Villa Bentota, Bentota

Arguably Sri Lanka’s first ever boutique hotel, this converted colonial bungalow was originally designed by the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. Found an hour and a half drive south of Colombo, Villa Bentota was refurbished in 2012, a new wing, an entrance pavilion and a swimming pool were added and the gardens were updated.

A variety of fifteen rooms are available in this hotel from the comfortable and affordable single rooms, to the luxurious Mohotti Suite. Each room is decorated in a unique way, with the overall ambiance remaining fresh and airy. Private balconies, courtyards and terraces are available depending on the room type. The grounds are beautiful, with coconut palms and manicured lawns opening out onto the sea. At the bottom of the garden there is a charming old railway line, which is still in use, adding some character to the scenery.

Across the rail line lays a white sand beach, which guests may walk along into the main town to explore the cafes and restaurants available. For those wanting to stay in the hotel complex the Villa Café serves a mixture of traditional Sri Lankan, Western and fusion food. Other facilities include The Villa Gallery, which is a great place to relax with local contemporary artwork around you, two swimming pools, and a bar/lounge area fully equipped with board games.