Brought to you by the founders of The Heritage Café and Bistro in Galle Fort, The Plantation Luxury Villas is the latest venture by power-duo Dale Rennie and Sabrina Van Cleef Ault. [gallery size="full" columns="2" link="file" ids="16140"] Tucked away in a secluded area, a few hundred meters from Koggala Lake in Sri Lanka’s stunning south, The Plantation exhibits an innate environmental consciousness; a testament to the project’s developer – a founder of the globally recognised Paddle for The Planet ocean awareness project – and now in its eighth successful year running, Dale has brought his NPO to the shores of Sri Lanka. Dale has turned his 26-year career in the entertainment industry into developing some spectacular luxury projects, namely the award-winning ultra-luxury cliff-front property Villa Anugrah in Bali, Indonesia. [gallery columns="2" link="file" size="full" ids="16141"] Speaking about tourism and hospitality in the island, Dale was adamant in stating that while Bali is a marketing machine, Sri Lanka certainly has the assets. He said: “I’ve always wanted to be known as an innovator, and I believe that we’ve seen the future with Koggala – it is the next luxury hotel destination in the island.” Dale’s wife and business partner – the creative mind behind The Heritage Café andBistro and now The Plantation Luxury Villas – added to the significance of Koggala as a location: “We were deeply enamoured by the fact that with Koggala, you can be amidst the hustle and bustle of city life and then enter paradise in a mere 20-minute journey.” [gallery size="full" columns="2" link="file" ids="16146"] Sabrina herself boasts of an illustrious 15-year career in the food and beverage industry as well as the entertainment industry spanning over six continents, and she is the original co-Founder and Creative Director for the world famous and highest earning, Uber luxury nightclub brand “Pangaea”. [gallery columns="2" link="file" size="full" ids="16143,16142"] She also added that while they are situated in the Maldives, and many would assume that would naturally be where they would base their next project, “Sri Lanka is simply more exciting than the Maldives right now”. Adding an exciting organic flair to this new development are the designs of celebrated Sri Lankan architect Manjula Kalhara. Manjula, not one to shy away from implementing the unusual, is known for his strong environmental ethos and matchless experience in resort-building. Speaking about their collaborative process, Manjula said: “It was really a meeting of the minds, there was a common understanding.” Dale and Sabrina added to this by stating: “We could’ve easily flown in someone to undertake the development, but we really wanted to stay true to the Lankan feel of it. Local architects are the ones who know their land best, they understand the weather patterns, and they know what feels right.” The Plantation Luxury Villas development offers 14 exclusive one and two-bedroom pool residences, sized from 1204-2650sqm, providing complete privacy and luxury in every detail, with elegantly furnished living rooms, kitchenettes, deluxe bedrooms complete with spacious en-suite bathrooms, and individual plunge pools. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="full" ids="16144,16145"] The resort aims to be a tropical sanctuary – a five-star resort hideaway, offering contemporary modern living. Contemporary interpretations of tropical modernism in design, the villas boast a plethora of indulgent resort facilities. Not forgetting exquisite culinary offerings catered to suit the pangs of every palette. “We are excited to be bringing our signature brand of luxury living and hospitality to a place we have now chosen to call home,” said Dale Rennie, who further added: “Contrary to what has been predicted, Sri Lanka, with its promise of natural beauty and serenity, is still appealing to investors looking for that ideal island get away.” The husband and wife duo are also currently adding the final touches to another ongoing project – a boutique hotel set to open late 2019 in Galle Fort. The fully-furnished and equipped Plantation Luxury Villas are scheduled for completion in January, 2020 and just after a brisk pre-sales, over 50% of the property has already been snapped up by investors. The villas may be purchased for either private usage or placed in the resort’s rental programme for guaranteed 7% per annum returns. For further information on The Plantation Luxury Villas, e-mail mactan@mac.com or visit www.theplantationsrilanka.com To learn more about Paddle for the Planet, visit www.paddlefortheplanet.org   By Dimithri Wijesinghe