Small Boutique hotels in SOUTHERN

Buckingham Place is a unique mid-high-end, eleven suite boutique resort located at the heart of Rekawa Sanctuary in Sri Lanka. Just 70 metres from the deserted and beautiful Indian Ocean beach, Buckingham Place features 11 spacious contemporary bedrooms and suites overlooking the 6km long Rekawa Lagoon. Nestled between a deserted Indian Ocean beach and Rekawa Lagoon, the location of Buckingham Place in this rugged village is spectacular. The nearest town, Tangalle, is a peaceful fishing and farming community. This sleepy, out of the ordinary, out of the way place is far from the maddening crowd and off the beaten track. Expect something a bit different: contemporary but not sterile, stylish though not slave to it and interactive. Explore the environs by canoe and bicycle, take a stroll or an early morning jog along the beach, or laze with a good book by the Turtle Point rock-pool. The stunning beach, a treasured eco-gem, provides safe nesting for up to five species of sea turtle, magnificent birdlife is amply protected by lagoon mangroves. At times brimming with prawns and crab, the flourishing lagoon is vital for the surrounding villages and is a fascinating place. Return at the end of your day for sundowners and the mouthwatering menu. Peaceful, informal and wonderfully relaxing, Buckingham Place hospitality is extraordinarily friendly and efficient.

Enjoying a fabulous oceanfront setting at Mihiripenna beach, near Galle, Elysium is situated in a splendid villa complex, designed by a famous Australian architect. After an extensive renovation process, this charming property offers luxurious boutique-style accommodation, great food and friendly, efficient service in an enviable beachfront location. A delightful spot for relaxing stays in this fascinating area of Sri Lanka, Elysium is a short drive from the historic peninsula city of Galle, with its famous fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Other landmarks in the city include the Dutch Reformed Church and the Galle Temple. Talpe is a highly popular area for surfers, with a number of excellent breaks in the surrounding region. On site, the hotel boasts a twenty-metre outdoor pool, large, leafy gardens, a spa and wellness area, and a fully equipped fitness room. Elysium offers an immense range of dining options, from formal meals in the elegant dining room, to more casual affairs in the outdoor pavilions, on the beach deck, by the pool or in the gardens. Elysium's expert chefs create a delicious range of menus featuring typical regional, Asian and western cuisine, and special diet needs can be catered for on request. The comfortable, shaded pool pavilion and bar is also a great spot for cocktails, al-fresco dining and after-dinner drinks.

Huma Terra is a unique "green lodge", nestled in the heart of the Galle region of Sri Lanka, surrounded by swaying palms and seemingly endless rice fields. Set in five individually designed tree houses and cabins, Huma Terra offers spectacular accommodation, fascinating outdoor activities and an Ayurveda centre in total harmony with nature. Firmly committed to the green, ecological ethic, Huma Terra has been entirely built with sustainable, locally sourced timber, and uses electricity supplied by photovoltaic panels and water drawn from natural wells. The salt water pool is treated without the use of chemicals, while special care has been taken with the choice of materials used for the décor and the bed linen - hemp and organic cotton, to conform to all eco-labelling standards. The tree houses and cabins offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, and are spacious and comfortably furnished. Natural ventilation and the elevated location of the units makes air-conditioners unnecessary. Activities available direct from the lodge include bicycle and e-bike trips, visits to the nearby tea plantation, discovery visits to Buddhist temples, and a unique elephant experience at Water for Elephants, with trips on the elephants, feeding, washing and bathing in the lake. An ayurveda centre is also available, and Huma Terra's restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner in a delightful open setting.

Rocky cliffs and long sandy beaches make up the coast of Sri Lanka where Jetwing Saman Villas protrudes from a corner cliff overlooking the splashing waters. This stunning boutique resort takes luxury to a whole new level – with its own beach and a backdrop of a jungle of coconut trees, the Jetwing Saman Villas is one of the most romantic resorts one can visit. With a signature spa and multiple gourmet restaurants whether outside on the pavilion or at the edge of the cliff, Jetwing Saman Villas is unlike no other. The sophisticated and bohemian style hotel features a gym, infinity pool, spa, and library and many cozy outdoor seating areas. Maintaining the Sri Lankan traditional design while blending it with modern luxury is shown throughout the 26 suites and villas of the hotel. A tropical vibe is present throughout each suite together with the tranquility from being clifftop proving the ultimate serene getaway. There is a myriad of experiences on and off the grounds of the resort. Swimming and tanning along the Bentota beach, hiking through the Bawa trail, exploring the street of the historic Galle Fort, visiting the waterfalls of Kanneliya taking a river safari along Maduganga river and dolphin watching are just some of the many activities.

