The Last House

In its mustard-coloured shell, the boundaries between inside and outside seem to dissolve at The Last House. Pergola-roofed walkways lead between spacious living areas with shabby-chic furnishings and secret gardens complete with bubbling water features. Set in a tropical garden, you'll find a small but inviting pool and beyond a wall of greenery is the beach. Dining is anything but conventional - enjoy private meals in your room, barbecue on the beach or al fresco seafood dinners on the veranda including the famous Sri Lankan crab curry.

Sleeping 14 people in total, the house has just six bedrooms, each with a view of the sea or lagoon. Opening onto an airy corridors or the garden, the rooms come in various shades from magenta to bright orange including turquoise shutters. Most rooms have four-poster beds with trusty mosquito nets and a fans or two. The Moonamal room has a king-size bed, outdoor bathtub and lounge area while the Cinnamon Hill room has a two bedrooms (plus an extra small room for the kids) and a private balcony.

From its seaside home, there's plenty to do at The Last House. Although the waves can be little rough, you can enjoy bodyboarding or surfing at the beach or putter by boat to a nearby bay for a snorkelling session. Play croquet on the lawns, cycle down the quaint streets of Tangalle or indulge in relaxing Ayurvedic treatments at a local spa. A little further away, visit the stunning rock temples at Mulkirigala or go wildlife-spotting at Yala National Park.