M-Beach House

Triplets by the Bay

Three architect-designed pavilions enclosed in an indigenous flowering garden, this bayfront compound is a deliciously languorous getaway for family or a small group of friends overlooking southern Sri Lanka's Mawella Bay, where lush jungle meets the Indian Ocean. 

The architectural ensemble’s four bedrooms face Sri Lanka’s tranquil Bay of Mawella or overlook the shining pool, insulated by tropical landscaping and gently swaying palms. Adding to this life of leisure ambiance, three meals and a cocktail hour nibble from the property’s organic vegetable garden and fruit orchard are prepared daily by in-house chefs. Find respite in the elegantly assorted furnishings, a look where tropical British Colonial melds easily with a more modern, coastal decor style. One of the three pavilions is a contemporary ambalama, inspired by Sri Lanka’s traditional shelters for pilgrims, traders and travelers to rest. Covered by its tile roof, yet fully open to the outdoors, the ambalama houses a poolside living/dining area and runs along a shaded, pool facing portico.

The villa offers a variety of beautiful spaces and personalised proposals for weddings, events, and other special occasions. You can organise a welcome drink or cocktail by the pool, a formal lunch or dinner in the garden, an intimate ceremony, or a joyful gathering on the beach.

Around

Perched over Mawella Bay, one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful, protected swimming beaches, the house makes a great base for exploring its restaurants, cafes, and waters. The bay is on Sri Lanka’s south coast, a place where jungle meets the Indian Ocean, and sailing, sea kayaking and fishing (for mahi mahi or red snapper, among others) are popular pursuits. Scuba diving and snorkeling are available nearby as well, and the house is a 10-minute drive from Hiriketiya, where the waves are surfable. Also 10 minutes away, the traditional market town of Tangalle offers local delicacies and powdery beaches that stretch out on both sides of the small community. Tangalle beaches range from secluded coves and calm waters to crashing waves better for beachcombing and seashell collecting than swimming. Local seafood shacks line the Tangalle waterfront under a dizzying variety of palm trees, and the mangroves here in the Mawella Lagoon area are worthy of exploring by canoe or kayak to witness bird species and rare flora. The nearby golden sands of Rekawa Beach are nesting grounds for several species of endangered sea turtle including loggerhead, hawksbill, olive riddle, green and leatherback. Cultural sites include the ancient Buddhist temple of Mulkirigala Rock Temple, dating from the 3rd century BC, that offers visitor walkways across its 200-meter-high outcropping, wonderful views, plus cave paintings and heritage trees. The national parks of Udawalawe and Yala make great day trips to view leopards, elephants, crocs, deer and sloth bears. Or head to the world’s second largest blowhole, named Hummanaya for the sound it makes when it blows some 30 meters high, the result of water pressure build up in the gorge below it.

Location

Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Nearest airport: Bandararanaike International (3 hours); Koggala (30 minutes), with domestic flights only

Best time to visit

November to April (monsoons typical in October)

Photography: Daisy Wingate-Saul for Lodestars Anthology 'Islands' Issue