Kalukanda House – near Weligama

This charming four-bedroom villa in Weligama is a real labour of love. Built in 2017 on the site of an existing house, the villa is brand new yet many of the doors, windows, roof tiles and shutters from the previous home have been reused and restyled into the new modern design. For groups of up to eight guests, it offers the utmost comfort – hand-made beds, 21^st century furnishings, hand-picked antiques, high-quality linens and thoughtful Sri Lankan infusions – all within a highly styled setting that’s been consciously conceived by owner Dee Gibson, a Sri Lankan-British interior designer.

The villa sits in large semi-tamed gardens home to resident wildlife such as langur monkeys, endemic birds, mongoose and monitor lizards, which can be spied from beside the pool or even from one of the four bedroom balconies. The pool is 15 metres long, and loungers are poised beside it for languid relaxation. A small staff team are on hand to cook, clean and help guests explore and engage with the local area. They provide a level of service that is discreet and subtle yet engaging too.

Weligama is a southern surfing hotspot. Many key local breaks can be accessed within a few minutes’ tuk tuk ride from the villa though the closest beach (Turtle Beach) is just 100 metres away. This is a popular place for year-round surf and stand up paddle boarding, and surfing lessons. A beach bar is open during the winter months though there are more dining options in Weligama and Mirissa, a little further afield. Other experiences include Sri Lankan cookery, yoga classes (with its yoga shala, the villa can host private retreats), and tours of tea and cinnamon estates. Galle Fort’s historic buildings, shops and boutiques are a 30-minute’ drive away.