Amanwella
Situated in a mature coconut grove above a tropical beach on the southern tip of the country's Indian Ocean coastline, this is coastal luxury at its most chic.
Situated mostly on the hillside, the Suites have views of the coconut grove and ocean. Floor-to-ceiling glass and latticed panels open onto a private courtyard and plunge pool, with the terrace side opposite affording open views. The contemporary design of the resort is also sympathetic to the surroundings; distinctive terracotta roof tiles, hand-hewn stone walls, water features, terrazzo floors and sliding terrace doors. The central swimming pool has uninterrupted views of the palms, beach and sea beyond and the superb spa uses locally sourced products. Restaurant cuisine is Asian and Mediterranean with an emphasis on local seafood. The Pool Terrace is ideal for alfresco dining, or The Beach Club provides an alternative venue for lunch and private dinners. The menu includes simple Asian salads, Mediterranean classics, and seafood cooked over a coconut charcoal barbeque.
Why We Love It
Nature rules in this part of the world and Amanwella's setting makes it possible to see giant turtles on neighbouring beaches, or elephant herds in nearby national parks.
Amangalla
Step back in time to the site of the famous 19th century New Oriental Hotel and allow yourself to be pampered by exquisite Aman hospitality and style.
The ultimate in colonial charm, from the swimming pool in the frangipani scented gardens, shaded by palms and rest pavilions, to the period furniture, antiques, polished floors, and the afternoon Ceylon tea and scones. In addition to the 28 rooms and suites in the main building or dotted around the gardens, many with four poster beds, the Garden House is a two storey private house with one bedroom, its own sitting room, terrace and balcony and a private butler. Facilities include a library, and a comprehensive spa, called The Baths, harking back to the days of 'taking the waters'. The five softly lit treatment chambers lead off an arched hallway. Guests are well catered for and can choose from snacks and light meals in the Great Hall, drinks and tea on the verandah, poolside service, or formal dinner in the Dining Room.
Why We Love It
A tranquil and elegant base from which to explore the culture and tumultuous history of Galle Fort and Galle, the capital of the Southern Province.
The Last House
From the inspirational architect Geoffrey Bawa comes The Last House, nestled away in tropical gardens on the stunning southern coastline of Sri Lanka near Tangalle.
Feel at home in one of the six individually fashioned rooms, filled with a mix of antiques, local art and contemporary furnishings and boasting picturesque views of the Indian Ocean. For larger groups, the hotel can be booked as a whole to accommodate up to 14 guests.
Dine al fresco at the hotel, where experienced chefs offer fresh, wholesome seafood dishes, curated from the finest local ingredients. Alternatively, you can enjoy private dining on your veranda, or - for couples enjoying an intimate, secluded escape - treasure a romantic meal for two on the beach as the sun sets over the ocean.
The Last House facilitates a range of experiences. Borrow bikes to explore the local area, hire a small fishing boat to explore the coastline, snorkel around nearby bays and unwind on untouched beaches. For those looking to rebalance their body, the hotel can organise a luxurious Ayurvedic massage in one of the nearby spas; the ultimate indulgence that will leave you feeling perfectly pampered.
Why We Love It
The Last House is so-called because it was the architectural swansong of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's most respected architect who blended Sri Lanka's rich cultural past with a clean modernity.
The Fortress
The Fortress is a boutique resort on one of the south coast's most expansive sandy beaches, Koggala Beach. Only 10 miles from the historic city of Galle the building design and interior furnishings successfully blend traditional Dutch, Portuguese and Sri Lankan architecture with contemporary design.
The 53 rooms are styled after the historical city with white washed walls and boast super king sized beds with private courtyards or balconies commanding sea or garden views. The Fortress Room sleeps two adults whilst the Beach Room has a Jacuzzi and the Ocean Loft has views of the Indian Ocean.
Dining can be enjoyed at the Pepper and Heat restaurant where international and Sri Lankan cuisine is served. For romantic, candlelit, fine dining Duo has you covered with a glass wine cellar and crystal cutlery.