Nestled between a verdant tea plantation and Koggala Lake, Kahanda Kanda is one of southern Sri Lanka's most stylish boutique hotels, with all the indulgent luxuries of a private villa combined with all the facilities of a five-star hotel. This award-winning retreat offers sumptuous accommodation, fabulous cuisine and top-class service and amenities in a tranquil, secluded atmosphere. Ideally placed for visiting Galle and the Koggala region, Kahanda Kanda is less than half an hour's drive from the centre of Galle and its spectacular fort, and is also within easy reach of some of Sri Lanka's finest beaches. Kahanda Kanda offers private shuttle services in either a fully air-conditioned van, SUV or the resort's own traditional tuk-tuk (three wheeler) to and from the airport, the beaches, and all other points of interest. Popular outdoor activities in the area include whale wathching, mountain biking, surfing and scuba diving, among many other options. Kahanda Kanda organises traditional cookery classes and visits to the nearby Handunugoda Tea Estate. Kahanda Kanda takes great pride in its delicious food, and offers a wide selection of the freshest and most delicious cuisine, from local Sri Lankan rice and curries to mouth-watering Thai and fusion dishes. Guests can enjoy meals in a number of charming venues, including the dining pavilion, the terrace, or private in-suite dining.

Nestled on two acres of lush, magical gardens near the village of Aranwella, Maya is set in a painstakingly restored and renovated late 19th century mansion. Maintaining its beautiful Dutch and British roots, including its historic exterior and carved windows, the interior has been given a chic facelift by owner and interior designer Niki Fairchild. This charming boutique hotel now offers luxurious accommodation and great food in a tranquil, secluded location. Ideal for relaxing escapes to this delightful corner of Sri Lanka's unspoilt southern coast, Maya is within easy reach of some fabulous beaches, but away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist resorts. The house features a unique l-shaped indigo coloured swimming pool, fantastic for cooling dips at any time of the day. The immense garden has a cool outdoor dining and bar area, and there are hammocks and lounge chairs dotted around the garden for moments of quiet, intimate relaxation. Maya's in-house chef creates delicious Sri Lankan specialities along with unique fusion dishes, which can be enjoyed in the elegant dining area or on the outdoor terrace. With just five individually designed suites, located in the original historic villa and the charming new wing, intimate, relaxing stays are guaranteed at Maya. The whole property can be reserved as a villa for groups of friends or families.

Boasting a privileged location by the beach at the up-scale resort of Bentota, Paradise Road The Villa Bentota is set in a carefully restored and modernised historic villa, the Mohotti Walauwa, which was converted into Sri Lanka's first boutique hotel in the 1970s by world-renowned Architect, the late Geoffrey Bawa. Painstakingly returned to its former glory, this charming property now offers luxurious boutique-style accommodation and fine cuisine in a magnificent beachfront setting. Paradise Road The Villa Bentota features a magnificent range of facilities both indoors and out, including two swimming pools, several spacious, airy lounges, the Villa Shop - Paradise Road gift store with 10% discount for residents, and the the Villa Gallery, which puts on exhibitions of the work of local contemporary artists. The Villa Bentota is also home to the Villa Café, a newly built dining pavilion, which is the perfect complement to the original Mohotti Walauwa. Featuring Paradise Road's renowned cuisine, the Villa Café offers such favourites as Lemongrass and Ginger Chicken, new additions like Wasabi-coated Salmon with fresh Cucumber Salad, along with an unrivalled dessert menu. The Café also has an authentic pizza oven, and serves snacks, soft drinks and beverages throughout the day.

Enjoying a fabulous beachfront location by the village of Hikkaduwa, Roman Beach is an exclusive small boutique hotel, set in an elegant, contemporary design building. With just six spacious, luxuriously furnished rooms, this charming property is a paradise within paradise, offering sumptuous accommodation, great food, and a range of unique services in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Ideally placed for visiting this buzzing resort, famous for its beach and coral reef, Roman Beach is within easy reach of all the most important landmarks and attractions in the region, including Galle with its historic fort, and a number of interesting Buddhist temples. Long a favourite for surfers, the beach at Hikkaduwa also offers excellent snorkelling and scuba diving, while the Hikkaduwa Beach Fest is a magnet for clubbers and party-goers for three days in late July and early August. For fine dining experiences, Roman Beach offers mouthwatering cuisine and exceptional service at the charming restaurant, while the bar, set beside the glimmering pool, hosts a more vibrant ambiance, ideal for relaxing with a great selection of drinks and snacks in a magnificent ocean-front setting.

