The rural setting of Ivory House is undeniably idyllic.  Often when you stay on the coast you miss out on experiencing the island’s lush, rural hinterland.  Here you can enjoy the best of both worlds as beaches are accessible in 10-15 minutes (there are plenty of local sprays of sand for sunbathing).  Families will find this house suits them well; the gentle lawns and shallow ledge of the pool are both child-friendly.

The villa’s wraparound veranda makes the most of the rural environs, and although it is scantily furnished with only a round table for six, there are loungers in the garden and beside the pool.  Wide folding doors bridge the gap between indoors and out, and thanks to their location to the front of the house, the huge living room and the front master suite benefit most from the rural vistas.  The second master bedroom is tucked behind, but has its own side veranda, whilst the remaining two bedrooms – one of which is very small and would suit a single traveller, a child or perhaps even a nanny – open onto the living room.

The staff looked after us well and we were happy with the chef’s cooking – amongst other items, his sweet potato and coriander soup was delicious.  We’d also recommend the Sri Lankan breakfast.  Also try to visit the nearby Kahanda Kanda hotel for afternoon tea or a meal at least once during your stay.

Lassana Kanda is a destination in itself – one of Sri Lanka’s grandest private villas (on a par with those in Bali and Thailand) and offers such an abundance of space and facilities that it encourages you to stay put.  The interiors were furnished elegantly and felt distinctly uncluttered.

The pool is stunning and plenty large enough to swim decent lengths while others relax in the shallows and admire the gorgeous palm-fringed valley views.  The meticulously designed tropical gardens complemented the verdant hillside setting perfectly.  We loved the pool pavilion for dining and the sun deck for relaxing on the plentiful loungers.

The guesthouse has a little kitchenette and works well for independent teens as well as elderly relatives or less mobile family members who prefer ground level bedrooms.  There are plenty of kids’ toys and facilities at the villa and this, together with such an abundance of space for letting off steam or finding your own quiet corner, make Lassana Kanda a dream destination for families.

The villa has a dedicated staff team.  The manager is also an experienced chef (he’s worked in Australia and the UK) and served us seared tuna with a mango salsa for lunch and a Thai selection from one of his evening set menus; both meals were excellent.  Staff do not live in, but there is 24-hour security and the manager is on call.