Facilities at the resort include an art gallery (showcasing local artists), a turtle hatchery, swimming pool, the Lime spa (with ayurvedic therapies), a kids club, library, wine cave and tea guides.
For those wanting to venture further afield, cultural visits to temples, tea plantations and Yala National Park can easily be arranged by the staff.
Why We Love It
The hotel offers a twilight spa experience under stars that's not to be missed.
Apa Villa Thalpe
Just five miles from the UNESCO fortress port of Galle, Apa Thalpe is located right on the beach.
There are just seven suites housed in three villas - Cinnamon, Cardamon and Safron - and suites can be rented individually, or the villas as a whole. The rooms are simply decorated but have spacious living areas and spectacular views looking out to the infinity pool and sea.
Breakfast is served on the private veranda of your suite, and is a mix of Sri Lankan delicacies and international fare. Lunch and dinner can be eaten anywhere, from the beach deck to the shade of the coconut palms on the beach. Guests can also use the restaurant at the hotel's sister property, Apa Villa Illuketia, a few miles inland.
Many guests choose simply to relax on the beach or by the pool, but watersports are available on the nearby beaches of Unawatuna and Mirissa. Other activities include sailing, surfing, fishing, sea kayaking and snorkelling.
Why We Love It
This is one of the best places to see the iconic Sri Lankan stilt fishermen at work.
Frangipani Tree
Frangipani Tree is an oasis of calm on Sri Lanka's south coast, with the emphasis firmly on R&R.
There are just nine rooms in three separate villas named Hawksbill, Leatherback and Olive Ridley in honour of the three endangered species of giant turtle that come to lay their eggs on the beautiful beach.
The stylish, minimalist interiors were designed by Channa Daswatte, a protégé of the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, with a distinct absence of technology also designed to encourage guests to decompress with the soothing sound of the ocean an ever present backdrop.
Sadly the sea itself is too rough for swimming, but a ten minute tuk tuk ride away are the lovely beaches of Wijiya and Unawatuna, while the gorgeous hotel pool should also satisfy any waterbabies.
The hotel restaurant is renowned for serving some of the best food in Sri Lanka, with the icing on the cake the evening four course set menu including specialities such as crab curry and which is so popular that booking is strongly advisable.
Guests can work off dinners on the hotel tennis court, and the helpful onsite team can also arrange massages.
Why We Love It
You can often see giant sea turtles bobbing around in the surf just offshore, and if you're lucky you may see one come ashore to lay eggs in the soft white sand of the beach.
Skye House
Skye House is a private beach front villa that sits close to the historic town of Galle. The south facing property is just steps from the beach and provides a welcome escape for families and friends alike.
The vast property expands around a central pond with five en-suite bedrooms in total including two master suites. The children's room boasts six bunk-beds and each bed playfully dons colourful patterned sheets.
When it comes to dining, the in-house staff will ensure the fridge is well stocked with locally sourced ingredients, and then it's over to the in-house chef who creates a menu of favourite Sri Lankan dishes which can be enjoyed in the spacious dining room or aside the pool.
The property has a designated children's play area with climbing rope, swings, monkey bars and a pirate cabin for the ultimate garden adventure. Other facilities include a generous outdoor pool with sun loungers and a terrace table to enjoy breakfast al fresco.
As the property sits right by the beach guests can enjoy lounging on the sands or take a dip in the ocean (swimming is seasonal). If you venture out of the villa then a handful of local shops, inviting restaurants and Galle Fort sits nearby, entertaining both the shopaholics and the culture vultures.
Why We Love It
The views from the balcony are spectacular; green lawns, swaying palms and the lapping blue Indian Ocean.
Ivory House
Ivory House is a spacious villa in southern Sri Lanka that combines a simple aesthetic with a decor inspired by Dutch colonialism. The property sits at an elevation and boasts large windows to maximise the views of the picture-perfect surrounding rice paddies.
There are four double bedroom suites donned with white linens and dark woods and each with en-suite bathrooms. In the Master Suite, French windows lead to the veranda overlooking the rice paddy fields whilst the Guest Double features an outdoor shower for the ultimate al fresco bathing experience.
