Kahanda Kanda

This style-conscious converted house looks down from its hilltop perch, upon a dense twelve-acre tea plantation. Designed to be reassuringly familiar, with scattered ‘Country Life’ magazines in the high-beamed lobby-cum-library, Kahanda Kanda is private and luxurious. This leads onto to the restaurant from where the views are of palm-fringed tropical jungle. A long swimming pool runs the length of one side of the building, in tandem with lily ponds. The ten individually designed Villas (three with private plunge pools) are decidedly colonial - think old oil paintings, block-print cotton, antique loo seats and four-poster beds - yet also feature contemporary pieces. And high ceilings keep the room cool and ventilated. The bathrooms have an outdoor ‘rain shower’ area and their eco-credentials are firmly on display with a solar powered hot water supply. The food is given much care and attention here too. The majority of fruit and vegetables are grown on the estate and these are complemented by the best locally sourced produce. With two of the three chefs hailing from Thailand there is a delicious fusion vibe going on and plenty of traditional Sri Lankan dishes too. For those wanting a romantic diner a deux, they'll happily set up your own private table under the stars.....Kahanda Kanda is quite simply a luxurious treat and ideally placed for exploring both Galle itself and the surrounding beaches.