Pointe Sud is wholly romantic. If I was lucky enough to have my husband ask me to choose anywhere in the world to build my dream home, I would also choose this fabulous spot! Superlative views and heart-warming history aside, the swimming pool here is definitely my favourite in Sri Lanka. It’s one that you feel an urge to swim (proper lengths) or wallow in day and night and has a lovely curved edge that you can comfortably lean on and look out to sea. Its to-the-side situation also gives a degree of privacy without separation from the rest of the house. The property is secure and the level of privacy here is unlike anywhere else around, and you get all of this without losing the amazing sea views or accessibility to the beach. A flight of 70 or so steps down from the pool terrace (this is not the best house for the less mobile) takes you to a lawn beside the beach that offers an attractive daytime alternative to the upper levels of the house; you can’t really swim in the sea here but there are a couple of paddling spots where you can have a soak. I loved that the house had numerous nooks for quiet time and loads of spots for dining (making it great for extended groups) with the option of daytime BBQs beside the beach. The bathrooms are modern though small, and the cosy colonial-style bedrooms purely for sleeping; admiring the views and lounging are best done from the front veranda. The staff of six were gentle, welcoming and really very discreet. Nothing was too much trouble and the lovely cook (who’s also an experienced nanny) will shop and prepare meals for you, presenting you with bills (for both food and drink) daily. At the moment it’s seafood and Sri Lankan cuisine only, so if you like curries this is a great place to enjoy them. We can’t fault the maintenance of the house, the presentation of the food and the staff’s responsiveness to our requests; they were excellent. However service is leisurely and suitably reflective of a practised home rather than the mechanical efficiency of a hotel.

Chirruping squirrels, meowing peacocks and croaking frogs are just some of the orchestral sounds we heard at Siri Wedamadura. The tropical grounds stretch up a hillside (the house and pool are located on the lowest part of the land) and this expanse makes you feel like you are in the countryside yet the house is centrally located in Mirissa. The beach (where you’ll find lots of simple restaurants) is less than a five-minute walk away, and embarking on whale- and dolphin-watching trips couldn’t be easier as you only have to walk 200 metres or so to reach the harbour. Lined by colourful catamarans the harbour is an attraction in itself, so save some time before or after your whale-watching trip to explore.

We felt that Siri Wedamadura would be a perfect escape for families. The grounds are vast, the pool is generous, the beach is close by and the friendly staff are on hand to cook, clean and tidy. Of the four bedrooms, three are twins, but can be pushed together to make kings if required. Aside from the pool and gardens (and a lonely bluetooth iPod dock), there are few facilities here, so if you think you’ll need more entertainment, bring your laptop, DVDs and a stack of books with you. The staff were helpful and the management team (based in Galle Fort) are on call at any time.