The Mirissa Beach is 2 minutes from Talaramba Reef by tuktuk.

Talaramba Reef is one of the rare beachfront vacation rental properties you will find that has a huge tropical garden featuring local tree species. The garden is a really nice quiet place to meditate and is the perfect setting for the two villas – Villa Sulanga and Villa Vatura – located in the property. Both villas can accommodate a large group of people with 4 bedrooms each, featuring fourr-poster beds and en-suite bathrooms. The villas are both designed to let the light and the air in, with meals taken in a verandah overlooking the garden, and huge lounge areas that con comfortably seat a huge crowd. Beautiful french doors and Sri Lankan furniture and art pieces complete the simple yet luxurious feel of the villas.

Garden and Pool Outside Villa Sulanga and Villa Vatura

The main difference of the two villas is perhaps in the target market, with Villa Vatura being more child-friendly with a TV room and a pool specially designed with a shallow end for toddlers. Villa Sulanga’s pool is deeper, and with a bar area in the living room, obviously focuses more on catering to the needs of adults on vacation.

Note that if you interested in staying in Talaramba Reef for your vacation, it will set you back anywhere from $400 to $1500 per night, depending on how many villas you rent (Yes, you can rent just one or both.) and the season when you book it.

Photos via Talaramba Reef Website

The Buckingham Place in Sri Lanka may sound like old-world grand but it is actually the opposite being contemporary in design. This is not surprising since the hotel is named not after the Buckingham Palace, but after owner/manager Nick Buckingham. Although the hotel is not as grand as the palace itself, it does not mean that it does not deliver in terms of luxury.

A tuktuk at the entrance of the Buckingham Place

The hotel is a pretty exclusive place, featuring just 11 bedrooms and suites all with its own balcony/veranda, bathtub (only 2 rooms do not have a tub), 6ft x 6ft double beds with sprung mattresses and high quality linen, mini-fridges, and picnic menus. Choice suites also feature open air bathrooms and a satellite TV.

Open air bathroom in one of the suites

The atmosphere of the Buckingham Place is also truly tranquil, appearing idyllic even, with a view of Rekawa Beach’s lagoon. The beach right in front of the hotel, is however, more pretty than swimmer-friendly due to big waves and unpredictable currents. Despite this, swimmers need not go too far to get wet since the hotel has its own pool. If you wish to swim on the beach though, you’ll need to walk for about 15 minutes to get to a safer beach.

The beach

With the hotel getting rave reviews for excellent service, my only real beef about the hotel resort is that they have a 10 year-old and above policy, which means that it will be a full decade before our family will be welcome in the place. The policy is something that any guest who relishes the peace and quiet that only resort hotels like this provide, will truly appreciate.

Photos courtesy of the Buckingham Place

Bentota

A resort area called Bentota, located in the southwestern part of this island country, is a large resort area and has a lot of hotels. There are many beaches in this area but they may be crowded. Your best bet if you want to access these beaches and avoid some of the large crowds is to take advantage of smaller boutique style hotels like the River House, Taru Villa, and Club Villa. These smaller hotels are better situated for an easy access to great beaches and also have swimming pools to enjoy.

The South Coast

The south coast in general has excellent beaches. These beaches are at their widest and most accessible in the November to April season. They get more narrow during the spring to summer season – April to October. Thus these are great beaches to access in the off season. This area also has great5 snorkeling on reefs such as Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna. South coast bays and lagoons, which are often quite and secluded, can be accessed especially by those staying in private villas in the area.

Mirissa

There is a southern town called Mirissa which has great beaches and is not touristy. Villas like Point Sud and Cinnamon Mount are great villas that overlook the beaches and there are also guest houses for people with a more modest vacation budget.

The Southeast

Towns like Tangalle in the Southeast are more secluded still and offer access to excellent private beaches and are reminiscent of exclusive Barcelona vacation rentals. Villas like the Mahawella house and the Claughton house are wonderful getaways in this area that allow access to these beaches.

East Coast

The East coast is best in the season that spans from April to September. The temperature here gets very hot, the surfing is great, and the scuba diving is excellent as well on the east coast. Some tourist areas here include Trincomalee and Aragum Bay. These are up and coming areas that will probably expand in the future.

Negombo and Unawatuna

Negombo and Unawatuna are two well established resorts if you are looking for a family beach vacation in Sri Lanka. They offer great beaches with all the activities and great accommodations. Sometimes Negombo can be somewhat crowded with fisherman and boat tours however, so that is something to keep in mind.

So as you can see there is a lot to choose from as regards beaches in Sri Lanka. Don’t jump to the conclusion that you need to check out only the most obvious beach destinations. Do your homework and see what this wonderful island country has to offer as regards beaches and make your choices carefully. The ideal situation is to find a beach area that fits your budget and is also not extremely crowded (unless that is something you enjoy). If you plan well you will find Sri Lanka a dazzling and enchanting place to hit the sand and the waves.

A good option for tourists who want a quieter time away from the regular crush of tourists that come with big hotels is to rent private villas. Vacation rental homes, such as villas are great because you either get the entire place all to yourself, or get to share it with only a handful of other guests.

