Owl and The Pussycat

Designed to evoke a ship's hull, the hotel captures the spirit and flair of Lear's poetry. Inside, the Drawing Room is a homely space with plush, magenta couches, patchwork rugs and an enviable collection of books. When lunch rolls around, take a seat on the terrace to tuck into fresh Sri Lankan cuisine at Botanik, where seafood is a regular feature. In between meals, grab a cocktail at the beach shack, enjoy a dip in the saltwater pool or luxuriate with a massage at the seaside pavilion.

Each named after a 'character' from the poem, the rooms and suites are decorated in bespoke art and furniture with bright walls, floral textiles and plenty of unique flair. Differing in size, the rooms all have a balcony or patio where you can sip on a cup of Ceylon, while the larger suites offer an eclectic lounge area, dining table and small open-plan kitchen. You'll purposefully find no TV or entertainment system, but instead there are many, many books. Through sliding screens, the bathrooms are finished with polished concrete counters and rainfall showers.

The long-standing Galle Fort is first on many itineraries, where you'll explore the great ramparts and excavate tiny market lanes for hidden treasures. Inland, there are fragrant cinnamon farms and tea plantations to stroll, and along the coast, there are innumerable beachy coves for an afternoon of snorkelling, surfing and sunning. Between November and April, whales can be spotted from the shore and tiny turtles make their way to the sea. In the evening, head to a quiet rice paddy for an authentic roti dinner.