Enjoying a fabulous oceanfront location on Mihiripenna beach, near Galle, Satin Doll is set in a newly renovated beach villa, originally designed by architects Ron Sidell and Bruce Fell-Smith. This charming small boutique hotel combines authentic old-world charm with modern style and sophistication, and offers luxurious accommodation, great service and fine food in a spectacular beachfront location. A delightful spot for romantic, intimate stays within easy reach of Galle, Satin Doll stands in an acre of shaded gardens, filled with beautiful coconut palms, and boasting a number of verandahs and terraces overlooking the ocean, along with a swimming pool. Indoors, there is a double-height lounge area in the centre of the villa, an elegant dining room, and a mezzanine library/TV room, where guests can relax with a movie or catch up with news on the satellite TV. Fully staffed with a team of seven, Satin Doll offers a range of indoor and outdoor dining options, with cuisine that ranges from local, regional and oriental dishes, to a selection of western favourites. The hotel has just four spacious, air-conditioned rooms, all elegantly appointed and decorated, featuring four-poster beds, noble timber antique furniture, and cool fabrics. Unlike many of the villas on this stretch of coast, there is no road noise, and in the evenings, the only sound guests will here is the waves gently breaking on the beach.

Nestled between the Indian Ocean beach and lush tropical forest by Mirissa, Sri Sharavi Beach Villas is a serene hideaway, hidden in a delightful corner of Sri Lanka's beautiful southern coast. This elegant property offers luxurious boutique-style accommodation, great food and a fabulous range of activities in traditionally styled beach-front villas. Aside from sunbathing on the beach or lounging by the large infinity pool, Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa offers a number of options for fascinating outdoor activities. These include whale-watching, deep sea fishing, and a range of water-sports, including surfing at Unawatuna, Matara or Weligama. Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa's expert, friendly staff are on hand to arrange these and many more fabulous activities. Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa's restaurant offers a range of set menus, along with à la carte dining. Guests can choose from traditionally vibrant Sri Lankan curries, fresh platters of succulent seafood or delicious western cuisine, all cooked to order with the finest locally sourced produce. Guests can also take advantage of the hotel's unique spa and wellness treatments, ranging from ancient Ayurvedic techniques to more modern therapies and massages.

Sri Lanka’s lush jungles, coconut tree filled gardens, and pristine waters surround the luxury Tabula Rasa Resort. Perfectly blending the luxuries of a beach resort with the architecture of the native villages, Tabula Rasa Resort is a haven to explore and immerse oneself in the traditions of the island. The local gastronomy is harmoniously fused with international flavour at the restaurant “The Dutch” using locally sourced ingredients. Spa Vasanava offers a serene escape from busy lifestyle with their extensive list of spa treatments, and yoga classes are given with incredible views. The resort also features an infinity swimming pool, bar, and lounge. The resort is an ideal place for a romantic couples’ getaway, friendly trip, or family gathering. There are rooms, villas, and suites for all guests ranging from jungle view rooms to plunge pool suites and villas; all are guaranteed to offer an exceptional and serene stay. There is much to explore in the surrounding area of the resort. Guests can choose between sunbathing on its pristine beaches such as Habaraduwa Beach, the nearest beach to the resort, whale watching on the southern coast, stilt fishing, and snorkeling with turtles.

Enjoying a fabulous location, nestled between Koggala Beach and Koggala Lake, and set in a walled garden with delightful water features and lush planting, The Fortress Resort & Spa is a luxury small boutique hotel, styled after the Dutch Fort in Galle. This tranquil haven offers exclusive accommodation, top-class cuisine and five-star service in a magnificent ocean-front setting. The perfect spot for relaxing stays in this beautiful corner of Sri Lanka, The Fortress Resort & Spa stands right on the beach, and is just a short walk from the fascinating Martin Wickramasinghe Museum. Other attractions nearby include Galle with its majestic Dutch colonial architecture and the fort, or the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a unique lowland rainforest where visitors can glimpse leopard and wild elephants. The Fortress Resort & Spa boasts a number of fine-dining venues, including the two conventional restaurants, Pepper & Heat, which offer everything from international and Sri Lankan cuisine to wood-fired pizzas, along with Indian Tandoori specialities, while the Duo (Surf & Turf) is a unique wine-cellar restaurant which aims to celebrate the experience of wine and fine dining together in a breathtaking setting. Guests can also take advantage of an Ayurveda spa, a yoga pavilion, and two swimming pools.