Grandpa's Journey
A Jaffna villa experience like no other
Nestled in nature, our cottages blend rustic charm with modern comfort. Wake up to birdsong, breathe fresh air, and feel rejuvenated.
Our story began with a simple dream, to create a cozy, welcoming retreat where people could disconnect from the hustle of everyday life and reconnect with what truly matters.
Every detail, from the rustic wooden beams to the scent of fresh wildflowers in your room, reflects our love for this land and our desire to share its beauty with others. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or inspiration, we invite you to make memories here that last a lifetime.
History of Grandpa's Villa
The original house was built around 150 years ago, on land purchased approximately 30 years before that. For over a century, it has stood proudly in the same spot, a timeless witness to generations gone by.
With a rich and fascinating history, the home was the first mason-built residence in Urelu, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Its blue Italian marble floors and dual kitchens, one for vegetarian and one for non-vegetarian cooking, reflected both luxury and cultural tradition. The house featured four bedrooms, though true to the customs of the time, the toilets were located outdoors, away from the main building. Bathing was done at the well outside, a well that still exists today, lovingly preserved and covered.
Grandpa’s Villa stands as a testament to the lifelong wish of Yogarajah to preserve his ancestral home and share it with others, blending heritage with modern comfort.
When the restoration began, every piece of the original structure that had to be dismantled was carefully kept on the land, ensuring the foundation remained true to its roots. Many of the wooden doors, windows, and even the iron window bars are original.
Rebuilding the old house was no easy feat. The techniques and materials once used were long forgotten, crafted by skilled masons who used unique natural materials like coral, banana, brown sugar, and sand to bond the blocks. It’s a blend no one today can fully replicate, much like the mysteries behind how the pyramids were built centuries ago.
The villa has been painstakingly and lovingly restored, now complete with modern comforts and amenities, yet it still feels like stepping into another time. For us, it’s truly a home away from home, and we hope it feels the same for you.
For more information about the property, please email us at grandpasvillajaffna@gmail.com.
Civil war.
The house was used by the Sri Lankan army as a garrison headquarters during the Civil War in the country and then taken over by my father and I after the Civil War in Sri Lanka.
It was meant to be restored to its original glory. However, due to the shelling it received and the lack of a foundation, the original house began to tilt and fall, losing tiles and pieces of mortar along the way.
Rebuilding the house.
After speaking to at least 5 engineers, it was decided that the house could not be saved but it could be built to its original design (with some modifications like having attached toilets and bathrooms, modern necessities). So an architect from Singapore was called and he did the measurements and drew the house as it was built originally. Pictures of the recovered house and its original drawing can be seen on the walls of the house.
