„It was once a country estate belonging to Galle’s head chieftain (yes, seriously) and is tucked away in gorgeous, quiet surroundings.„A short hop to (or from) the airport, The Wallawwa is the perfect end to your time in Sri Lanka, but it is so, so much more than a pre-flight pad. It was once a country estate belonging to Galle’s head chieftain (yes, seriously) and is tucked away in gorgeous, quiet surroundings, so is great for history buffs who will enjoy the hotel’s heritage as well as those looking to explore Colombo or the beaches of Negombo by day.The Wallawwa is a lovingly-restored 200-year old manor house, and you’ll spot original features as well as luxurious modern embellishments coexisting in perfect harmony. There is a lush spa, private plunge pools, bathtubs begging for long soaks, and an excellent restaurant that serves delicious Sri Lankan food as well as European fare. We sampled the Sri Lankan thali and loved every bit of the expansive feast that arrived at our table. The burger and crab cakes were also excellent, and super for when you finally tire of the local fare.Even if you have plans to explore in and around the property, the gardens and pool encourage you to linger. In all of the 17 airy and well-designed rooms, you’ll find chic stripe, crisp cotton, and dark wood, a well-considered tropical modern oasis.

The staff are super, all trained in some India and Sri Lanka’s very best hotels, and eager to please as well as recommend ways in which to make your time at this luxe hideaway special, the perfect start, middle or end to any visit to Sri Lanka.

We travelled to Sri Lanka with IBEX Expeditions; this itinerary was created especially for Nicobar and booked entirely through IBEX.

Find Nico’s Journey to Sri Lanka here.