Kahanda Kanda

Punctuated by bright yellow walls, the garden has a central lily pond and on the lawns is an infinity pool overlooking pockets of tea trees. The central dining pavilion serves a range of fusion dishes, Thai cuisine and those famous Sri Lankan curries. Jutting out above the treeline, is a glass-sided extension where you can enjoy a more private meal and gourmet dinners can be set up in the garden. If you fancy picking up some extra skills in the kitchen, join a cooking class where you'll learn much-loved family recipes.

Kahanda Kanda has 12 uniquely-designed villas, each with views over palm-speckled forest, groves of tea and the shining Lake Koggala from the veranda. Named after everything from peacocks to hibiscus, the villas come in various shades and styles including the Dubu villa imported from Java and villas designed like an English country house. Decorated in floral prints and antiques, each comes with a king-size canopy bed (covered with Egyptian cotton sheets no less), a mini bar and open-air bathroom (often with an outdoor shower). Some villas also have a lap pool, library or private garden.

Head out onto Lake Koggala for a boat trip past scenes of fishermen pulling up their nets and birds flitting between the trees. Stop off at a local cinnamon farm to learn how this quintessential Sri Lankan spice is produced or pay a visit to the overgrown Talathuduwa Temple Island. Learn to surf at the famous Weligama Bay or enjoy a cycle around nearby rice paddies before stopping at Wijaya Beach for a dip in the sea and a cocktail.