Mount Cinnamon at Mirissa Hills, Mirissa

On a cinnamon plantation a few kilometres or so inland from the beautiful sandy beach at Mirissa lies the magnificent hilltop villa, Mirissa Hills.

The design is contemporary, stylish and beautiful. The one-floor building is spread out around the summit of the hill, and the result is an incredible 360-degree vista. In the Asian modernist style, the building blends well into the surrounding environment, while providing guests with fresh and spacious interiors. Through the wide glass walls at the front of the house, the sweeping curve of Weligama Bay offers itself up as a private picture frame.

The four bedrooms lay either side of the sizeable open-ended courtyard, with a pool and grassy lawn in between. The rooms are spacious with lovely en-suites and spectacular views. The dining room, reception and sitting areas sit at one end of the villa in a large and gloriously light room, with a breathtaking piece of sculpture by Laki Senanayake as the centrepiece. There are not many private properties that can carry a sculpture as bold as this one, but in this context, it looks beautiful and adds to the sense of privilege one feels at being the proprietor, if only for a day or two, of this wonderful villa.

Service is laid back and friendly with none of the over the top service that characterises the more colonial offerings in this country. Overseeing the cinnamon estate for the last four years, the manager will happily share his considerable knowledge of cinnamon. The food is created to taste by the local chef, with seafood being the speciality and much other fresh food available. 

Combining the peacefulness and serenity and views of the high country bungalows with close access to the beach, we cannot recommend this villa highly enough.