Villa Hundira

Grade - Boutique Medium Class

Overview

Living up to its name the Villa Hundira feels more like a private house rather than a boutique hotel, nestled within two acres of tropical gardens and bisected by a tributary of the Negombo Lagoon that guests can use to explore the area and go fishing. High roofs, large glass doors and windows allow for spectacular views of the lagoon where local fisherman go about their day’s work and give a feeling of immersion in the community. Not on the beach but perfect if you’d rather have a more local experience and get your first feel of the country.

Facilities

With a large swimming pool and various spaces for reading, the emphasis is on relaxation. Those looking to explore can take kayaks or fishing boat out into the lagoon. Meals are taken on the veranda looking out over the gardens out to the lagoon and the food is an excellent mixture of western and Sri Lankan cuisine. To further add to the personable nature of the hotel, guests are welcome to join the chef in the kitchen and learn how to prepare a Sri Lankan meal. Wifi is available in the lounge and there is a small spa offering Ayurvedic massages and treatments.

The owners try to spread the benefit of tourism out into the surrounding community by operating a craft project that provides employment to village women. The Thimble International Arts and Crafts workshop adjoins the villa and welcomes guests to try their hand at painting on fabric and creating colourful cushion covers, wall hangings, and soft toys. The villa shop sells gifts and proceeds go to Thimble.

Rooms

Interiors are a stylish blend of contemporary architecture and furniture with artwork and decorations from Sri Lanka. The high ceilings give a real feeling of space each with large en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning & ceiling fan, satellite TV, tea/coffee facilities and safe.

Upgrade to a choice of suites that offer extra space and balcony, garden or terrace with superb views over the lagoon and out to sea.

Jetwing Lagoon

Grade - First Class

Overview

Just 25 minutes from Colombo airport this boutique beach hotel is a popular choice as the first or final night in the country. Located on a picture perfect stretch of coast that has the Indian Ocean on one side and Negombo Lagoon on the other, its centrepiece is an ocean-like, 100-metre swimming pool. This was one of Geoffrey Bawa's earliest hotel projects and fits the bill perfectly as first class beach hotel. The sea here isn’t suitable for swimming because of strong currents.

Facilities

Apart from the colossal main pool there is a second smaller one closer to the beach. The main restaurant looks out over the lagoon and is built in Bawa’s minimalist style serving Sri Lankan and international cuisine. The lagoon is the focus for jet skiing, water skiing and boat trips out to the Muthurajawela wetlands or for fishing. The hotel’s spa offers a wide selection of beauty treatments and Ayurveda therapies. There is also a fitness room.

Rooms

All rooms are spacious with en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, Wi-Fi, tea / coffee making facilities, satellite TVs, minibars and safes.