If you haven’t made any holiday plans yet, here’s a suggestion: how ’bout a beachfront bungalow by the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, in the fishing village of Talpe, away from the city’s crowds so you can actually hear your thoughts?
Situated right along the waters of the Indian Ocean, Tanamera is a private residence designed to mimic the country’s traditional architectural elements in a contemporary way. With three bedrooms for up to six guests, the space features high ceilings, folding doors, and verandahs — with a family dining room, a TV room, a living room, and an outdoor terrace.
If you’d rather take a stroll outdoors, the pool pavilion leads out to neatly manicured lawns and coconut palms.
Since it’s a private experience, the place comes with an in-house chef who creates a different menu each day based on locally sourced ingredients and Sri Lankan flavors.
To make the most of out the peace and quiet, you can arrange for sunrise yoga sessions or a visiting masseuse to stop by. And if you’d like to pop out for a bit to explore, the concierge team will recommend surrounding spots to check out, including the Galle Fort World Heritage Site, bird sanctuaries, tea plantations, paddy fields, and pristine beaches. Or you could go wild with the animals at the Habaraduwa Turtle Sanctuary and the Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage.
It’s a tad pricey to rent, but ideal if you’re up for a weekend family getaway in a non-touristy spot.
Tanamera is at Matara Rd, Talpe, Sri Lanka. +65 6736-7357. May-Sept: From US$1,260, min stay three nights; Oct-Apr: From US$1,620, min stay five nights.
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