Auraliya, a family holiday home turned vacation rental property, is one such place. Auraliya features 6 tastefully appointed bedrooms surrounding a dining hall and swimming pool, and located right in front of a beach that guests can access anytime via a private gate.

Statue of Ganesh at Auraliya

The Sitting Pavillion at Auraliya 

Auraliya guests find themselves returning to the place not only for the beautiful and serene atmosphere, but also because of the very personalized and excellent service of the staff. In Auraliya, you can have your meals planned for you ahead of time, or even ask the staff to shop for you with them returning with fresh produce and receipts in hand. The staff always on-call, ensuring that guests never lack for anything any time of the day. If there’s one word that will describe Auraliya, that would perhaps be “hospitality”, a luxury that not many hotels truly know the meaning of.

Photos courtesy of Auraliya

Our review of the Amangalla was definitely positive, but we have failed to extol the equally luxurious Amanwella, a seaside resort that is the epitome of opulence.

Amanwella, is a beachfront resort that boasts of 30 contemporary suites all with its very own private walled-in entry courtyard that features a plunge pool and banquette, as well as individual terraces with open views. Each suite is reminiscent of Sri Lanka’s famous architect, Geoffrey Bawas, style; seamlessly meshing Western modern sensibilities with his country’s culture and style.

A visit to Amanwella will also find you not lacking in things to do since they can arrange special activities for you from the sedate to the more adventurous kind. You can relax and get a spa treatment anywhere in the resort, from your suite to a secluded garden in their coconut grove, or you can opt to get wet while whale watching in Mirissa Harbour, which is a mere 90 minute drive from Amanwella. Food lovers can also not just taste, but learn how to cook authentic Sri Lankan meals courtesy of the resort’s in-house chefs. Of course, you can also just do the usual things you would do on a beach resort, from sunbathing to snorkelling and surfing.

A visit to Amanwella will set you back at least $400 per night during off-peak seasons. A substantial amount that anyone who’s ever stayed in this resort will tell you is worth every penny you spend.

Fort Printers is an unassumingly stylish hotel. Unpretentious and quietly chic, it is for people wanting to feel like they are staying at a town villa and yet still be spoiled with a hotel’s services. If you stroll down Galle Fort‘s popular Pedlar street (great shopping), you’ll find the Fort Printers at the corner of Church street- you would immediately think the elegantly restored building was the home of some lucky expatriate and not a small luxury hotel!

There is a definite air of nostalgia here, with the black vintage car parked out front (seemingly indefinitely) and the magnificently authentic printing machine in the entrance hall, seen from the street- to name a few. Although I used the word “luxury” in the previous paragraph, I wouldn’t necessarily say the Fort Printers‘ five suites was that- if you think of that word in terms if mod cons, designer toiletries or fancy mattresses seen in most top hotels in Asia these days. It is still very comfortable in an uncluttered boutique sense and smartly furnished with select antiques and interesting handmade crafts. The cozy library and intimate lap pool area are also great additions for tour-weary guests.

As a base for getting to know Galle Fort and it’s environs, Fort Printers would be an excellent choice because of it’s ideal location close to the shops, restaurants and picturesque ramparts. The food is also known to be excellent (try the delicious Mezze menu) and considering what you get for the reasonable rate of around $120 a night (low season), including tax, you could be tempted to stay longer than planned. Or better yet, invite some friends and rent out the entire hotel for a mere $600. Another good option would be to book the “Beach-Fort” promotion, which combines a stay at its sister hotel, the lovely Frangipani Tree for a very affordable price, including breakfast and transfers.

Image via Sri Lanka in Style

The Fortress Hotel is perhaps the grandest hotel in Sri Lanka of all. Owned by reputedly the richest family in Sri Lanka, it is part of the Per Aquum group of resorts, who also have a large presence in the Maldives and the Seychelles. The Fortress only opened its doors in 2007 and has certainly started with a bang, often being fully booked (especially for weddings and large functions) despite the negative news coming out of the Sri Lankan tourism industry.

The hotel is in a glorious location, set right on the Indian Ocean seaside and close to Koggala Lake, about a 20 minute drive from Galle. What sets apart the hotel from many of its competitors is not just its location, though, but its magnificent architecture and ambience, both outside and inside. We don’t often like to quote off a hotel’s own website, but in this case they have it spot on:

A hotel fashioned in the style of a powerful fortress. Rising next to the beach, the resort’s walls enclose verdant gardens and water features, a spa featuring Ayurvedic treatments, a freeflow swimming pool, wine cellar, restaurants, boutiques and exquisitely appointed rooms, lofts and residences. The resort’s architecture forges historic Dutch and Portuguese styles with the motifs of Sri Lanka.

There are 47 guest rooms, all stylishly decorated with a Colonial effect and Modern finish. There are five choices, each with its own different views and appeal: the fortress room, the beach room, the ocean room, the ocean loft and the residence. There is also a glorious spa: the Lime Spa, which specializes in traditional Ayurvedic treatments. And let’s not forget the culinary and gourmet aspects, be that the main restaurant lounge by the pool: Pepper; the modern cave for a fine glass of wine; Heat: where delicious tapas are served by the sea; a dedicated Tea section to enjoy Sri Lanka’s most famous export and the Sea Lounge where you are allowed to enjoy just one fruity cocktail too many!

