Aditya Boutique Resort - Devenigoda
Grade - Boutique First Class
Overview
Practice makes perfect and the Aditya is a safe bet that will exceed expectations. This boutique beach hotel runs like a well-oiled machine to deliver first service, accommodation and services. The location in the south west corner is ideal if you’d like to visit either the UNESCO town of Galle or surfing resort of Hikkaduwa just 20 minutes away. The sea may be too rough to swim except during the winter months, but you’ll have the beach largely to yourselves; a beautiful stretch to wander along at the end of the day looking for shells, watching the crabs and seabirds and enjoying the last of the sun’s warmth as it sets on another perfect day.
Facilities
The hotel’s multi-levelled communal areas flow from one to another and make the most of its beautiful location by being largely open to the pool, garden and sounds of the waves that make their way over the beach. This helps create a particularly peaceful atmosphere and the low number of guests only adds to the feeling of space and seclusion. Facilities include a restaurant, spa, simple gym with yoga room, swimming pool and library with books, DVDs and board games.
Rooms
Just 16 exceptionally spacious rooms & suites, bigger than most along the coast. Each opens out to a private garden / balcony with small cold water plunge pool. Facilities include air-conditioning with ceiling fan, satellite tv, DVD player, mini-bar, tea & coffee making facilities and safe. En-suite bathrooms have twin vanities and rain-head showers.
The River House - Balapitiya
Grade - Boutique Deluxe
Overview
A beach stay may be traditional, but for some it’s unnecessary if it means you find a beautiful hotel in a stunning natural location that offers tranquillity and solace. Welcome to The River House! Like a lot of Sri Lanka’s best hotels The River House was originally a private home and wisely retains the homely feel with just 5 suites. Set on the banks of the Madhu Ganga River, it’s the location that really steals the show as the house is tucked away in 13 acres of lush tropical garden through which the river runs through. Relaxation is the order of the day as you admire the abundant bird life, flowering trees and odd cheeky monkey that also make this their home.
Facilities
The atmospheric open-air restaurant overlooks the river and specialises in Sri Lankan delicacies but each guest’s likes and dislikes will be taken into account with the food served. There is a small library with books and DVDs to borrow. Wander through the grounds and you’ll find meandering walkways that ribbon out through the gardens and by the river attracting an incredible variety of birds and the occasional monkey. Just set away from the main villa you’ll find an infinity swimming pool complete with its own changing hut. Yoga and massages can be arranged. To explore further, kayaks can be borrowed or a boat tour booked. Alternatively the beach is only 15 minutes away and the hotel can arrange transportation.
Rooms
All 5 suites are very spacious and luxurious, opening up to private terraces with indoor/outdoor plunge tub or pool and spectacular river or garden views. All feature tea / coffee making facilities, mini-fridge, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, satellite TV and safe. The interiors feature original craftsmanship of wood, stone and polished cement, seamlessly blending contemporary comfort with antique touches. Large well equipped bathrooms.
Saman Villas - Bentota
Grade - Boutique Deluxe
Overview
This deluxe all-suite hotel sits sentinel-like on a low rocky headland gazing out to the Indian Ocean with beautiful beaches streaming south & north, backed by coconut plantations. The hotel’s design is reminiscent of a Sri Lankan temple with classically style interiors and is squarely aimed at couples and honeymooners who are looking for an exclusive and private beach retreat.
Facilities
Facilities include an Art Deco styled infinity pool with sea views, fitness centre, library and the luxurious Spa Sahana with aromatic sauna, steam shower and water garden. Dine indoors or outside on the beach or by the pool, enjoying Sri Lankan specialities and western fusion meals. Sip drinks at the pool and sunset bar. Water sports can be enjoyed in nearby Bentota, but this isn’t the hotel to book if you want organised entertainment, rather time is yours to do as you please.
Rooms
This boutique hotel has a collection of 27 suites housed in two-storey chalets located on both sides of the rocky headland, providing spectacular ocean views. Each is designed to give a sense of privacy and seclusion with roomy interiors that have a tropical modernist feel and boast split level timber-floored bedroom / lounge areas plus semi-open bathrooms. All have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, mini bar and safe. Some of the deluxe suites have private swimming pools with breath-taking views of the ocean.
Club Villa - Bentota
Grade - Boutique Medium Class
Overview
Nestled amidst a coconut grove you’ll find Club Villa, a 17 bedroomed Dutch villa originally designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. Updated over the years it enjoys many repeat guests who love the courtyards and verandas, ponds and waterways, cooling cement floors with clay-tiled roofs festooned with flowers and beautifully maintained gardens that lead down to the magnificent beach from which stunning sunsets can be enjoyed. The quirk of many of the hotels in this area is the single track railway that runs at the garden’s edge. There are about 10 trains a day that most don’t find intrusive and rather adds to the charm.
Facilities
There are no set meal times and so guests can dine on Sri Lankan and western cuisine when and wherever they wish, whether it be indoors in the small restaurant or out in the gardens by candle-light. The lounge bar area opens out to the gardens and on to the good size swimming pool. There is also a small massage room. Bentota Lagoon is close by and offers a wide range of water sports.
Rooms
There are 16 rooms and one luxurious Club Suite decorated in a Dutch colonial period style. All have a balcony or terrace and are en-suite with air-conditioning, ceiling fan, mosquito net, satellite TV, WiFi and minibar.
Kumu Beach - Balapitiya
Grade - Boutique Medium Class
Overview
Occupying an elevated, elongated strip of land overlooking boulder-scattered Balapitiya Beach, this contemporary 10-room west coast boutique hotel boasts fabulous Indian Ocean panoramas. Sri Lanka is blessed with an abundance of beautiful boutique beach hotels and what sets Kumu Beach aside from many is its location. Not only on a beautiful beach but also close to other attractions such as the walled UNESCO town of Galle, the art and craft centres of Ambalangoda, the watersports of Bentota and boat trips that explore the Madu Ganga wetlands. However many struggle to break free of the hotel’s warm embrace!
Facilities
Facilities include a 23 metre infinity pool with sunken loungers and a large lawn with plenty of places to sit and unwind with a drink or two. You can dine on the lovely timber deck or if it’s too hot in the air-conditioned bar. There is also a couple’s spa room.
Rooms
The hotel comprises four Ocean View Suites, four Ocean View Bedrooms and two Kumu Bedrooms. All 10 bedrooms have direct ocean views while the Ocean View Suites and Ocean View Bedrooms also open onto either private balconies or garden terraces. The rooms are spacious with a chic open plan layout, and their neutral colour palette is enhanced by colour splash contemporary batik cushions and vibrant works of modern local art. All have satellite TV, minibar, tea & coffee-making facilities and safe.