Mandalay is a rare slice of heaven in that it offers a truly tranquil setting that instantly relaxes the mind and makes work feel like a distant memory. Despite its out-of-the-way location, it doesn’t feel completely cut off from the outside world as you can always glimpse

Although the villa would, in theory, make a lovely retreat for a group of friends (it’s a great place for entertaining) there could well be some room-envy as the master bedroom is far bigger and more decadent than the other two. For families or a decadent couple however, Mandalay is an excellent choice, especially as there is lots to explore in the locality.

The villa itself is ideally set up for a family and has a very generous swimming pool plus a flat open garden that makes keeping an eye on the kids a breeze. I liked that the living and sleeping areas are in separate buildings as this allows you to escape for peaceful afternoon naps if need be. The lounge in the main house, with TV and DVD player, is great for keeping the kids entertained at night and can also be used to sleep two more guests since the built-in sofas are of a single bed size whilst the room itself is air conditioned.

The staff team comprises only three members but they are very efficient, with Rohan the houseboy dishing up some great meals; his rice and curry comes highly recommended. The staff left us to our own devices which I liked as it heightened the villa’s sense of privacy and seclusion.

Pooja Kanda has a peaceful location a few kilometres from the beach. It is a little out of the way, but its natural setting is nice and tranquil. We felt that the villa would be ideal for families – there’s enough space and privacy for two families – or a group

One of our favourite features at Poya Villa was the lush garden that trained the eye towards the swathe of sand and out to sea. The beach below the villa is gorgeous, stretching to a headland at the far end. By day, we watched ships passing by on the horizon, and even at night

I adored Sisindu C; it’s exactly how a beach house should be. Its lovely openness and its zingy interior design match the feel of the place perfectly. Views of the crashing waves can be enjoyed from almost every room, and nothing beats lying back in bed and gazing at the

There’s plenty to enjoy at this tranquil beach villa: swimming in the sea right outside, the ocean views, the peaceful private garden with its pool and palms, and the comfortable bedrooms with satellite TVs and DVD players; all very child-friendly. The bedrooms are

We enjoyed three wonderful days at Saldana and adored the villa’s cosiness. Its design is grand but homely with the sea nearly always in view. The living room was especially comfortable and the front veranda is best sited to soak in the ocean vistas – drag a few chairs

The two master bedrooms both have sea-view terraces, but the bedroom opening onto the swimming pool terrace is less private - fine if you’re a single family grouping or a couple but maybe less so if you’re a group of friends. It’s ideal for midnight skinny dips though! The twin bedroom is ideal for children although the high beds might be a worry for parents with younger kids.

The kitchen is great and comes with everything that you’ll need if you’re looking to self-cater. The small staff team includes a cook who’s more confident in cooking Sri Lankan cuisine and simple snacks than elaborate western meals, but learning fast. The staff were always very discreet and gave us privacy, which we liked, although they were a little bit shy at times. Knowledgeable managers are on-call however, and they can help with restaurant bookings, massage appointments and onward travel. The turtle hatchery (0.2km) will be a delight for young children who can learn about the five species of marine turtles in tanks that come to lay their eggs on Sri Lankan shores. They’ll also have the opportunity to set new hatchlings free into the sea.