Oh! and the main attraction itself: the most decadent and luxurious infinity swimming pool that one could hope for. Of course, all of this doesn’t come cheap. You’re not going to get a room for much less that $500 per night, although if you contact the hotel directly, they may give you 20% off if it’s during a quiet period.

We couldn’t recommend the Fortress Hotel more highly for those that want a luxury holiday in Sri Lanka!

Ambalama offers plenty of luxe for the traveller. Its four equitable bedrooms are highlighted by comfortable four-poster beds adorned with the highest thread count linen to be found in Sri Lanka. With multiple sets of doors opening onto the front sea view verandah, louvers provide the rooms with enough of a breeze for you to hardly ever need to use the air conditioning or fan, although both are available. With two of the modern bathrooms featuring an enclosed open air shower surrounded by a soothing tropical garden, this is barefoot luxury at its best.

The main living area of Ambalama is an airy space with cool floors, high roof and a scattering of antique furniture and local art. To one end is a cosy lounge area whilst at the other is a circular dining table for eight, overlooking the pool, garden and sea. The villa is perfectly convivial and suits many group arrangements; it can easily be transformed from relaxed and intimate into something more formal depending upon the occasion. The villa has a full complement of staff, so all you have to do is ask.

The Balinese tiled swimming pool is one of the villa’s best assets. Located just footsteps from the bedrooms and living areas, the pool has an especially inviting ledge to one side from where you can sit in the sunshine and admire the view. Surrounded by a wide sun drenched terrace dotted with loungers, it is ideal for alfresco wining and dining at any time of the day. Ambalama is totally private and to the front is a large grassy lawn with access to the pristine stretch of beach just below.

One particular highlight of Ambalama is its cuisine. A lot of effort has gone into finding a great chef to create cuisine worth staying in for. Indeed, the new chef at Ambalama has worked in two of the island’s five star hotels and designed a menu that amply reflects this. From succulent seafood to sensational salads and wicked desserts, there is plenty to satisfy even the most demanding guest. And, whilst you might be enjoying five star cuisine, remember you’re not paying for it; guests only pay for the cost of the ingredients. Perfect! Three courses it is then.

The quoted rates for Ambalama Villa range from $600 per night in the value season to $900 per night in the peak season. We suggest that you contact the very efficient and friendly Tai via the website contact form.

Image via Sri Lanka in Style

In our opinion, there are few hotels more luxurious than those of the Aman group, and luckily in Sri Lanka, you have a choice of two fantastically luxe places to visit. Previously, we talked about the colonial-inspired gem that is Amangalla in Galle Fort, and now we bring you another slice of Aman-heaven, this time in minimalist splendor on the pristine beaches of Tangalle.

Guests staying at Amanwella will enjoy the way the modern design blends seamlessly with the eco-friendly surroundings (think of sea turtles, waterfalls and coconut groves) creating a comfortable feeling of tranquility with stone, timber and clay touches.

The restaurant, for instance, is perched eight-meters above sea level and thus has excellent views toward the ocean and the coconut trees by the idyllic pool. Inside there is also a grass-covered courtyard awash with frangipani trees and reflecting pools – the perfect setting for a meal any time of day. If al fresco dining is more your style, you can also opt to dine in the Beach Club area, where homemade churned ice cream and coconut charcoal barbecues are a specialty.

After a hard day spent beachcombing, exploring the sites around the vibrant seaside town of Tangalle, or on a nature tour (there are several gorgeous national parks nearby), The Spa at Amanwella is the perfect place to unwind sore, suntanned muscles. The spa here provides restorative treatments using local, organic herbs and can take place in secluded locations around the resort’s gardens or in the privacy of your suite. A long soak in one of the spa’s deeply indulgent baths, complete with a bottle of champagne is also highly recommended!

Every room at Amanwella is a suite, sleekly minimalist, with a good Bose player (bring your own cd’s please!) but with no television, so be warned. There is a common tv area, however, as well as a lovely library well equipped with books and games for all ages. If being close to the sea is important to you, we advise you to request for an ocean suite which may cost a bit more, but is well worth it. All suites have a little private plunge pool, and some also share a connecting door on the terrace, which makes them ideal for families traveling together.

The flawless service, charming staff and delicious food are among the highlights of a stay here, along with the gorgeous beaches and comfortable, spacious suites. The only complaints reported by guests was the plunge pool, which faced a wall and was not heated. Unfortunately, there was also an incident of a burglary which took place in March of this year. The resort has since assured us that the matter of security has been dealt with accordingly, and that it was an isolated incident that isn’t likely to happen again.

Prices at Amanwella range from $325 to $400 per night, which includes breakfast for two persons- very good value for an Aman resort. As usual, we recommend you book directly with the hotel. The current manager, Jonathan Blitz, is very amenable and friendly.

Image via Sri Lanka in Style