An island strife with history, Sri Lanka is now the place for luxury in Southeast Asia, with picturesque locations made for capturing stunning Instagram photos, and creating stories worth telling. We ventured off the beaten track to experience some of the best hotels that Sri Lanka has to offer.
The Beach – Amanwella
One of the challenges of chasing luxury in Southeast Asia is finding a spot not overrun with people. Even greater a win is finding a serene spot at one of the famous Aman resorts. Amanwella lies on the southernmost tip of the island, with its own glorious crowd-free beach. Sea breezes blow straight into the villas, the quaintest tuk-tuks whisk you around, and the restaurant serves non-pretentious food. At the tip of the beach is a now-famous Instagram swing swaying over the ocean.
The Tea Trails – Camellia Hills
Something truly unique to this country is the famous Ceylon Tea Trails, dramatically rolling hills at the foot of small mountains, covered in endless tea leaf crops. Camellia Hills sits above the Castlereigh Reservoir in the heart of one of the many tea plantations. The rooms are reminiscent of a late 20th-century American house and offer stunning views of the valley. They pluck the vegetables straight from their own garden – each meal aptly deserving of the word “fresh.” And yes, the smell of tea in the air is something worth being bottled.
The Jungle – The Kandy House
Colonial opulence in the most retro sense of the word – the type of place that asks when you’ll take your dinner as if in a Hemingway novel. Built by the last Chief Minister of Kandyan Kingdom (defying all by using Royal-only designs), The Kandy House is tucked in a quiet little jungle on the outskirts of Kandy. Each corner is adorned with colourful palettes and inviting furnishings. A stroll through their grounds takes one back to the time of relaxation before the word “unplug” was attached.
What to Pack
From the tea-lined dramatic hills to the blue water beaches, many a location is begging for your summer holiday wardrobe. Packed here – Jacquemus wears, Prada runway swim, Chanel beach accessories and some Marrakshi Life linens. Dr. Barbara Sturm serums are saving skin in the cool of the hills and heat of the beaches. Aesop face lotion with SPF is the sun protection and Cle De Peau masks for post-sun relaxation.
Editor
Declan Chan & Adam Bires
