Exotic Sri Lanka

Flanking idyllic Koggala lake and just a short distance from historic Galle and the region's sandy beaches, Tri Lanka is Sri Lanka's first sustainably designed hotel, built entirely from local materials. Tri curls its eight luxurious lake-view suites (four with private pools) around an island promontory peppered with aged trees. Standing on its peak is a water tower, ingeniously designed to house a further two bedrooms and a viewing deck and to capture the dramatic 360-degree views. Features: 10 bedrooms & suites, complimentary internet access, spa facilities, an open-sided treetop-view yoga shala, library, lakeside dining room and sister beach club just a short drive away. Room amenities: Air conditioning and en suite bathroom.

The Kandy House was originally built in 1804 and has been converted into a luxurious boutique hotel, located just 20 minutes from the centre of Kandy. The nine guestrooms are decorated with antique Dutch furniture and feature large en suite bathrooms. The grounds are carefully landscaped and overlook an infinity swimming pool. The restaurant serves a range of international and Sri Lankan cuisine.

Living Heritage Koslanda is a boutique-style hotel built on its own estate and tea plantations with the help of local people, ensuring that traditional Sri Lankan design and architecture is portrayed throughout the property. The hotel's veranda and infinity pool offer spectacular views of the surrounding hills and close to the hotel is the Diyaluma Waterfall, which can be reached on a walking tour through the lush forest. The hotel offers cookery demonstrations with their experienced chefs, who are always on hand to pass on their knowledge of Sri Lankan cuisine cooking dishes such as curry, string hoppers, rotis and many other specialities. Nature walks can also be arranged at the hotel.

A colonial villa with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, Coco Tangalla, characterised by a distinct black and white theme, comprises a main house with four bedrooms and an annexe with two bedrooms. Each of the six spacious rooms is individually designed and elegantly decorated by combining period-style furniture with brightly coloured silks and Sri Lankan fabrics. Facilities include a swimming pool and meals are usually served either at the terrace, which offers superb views of the sea, or in the garden. There is a set menu featuring traditional Sri Lankan and continental dishes, but the chef usually speaks with guests and does his best to work around any preferences. However, as ingredients are sourced locally, any special dietary requirements should be advised at the time of booking.

The Last House Tangalle is a five-bedroom boutique property set on a secluded beach on Sri Lanka's south coast and 7km from Tangalle. The architectural swan song of Geoffrey Bawa, this two-storey seaside villa promises a luxurious, chic and relaxing stay; day beds, rooms cooled by ocean breezes, and doors and windows in tropical hues framing views of the garden and the sea.The house is laid out in a horseshoe shape with two bedrooms on the upper floor of the main building and a further three located in an adjacent building beside a courtyard swimming pool. The two upstairs balcony-wrapped bedrooms are booked on an exclusive basis only, which makes this spacious residence ideal for couples and families alike.

A boutique hotel located a few miles away from the beach resort of Galle, Kahanda Kanda consists of 5 tastefully furnished air-conditioned suites situated in their own pavilions amidst a 4-hectare tea plantation. Suites offer stunning views across the tea plantation to Koggala Lake and the lush jungle in the distance and are equipped with Wi-Fi, tea & coffee-making facilities and electronic safe. The hotel restaurant uses only locally grown vegetables, fruit and spices to provide a mixture of traditional Sri Lankan, Thai and Western dishes, which are available in the hotel-dining pavilion or in guests' private suite courtyards. Other facilities include a large infinity pool complete with cascade and a sitting pavilion with satellite television and DVD library. The hotel can also arrange an array of activities (payable locally) including yoga, Ayurvedic massage, cooking lessons and tours of the tea plantation.

Located in the heart of Colombo, Maniumpathy is set in an atmospheric manor house that dates back to 1906. Originally built by a doctor from Jaffna, the house has been extended and its interiors modernised without affecting the property's period features. The eight guestrooms are all individually designed and have their own character. This boutique hotel is within easy reach of Colombo's sights, shops, cafes and restaurants.