From the sitting room more French windows open out to the gardens and in the dining room huge teak doors sit aside a large ebony table, the place to gather in the evenings and enjoy a home cooked meal prepared in the modern kitchen.
The day can easily be spent in the villas gardens, soaking up the sun and dipping in and out of the generous pool whilst admiring the rice paddy views. For those wanting to venture further, the property sits inland on the edge of a rural village (offering an authentic Sri Lankan experience) yet the coast sits less than 2 miles away.
Why We Love It
From the villa, you can sometimes see the locals working in the surrounding rice paddy fields.
Kumara
Villa Kumara sits close to the surf breaks of Weligama on the South Sri Lankan coast and offers a peaceful escape for families (children must be 5 years of age) and friends alike.
Set over two acres of landscaped gardens the villa has three luxury en-suite rooms each with private pavilions, a walled garden with outdoor shower and a roll away bed for an extra little one. The modern open planned bathrooms are quite luxurious and feature twin vanities.
The villa kitchen is housed in a separate pavilion in the garden, opposite the main house, and meal ingredients are bought, prepared and cooked by the in-house chef who serves both Asian and Western cuisine.
In the main house facilities include a large open plan sitting and dining area where large floor to ceiling doors open out onto the gardens and flood the villa with natural light. Outside facilities include an inviting pool and spacious dining area.
Aside the pool sits a partially covered L-shaped seating area donned with plump cushions, spend afternoons here dipping in and out of the pool and retiring to the shade. Those looking to venture further take note as the beaches of Mirissa sit only a short tuk tuk ride away and make for a great day out (swimming here is seasonal). In the evenings, return to the villa and enjoy drinks in the lounge.
Why We Love It
The quaint windows that open out to palm tree gardens really are picture perfect.
Red Cliffs
Red Cliff is a pavilion style villa on the south coast of Sri Lanka with breath-taking views of Weligama Bay. Designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa the minimalist villa is reached via a narrow track that opens up to a grove of swaying coconut palms.
The villas three bedrooms are spread out over two levels, on the upper sits the Family Room which boasts an open air shower and a small lounge with sea views. On the lower level sits the remaining two rooms, both with en-suite bathrooms. Whilst one features a large living space the second has a private garden and in all, a refreshing ocean breeze drifts through the open windows.
On the ground floor sits the living and dining area and, in the true Geoffrey Bawa style of blurring the boundaries between the inside and out, the floor opens out to the gardens. Enjoy fresh Sri Lankan dishes at the dining table (designed by Bawa himself) as the sun sets over the ocean.
In the far corner of the garden sits a small pool that packs an impressive view of the Indian Ocean, a garden terrace great for sundowners and, at the gardens edge, a set of steep steps down to the soft sand beach.
Why We Love It
Redcliffs was once the country home of a former president of Sri Lanka - J.R. Jayawardene!µ
Pointe Sud
Pointe Sud is a beautiful private villa perched on the edge of the south facing coast. Exceptionally spacious and with unbeatable views across the ocean, this is the perfect exclusive Sri Lankan retreat.
There are five bedrooms in the villa (one on a lower level) which are a mix of three Queens, a twin and a double, all rooms have air-con and en suite bathrooms. The décor throughout is light and airy with dark wood antique furnishings contrasting the otherwise neutral rooms. There is a real authentic Sri Lankan feel to the villa, and yet it remains very comfortable and luxurious.
Dining at Ponte Sud is taken care of by the staff and in-house chef, who prepare all meals for guests. These consist of flavourful Sri Lankan dishes as well as several western options and can be enjoyed on the veranda or at the large dining table.
Other facilities include a large infinity pool, fully equipped kitchen, sunset terrace, TV room and sunrise pavilions. Whether you're lounging around the villa or preparing to head out and explore nearby Galle, the villa staff (housed separately) are friendly and attentive, ready to cater to your every need without intruding on your privacy.
Why We Love It
Steps lead down to a private beachside garden and yoga pavilion where guests enjoy direct access onto a largely deserted beach, and we love this feeling of privacy.
