The Beach House is a total retreat from the outside world. Its tranquility is heavenly and it’s an excellent choice for a family who are looking for simple back-to-basics beach living without the distraction of TVs and other mod cons. Artists, writers and anyone with a

to adore here, and guests get plenty of pampering from the barely-there staff headed by Dhammika, the shy chief houseboy . The house has a unique design that suits its environment and embraces both the views and the sea breezes. It’s ridiculously quirky and we loved how Johnson’s eccentric artwork ensured that his presence lives on. The two studio rooms are quite secluded – great for adventurous teens wanting independence from their parents, or a couple looking for a little extra privacy. Do note though that The Blue Room is very small.

Although the Beach House is as characterful, timeless and restful as ever, it is looking a little run down since our first visit. A lick of paint would do it good, weatherworn soft furnishings could be replaced and we noticed that some of the mosquito screens above the windows were clogged with dust. For its price, this is a bit of a letdown – reflected in our revised value score.

We thought that Kadju House would be ideal for anyone looking for some serious R&R – especially as it comes with its own ayurvedic spa: an excellent addition, especially as the villa’s location is so tranquil. A locally-renowned Ayurvedic doctor can come and

What a great beachside bolthole; simple, unfussy and most importantly, very relaxed. Minimal clothing, stacks of books and an iPod are all you’re ever going to need to bring with you on a visit to Kurumba House, if that. Its idyllic seaside situation was quiet and peaceful.

What an amazing villa! Everything from the magnificent setting to the food, the service and the comfort are second to none. Lansiya exudes character and personality through artistic touches and an intelligent design, whilst the staff’s warm and discreet nature was of just

What we really loved about this villa was its spaciousness and its privacy; you can enjoy the superb views without feeling hemmed in by walls as the gardens descend down the gently sloping hillside to the boulders beside the sea. We didn’t hear any traffic noise (what a relief!); instead there’s the unrelenting sound of the waves – especially loud and sensuous from the master suite. The sun sets almost directly in front of the property and with its generous lawn it would make an incredible location for a wedding or other special event.

We loved staying in the Lansiya Hill suite, the most private and exclusive bedroom. It’s a true couples’ hideaway but also perfect for parents looking to enjoy some luxurious private time whilst their older kids occupy Lansiya House (with its cosy TV Room on the ground floor). And we’d certainly encourage honeymooning couples to be decadent and book the whole property exclusively for themselves at just $100 on top of the Lansiya Hill rate. None of Lansiya’s bedrooms has air conditioning, but thanks to the breezy hillside location we didn’t miss it at all.

The food prepared by chef Sylvester is top quality; warm date pudding and butterscotch sauce served with afternoon tea was a treat as was our Japanese lunch feast! This passionate chef has 40 years experience in the food industry, learning his craft in Japan, India, Thailand and Europe. We loved that breakfast is different everyday and all bread, sauces, dips and accompaniments are freshly made. There are no menus; you discuss your daily requirements with Sylvester and all meals and soft drinks are included in the price.

Elegant and sensitively designed, we thought the Last House was inspirational. It makes great use of light, space and materials, and offers the most fantastic opportunity to stay in one of Bawa’s masterpieces. The house reflects its tranquil beach setting and, although

There’s no air conditioning but we actually found the ceiling fans and the cooling breezes to be sufficient. The house’s location is very private, sited at the end of a small paved track so you’re not likely to see anyone else around. A fence divides the front garden from the beach and the sloping lawn offers a perfect playground for the kids.

The staff, led by the knowledgeable Ananda, were discreet yet always available when we needed them. The Last House operates on full or half-board basis (not the most economical of systems). Full board costs $45 per person per day, whilst for half board (breakfast and dinner only) the rate is $30. These rates include soft drinks, but alcohol should either be brought with you (the airport has a great selection) or ordered in advance as the staff can provision for your supplies and bill you (at cost) on arrival. Guests can choose from an extensive menu; organic produce is preferred and seafood and fish are bought direct from the fishermen every morning.

The villa has undergone a bit of an update since our last visit. Cushion covers have all been replaced and are looking vibrant, and a few new pieces of furniture have been added. A small boat is available to guests for fishing trips now too (extra charge applies).

Maya is so refreshing; it’s easy to wax lyrical about how great this property is. What we really loved though was its uniqueness; it’s a labour of love that’s been designed with so much thought it’s like no-where else in Sri Lanka. The quality of the

Despite the initial bewildering generosity of space offered to us, we felt immediately drawn to Thalassa’s homeliness as its ease of living was enhanced by a design that broke down space into individual manageable areas for eating, sleeping, sociability and quietude so that