Alila Koggala

Kahanda Kanda is a tranquil hideaway set among the lush jungle and tea plantations on the northern fringe of Koggala Lake. Just a 30-minute drive from Galle, you can easily experience the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying beautiful scenery and the feeling of total seclusion. There are ten villas inspired by local culture and beautifully decorated with a mix of antiques and contemporary design pieces. Each villa has its own unique style, from the… colonial air of the Tea Suite and the monochrome Peacock Suite to the cool green and white tones of the Nelum Suite and the elaborate English 18th-century style of the Garden Suite. Three villas come with private pools and many feature verandahs looking out over the treetops towards the Koggala Lake and a working tea estate. Fruit, vegetables and spices are grown on-site and used alongside fresh local produce to create mouthwatering Sri Lankan curries and fusion cuisine. If you’re a whizz in the kitchen, then learn how to create the perfect blend of spices during a cooking class. There is also the option to enjoy a romantic meal in the garden, under a blanket of stars. You are perfectly located to explore the surrounding countryside – take a tour of the local tea estate, visit the bustling markets or enjoy a boat ride on the serene waters of Koggala Lake – and the historic Galle Fort is just a short drive along the coast. There is also a swimming pool and a spa nestle among the tea plantation where guests can unwind with a massage.

Nestled on the banks of the idyllic Koggala Lake, Tri is an exclusive and secluded hotel with a focus on sustainability and wellness. The brainchild of British photographer, Rob Drummon and yoga instructor, Lara Baumann, the hotel is beautifully designed with living walls and green roofs and local materials, including cinnamon sticks, used in its construction. At the centre of the hotel is the three-storey water tower with a viewing deck where guests can take in… the spectacular views. Surrounding the tower are eight suites, laid out in a spiral design which is inspired by the Fibonacci sequence. Sri Lankan furniture decorates the suites and  all wooden accents, including doors and flooring, are crafted from recycled Jak wood. Local granite is used to create the pathways, foloors and shower walls. Three of the suites feature private pools. Sustainability is one of the core values of Tri. Buildings occupy natural folds between the trees and living roofs are planted with native creepers and plants such as water grass and dwarf bamboo. A blanket of tea, cinnamon, lemongrass and frangipani leads down to the lake where a forest path of endemic trees and mangroves attract butterflied and birds. Dining at Tri is a real treat, with fresh seafood from the lake and vegetables, herbs and spices harvested from the garden. Enjoy fresh, contemporary dishes in the lofty dining room with local art and photography on display, or dine al fresco in the shade of the hotel’s ancient banyan tree. Enjoy yoga classes in the elevated studio above the bamboo grove, and unwind in the light and airy spa which features a steam cavern and oiffers a range of rejuvenatin Ayurvedic treatments. There is also a beautiful outdoor swimming pool with multiple decks and terraces.