Mawbima Villa Hikkaduwa

Mawbima Villa is a relaxed, roomy family house in Hikkaduwa on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast, set behind its own gates with a paved driveway, a tropical garden and a private pool. It is about space and ease rather than polish, with crisp white walls, warm wooden furniture and bright artwork, and five bedrooms for up to ten guests make it a sensible, comfortable base for families and groups of friends. Hikkaduwa Beach, its coral reef and the town’s casual restaurants are close by, and Galle Fort makes an easy day out.

Outside, the pool is framed by palms and frangipani, with greenery wrapping round it as a natural screen and sun loungers on the paving. There is a shady seating corner by a striking black-and-white wall, lawn for children to run about on, and a barbecue for evenings at home. Upstairs, a wide covered veranda with white columns looks out over the treetops.

Indoors, the open living and dining room has comfy sofas, a TV with streaming and doors that open to the terrace, alongside a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, toaster and coffee maker for those who like to cook. Four bedrooms have king beds, most of them four-posters with mosquito nets, each with air conditioning, a TV and its own bathroom, and a fifth room with two sets of bunk beds is ideal for children. Daily housekeeping is included, and home-cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner can be ordered at an extra charge.