Last House

The boutique Taru Villas Mawella sits in the middle of Mawella Bay’s near-deserted crescent sand beach, a short way from the town of Tangalle.

Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the main house has four double rooms while the pool house contains two suites. Colonial in style, the chic breezy rooms feature four poster beds, air conditioning with a scattering of modern art. The master suite has its own private plunge pool.

A lounge, small bar and dining area can be found in the main house, in the latter of which you can enjoy fresh and varied cuisine, such as traditional Sri Lankan dishes, homemade pastries and just-caught seafood. You can also choose to dine on the beach, in the garden or on the veranda.

Aside from relaxing on the beach, you are ideally suited to explore the Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The historic fort town of Tangalle is an easy day trip, as is a safari into Yala National Park or the revered stupa at Tissamaharama. Whale watching is also superb from nearby Mirissa from November to April.

Sat atop a small peninsula jutting out into the Indian Ocean, Cape Weligama is one of Sri Lanka’s finest resorts.

A collection of private suites and villas offering 39 huge bedrooms in total are laid out like a traditional village with stylish living spaces beneath terracotta tiled rooftops. All enjoy butler services, a large terrace with dining and spa facilities, steam room, stone bathtubs, spacious walk in wardrobes and state of the art in room entertainment systems.

Between these are tropical gardens and 14 swimming pools, some private and some shared, such as the incredible 60m crescent shaped infinity pool with fine sea views. You’ll also find four restaurants, with Pola serving the day’s freshest catch and the Cape Colony Club a relaxed yet refined venue for traditional high tea and sunset cocktails.

Spa treatments can be organised in room, or head to the Spa Villa to indulge with homegrown spice scrubs and bespoke massages that incorporate Ceylon tea, an ingredient renowned for its antioxidant, anti-ageing and calming properties.

There are two adjacent public beaches and a reef provides safe swimming conditions. The Sports Centre is staffed by professionals and is the embarkation point for all land and water-based activities, such as PADI dive courses and exciting dives, private cruises, big game fishing, seasonal whale and dolphin-watching trips aboard a luxury catamaran, kayaking and snorkelling. You can also explore Sri Lanka’s lush rural hinterland of sleepy villages, paddy fields, meandering lagoons and ancient temples on guided bicycle rides.

Amanwella is a tranquil hideaway set amid palm trees that spill down to the golden beach and the sea, a little west from laid-back Tangalle.

27 contemporary suites are open to the sights and sounds of the bay with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. On one side they lead onto the entrance courtyard with a private plunge pool, the other to an expansive terrace with sun loungers, dining table and chairs, and views of the coconut grove, beach and ocean.

The restaurant serves fish straight off local fishermen’s boats and local produce sourced by the chef at the nearby market – an experience you can join to discover more about this fertile island.

The beach is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and surfing, some of the best in the region in fact, while a little further out you can try your hand at fishing. Blue whales can be sighted on their annual migration from December to April, as well as sperm whales and spinner dolphins.

Turtles can be spotted laying their eggs on the beach a little way along the coast and, inland, Yala and Udawalawe National Parks can be explored. There’s also a rich cultural heritage with a landscape dotted with ancient temples and you can even try your hand at pottery with a local artisan.