Where to Play Golf in Sri Lanka: A Tropical Escape to Victoria Golf & Country Resort

Amazing views, lush greenery and are of 2000 square meters of a golf course… If you want to experience golf in Sri Lanka, this resort is the right place.

This article is written by Marketa Ambrozova, who traveled to Sri Lanka to attend Cinnamon TBC Asia, where VeronikasAdventure.com was nominated as one of the TOP 60 Blogs from around the world.  

Hi there, golf fans! How many of “100 Most beautiful Golf Courses in the World” have you visited? Me at least one – Victoria Golf & Country Resort in Sri Lanka. It was designed by Donal Steel & Co in 1997 and its one of the best places to play golf in Sri Lanka.

There is everything you could possibly need to enjoy a great game – 18-hole golf course designed to U.S.G.A. standards, driving range for 40 people and two practice bunkers, practice putting green. Beautiful scenery and breathtaking views on Victoria Dam surrounded by high hills are included in the experience 🙂

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Check out my other post 7 Days in Sri Lanka Itinerary: It’s all about visiting the highlights without going crazy.

Location of Victoria Golf & Country Resort

The resort is located 25 kilometers west from Kandy, Sri Lanka. The nearest airport is 130 kilometers away in Colombo: the journey from Bandaranaike International Airport to the resort takes about 3 hours 40 minutes.

Interested to read more on Colombo? Check my other article One Day In Colombo.

Unless you have a private transportation from Colombo, it is a great idea to travel between Colombo and Kandy by train. You get to experience the local way of travel and seeing Sri Lanka from the train is indeed special. When getting from the Kandy railway station to the Victoria Golf & Country Resort, you should be counting with about one hour of travel time.

The location itself is quite special: nestled away amid lush greenery, the resort and its golf courses are stretching across a spacious are of more than 2000 square meters.

My room at Victoria Golf & Country Resort

During my stay at I got a bungalow very close to swimming pool and tennis court, which is by one of the best locations at all in the resort What was the best about my room? I loved the bathroom – it had a glass roof. Pity I did not have some boyfriend with me, I would enjoy it even more J

The room included an including huge bathtub, terrace, and big screen. All rooms including mine had an air-conditioning. It is a good idea to give hints about your preferences when it comes to the location of bungalows: Some bungalows can be far away from the restaurant. Somebody likes privacy, somebody not…

Service and the facilities

As said before, this resort is one of the best places to play golf in Sri Lanka. The golf course is big and all the other facilities you might need to enjoy your game without having had to worry.

In case forget some of your equipment at home, this resort has you covered:  there is also a well-stocked pro shop where you can make your golf set complete. For those who are lazy and have a sufficient amount of money in their pocket can have a golf cart, caddie and ball boy team. But c’mon – golf is a sport, do not be lazy. They cook very well there so you need to maintain your initial weight 🙂

If this is your first time to give golf to try, Victoria Golf Academy is at your disposal: local experts can organize training or teaching camps for all levels. If you fall in love with the course you can become a member. There are several options – individual, family, junior membership (also overseas and corporate membership)- There is a variety of tournaments each year cumulating with Club Championship.

 

Tennis court

I am more in tennis too. You will understand when watching me playing golf. And you know what? There is a grass tennis court. Racquets and balls are available at the front desk. I have never played tennis on grass before. I need a little bit more time and praxis to beat Roger, but I am getting there.

There is one tennis court, I have to say that the net is a bit older and seem to be very “tired”, however it is there. And to play tennis there is very good for your stamina – the fence is so low that you will run around the course in order to collect all your tennis balls. In case you will have all of them in the end of your game I have great admiration for you.

Swimming pool

Having children with you? No worries, they can enjoy a 25 metres long swimming pool and you can join after golf and enjoy Jacuzzi with a drink after. The swimming pool is usually available from 7 am to 7 pm. In the meantime, you can have a game of table tennis which is next to the swimming pool. Equipment is available.

Croquet

Crocquet is another option how to spent time. Croquet lawns are available for hotel guests.

Tailor-made dinner/ breakfast

If you want to surprise your partner (whatever we imagine under this term) you can discuss with the resort management the opportunities to make a dinner on a golf course for example. We were a group of 15 people and it was amazing! I have experienced a wedding here, too. The resort offers a wide range of options many options for personal or group events.

Exploring the region

You can explore the resort on a bike – ask for a cycling-guide map and enjoy! If case you are in horses, you can enjoy a scenic horse riding trek. It is suitable for both adult and children.

I went for a nature track with Cinnamon Nature Trails. Unfortunately, we were not lucky weather so we had to spend like 30 minutes under shelf but also this time was very interesting since our guide made it very entertaining. Nature is all around you so there is always something to look at and speak about. There are over 100 species of birds, three kinds of deer, mongoose, fishing cats and many more.

However, Cinnamon Nature Trails offer some more trips: I have done a safari with them, too. It is worth checking their tours out.

Would you like to see elephants in the wild? Check out my other post on Minneriya National Park Jeep Safari.

In case you are in cultural heritage, you can visit Kandy for example – Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic – one of the most sacred places for Buddhists. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. Also, the food market is worth the visit.

Prices and booking

The prices are starting at USD 37 for the Deluxe Chalet that can accommodate 3 people.  This price is excluding breakfast. You can visit the hotel’s website for more info about various rooms. Check availability and rates here.