My journey into luxury boutique hotels of Sri Lanka on the west coast . . . . . .

The new trend of ‘luxury boutique holidays’ was emerged in the 1980s to describe holidays in small, characterful, designer hotels, offering personal service. Eventually, larger hotel chains recognised the potential and came to be applied the concept ever more loosely. However, thanks to several properties in Sri Lanka, the old fashion luxury boutique holiday theme is still waiting to be discovered. After my recent travels through Sri Lanka, I have listed below several luxury boutique resorts in Sri Lanka that everyone should explore.

The majority of to tourists come to Sri Lanka to unwind in the larger resorts along the coast. The more historically minded head who wants to experience the heritage and culture, heads to the 'Cultural Triangle' of ancient temple-strewn capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Kandy in the heart of the island. So I have done a tailor made itinerary starting from the west coast to discover the boutique nous of the west coast! I will be updating this page as I am working my way through the west coast looking for hotels with high standard of design, service and cuisine. So join me to stay up-to-date if you are planning a Sri Lanka holiday or just interested in this topic.

Our Website: http://www.travelsrilanka.co.uk

 

 

Aditya

Aditya is undoubtedly one of the finest beach side boutique properties in Sri Lanka. It sits on a secluded stretch of beach in Rathgama, midway between the hedonistic beach resort of Hikkaduwa and the historic old town of Galle. The drive from Colombo’s international airport is about two hours via the Southern highway.
 

As soon as I got off from the car and walk to the reception, I felt that this going to be one of my
most relaxing and romantic places to stay in Sri Lanka. The hotel has a very elegant modern design throughout and is characterised by luxurious fittings, exclusive accommodation and a high level of personalised service. The public areas are generously and beautifully spacious but yet had an intimate atmosphere since most areas has sounds of fountains, pretty lily ponds, plant-filled courtyards and wide archways.

The high ceilings, frequently polished floors and splashes of vibrant colour in alcoves and interior walls provide the setting for an eye-catching array of antiques, artefacts and pictures sourced from Sri Lanka, the Subcontinent and the East Indies.
 

The twelve suites at Aditya are beautifully spacious and kitted out with every modern comfort you
could ever wish for including cosy jacuzzis, ocean view terraces and private gardens.  Each suite has a spacious bedroom and living area opening out to a private garden or balcony with plunge pool. Suites have individual furnishings, objects d’art and antiques, much imported from Bali and Indonesia, and all possess their own individual mood.

The Amal restaurant is definitely Aditya’s best-kept secret since the extensive menu of innovatively created dishes is an absolute delight. Guests may request from the master chef their own choice of menu and they can eat whenever they choose. In-room dining is another potential delight.

To further pamper body and soul, there is the Nirvana Spa offering his and hers spa treatments, relaxing massages, body scrubs, beauty treatments and hydrotherapy.

I learned that Adityas is the common name for the 12 sun gods, said to dwell in the highest heavens, sustainers of the celestial light. It is an appropriate name for a quiet wonderful and true luxury boutique property.

 

Reef Villa

The best short intro I can give about Reef Villa is, it’s a delightful and romantic tropical luxury boutique hotel filled with original colonial antiques, set on a stunning beach at Wadduwa on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast.

 

The place engage you in a smile and appreciation with joy as soon as you enter through the front gate and wind down a narrow driveway mysteriously flanked by verdant foliage and towering tropical blooms. As the heavy antique doorways leading to the house open one-by-one, they reveal tranquil greenery-topped ponds teeming with fish that you cross via stepping stones to finally reach the main entrance of the house. By the time you get to the front door all stress and strain you may have had should begin to disappear.

In boutique style, it is home to only seven sumptuous suites. So, Reef boasts an abundance of space thanks to its three acre land that is rarely found in other hotels of this size beside the beach.  I found its suites to be exquisite and fitted out with every available luxury you could possibly need.
 

The seven enormous suites are set in and around a central villa, each with high ceilings and a wonderful sense of space.  Furnishings, almost all sourced locally from Sri Lanka and India, include exquisite hardwood antiques - such as mahogany and rosewood four-poster beds, dating from around 1850 and built during the British Raj era in India. Above the beds hang huge punkah fans for those wishing to cool themselves by something more traditional than air conditioning.

The rooms are adorned with old carved doorways, windows and other decorative pieces, while on the floors sit some mighty antique chests - many beautifully carved - wardrobes, and old reclining chairs. Surrounding each room are deep, shady verandas, which were used well to observe the gardens and to enjoy a relaxing cup of tea while birds are singing and occasional monitor lizard doing his work to find some food.
 

The garden is a densely well organised tropical jungle with stepping-stoned pools and ponds full of darting fish. The garden leads to a long stretch of beach that invites for a gentle stroll.  

After the great rooms, gardens and the beach, next best thing about Reef is the service. The small team of staff are the friendliest and most helpful staff imaginable. The staff pride and attachment to hotel is obvious from their body language and it is very joyful.

The hotel gives a real feel of boutique-nous due to owner’s passion to build a spectacular home than a hotel hence it has a personality rather than cold commerciality.

Our Website: http://www.travelsrilanka.co.uk/sri-lanka-hotels/Reef-Villa-and-Spa.aspx