Kikili Beach, Thalpe Sri Lanka, The South Coast

Kikili Beach is a quirky one-bedroom beach bungalow on the sands of Thalpe - close to Unawatuna and Galle. Nestled between the many larger villas in the area, Kikili Beach is one of only a handful of private properties to offer intimate and quality accommodation without the size or grandeur of a villa - and the price reflects that too.

The bungalow consists of one air-conditioned bedroom with en-suite bathroom, one cosy living room and a kitchen - decorated throughout with bright and bold paintings. Along the front is an open-air veranda, again lavishly furnished with cushioned chairs and sofas suitable for lazy days, with room to accommodate friends too. At the foot of the grassy lawn, facing the sea is a beautiful, thatched pavilion - perfect for reading and sipping sunset cocktails.

The emphasis here is on relaxation and all areas of the property have been designed with this in mind. Colourfully and comfortably furnished throughout, the atmosphere is homely and welcoming.

The bungalow is staffed by Kumar, a bright and accommodating guy who is also rather handy in the kitchen. He lives in a separate hut on the grounds and is there to take care of your needs. Upon arrival, you can shop locally with him for supplies and he will prepare the dishes you want, when you want them an extremely cost-effective system, making this a great value and peaceful option! In 2010 a swimming pool was added to truly round the villa off.