Maya Villa, Tangalle Sri Lanka, The Deep South

Maya Villa is a seductive boutique hotel located 10 minutes inland from the excellent beaches of Tengalle. The original property was built over 110 years ago and has been beautifully restored, with a new wing added for extra space that compliments the Dutch and British colonial architecture found throughout.

Bordering acres of lush paddy fields and located on the outskirts of a small village, Maya really gives guests a taste of the real Sri Lanka, albeit from rather refined and peaceful surroundings. The property borders a grand Buddhist temple which can make a bit of noise with their chanting in the mornings and evenings, but this is very much a feature of the hotel these days.

With five luxuriously appointed rooms, the villa offers plenty of privacy for guests, while the excellent facilities ensure your comfort at all times. All rooms are air-conditioned and feature double beds and lavish en-suite bathrooms. A lovely swimming pool, indoor and outdoor dining area and a large lounge mean there are plenty of spaces to unwind and relax in. Wifi internet is available throughout the hotel and there are a range of flat screen TVs and sound systems for watching films and listening to music in the communal areas.

The food is of a very high standard here and the delightful staff really know how to take care of their guests in a very attentive yet laid-back fashion. An air of calm permeates throughout the hotel and this must be one of the most relaxing places to stay in Sri Lanka’s ‘deep south’ region.

The superb beaches of Tengalle, Rekawa, Dickwella are all easily accessible by tuk-tuk or taxi. Other excursions include local temples and a range of National Parks, bird sanctuaries and turtle conservation projects. A wide range of birds can also be spotted from the hotel gardens.

The hotel can be booked by the room or groups can get special rates to book the entire property. Maya Villa can be reached by taking the main highway from Colombo or an internal flight with the Sri Lankan Airlines ‘airtaxi’.