ebenfalls ueberwaeltigend. Eine wunderschoene Villa mit einen zauberhaften Garten drumherum.
Der Ausblick aus meinem Zimmer, auf den See maerchenhaft schoen.
Das Zimmer mit allem ausgestattet, was zu wuenschen ist. Sauberkeit des Zimmers und der gesamten Anlage unuebertrefflich. Anfrage auf Extras, wurden zeitnah erfuellt.
Die Kueche koestlich und abwechslungsreich. Das Personal ueberaus freundlich und zuvorkommend.
Die Hausherrin eine wahre Lady.
Auf Masada wird die Landessprache, wie Englisch und Deutsch gesprochen, was ein Gefuehl von Sicherheit vermittelt.
Von Masada aus gibt es viele Moeglichkeiten, von Unternehmungen. Der nicht weit entfernte Golfplatz, ein wahres Paradies fuer Golfer, aber auch andere Aktivitaeten laden ein.
Ich habe mich jederzeit sehr willkommen gefuehlt und zu jeder Frage eine kompetente Antwort erhalten.
Ich freue mich schon jetzt, auf meinen naechsten Urlaub auf Masada, der bestimmt nicht lange auf sich warten laesst.
Mit lieben Gruessen

Fred and I spent four magical nights at “Masada” – Corrie and René’s beautiful villa which overlooks the scenic Victoria Dam near Kandy.

The train ride was pre booked in Colombo and we travelled First Class (< A$22 each) to Kandy. We were picked up at the Railway Station and driven 23kms to Teldeniya, past this little township, and down a secluded, bumpy drive to the villa Masada. This excellent boutique homestay is beautifully appointed with the owner’s many books, paintings, cherished antiques, rugs and artworks. The bedrooms are really large with attached en-suites, fans, air conditioners, the most comfortable beds and exquisite linen. Each bedroom has a balcony with a lovely outlook. Masada’s gardens are a tropical delight: bougainvillea, frangipani, ferns, tropical fruit trees and a delightful pond with water lilies is near the entry. This was in 2015...Now there is a swimming pool and a recreation room for visitors to enjoy. The meals were amazing: a great choice of local or Western food. Breakfast was served on the main balcony which overlooks the majestic mountains and the dam lake. Dinner was in the main dining room, enjoyed at a leisurely pace and beautifully served. Wine/beer is available or you may provide your own. Fruit / vegetable juices are freshly made as is the high quality tea, and coffee: both local and imported varieties are available. A trip to Nuwara Eliya was organised and we were taken there and booked into the famous Hills Club for lunch!! Corrie and her driver took us into Kandy where we did quite a bit of shopping at the main centre: smart phone, camera, and personal items. One afternoon we went for drinks and hot cashews to the Victoria Golf & Country Club in Digana... an iconic building with beautifully set out golf links. We visited Helga’s Folly a very “different” hotel for afternoon tea. It had many charming rooms and a great deal of art work painted directly on the walls and doors. Our stay at beautiful Masada was the most blissful restoration time halfway through a sometimes hectic five weeks of touring from Negombo on the west coast, to Trincomalee and down the east coast, round the south coast and back to Colombo!