From our home to yours
Welcome to Idal Villa and Idal Cottage
In the serene hills of Haputale, Sri Lanka, Idal Villa stands as a testament to the vision and resilience of its founders, Darshana and Darshi. Darshana, a seasoned banker with a 32-year career in corporate management, including banking operations, investment banking, finance, and marketing, sought a quieter life after taking early retirement. The hustle of high-level banking had been rewarding, but the call of the hills proved stronger. After an extensive search, Darshana discovered the perfect location in Haputale, a place that promised tranquility and a connection to nature. Initially, he built a villa as a personal retreat, envisioning it as his retirement haven. However, as the project evolved, it transformed into something far greater—a high-end boutique villa that now supports an entire community.
The journey of Idal Villa began modestly. Darshana constructed a cozy cottage on the property, originally intended for guests. However, when the cottage was completed before the main villa, Darshana and Darshi, his partner, found its quaint charm irresistible. They decided to make the cottage their home and offer the larger villa to guests instead. This pivotal decision marked the beginning of Idal Villa’s transformation into a boutique retreat. Through a mutual friend, they connected with Jean Marc Flambert of Secrets of Ceylon, who recognized the potential of the property. He encouraged them to convert the villa into a luxury accommodation. However, with only three rooms, the villa alone was insufficient to meet the demands of a high-end boutique experience. Thus, the cottage was repurposed to accommodate guests, and the couple built a separate annex for their own use.
Darshana’s expertise in finance and marketing proved invaluable as he oversaw the construction of Idal Villa from scratch. The project faced significant challenges, including the global COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka’s economic collapse. Despite these setbacks, Darshana and Darshi persevered, turning adversity into opportunity. The economic crisis left many families in the village destitute, and the couple seized the chance to make a difference. They employed and trained local villagers, transforming them into service-oriented staff. Today, Idal Villa supports 12 families through direct employment and indirect income from the sale of local produce and services. For many in the village, the villa’s existence is a lifeline, fostering economic stability and community resilience.
Darshi, with her 25 years of experience in the outbound tourism industry, brought a wealth of knowledge to the project. As a founder of Qwest Destinations, she had deep expertise in leisure travel and the tourism supply chain. During the pandemic, she exited her stake in the company to join Darshana in Haputale, embracing the rural lifestyle and contributing her skills to Idal Villa. Her insights into guest expectations and operational efficiency elevated the villa’s offerings, ensuring a seamless and luxurious experience for visitors.
Together, Darshana and Darshi have created more than just a boutique villa; they have built a legacy of community empowerment and sustainable tourism. Idal Villa is a haven of elegance and warmth, reflecting the couple’s dedication to their vision and the people of Haputale.
