Paddy Villa

Paddy Villa is a one-bedroom hideaway set among rice fields in a quiet village at Dalawella, just inland from the south coast between Unawatuna and Galle. It sits away from the main road, which is around a four-minute drive, so the soundtrack is birdsong rather than traffic. Its pared-back, Bali-inspired style feels quite different from most Sri Lankan villas, and it suits couples, honeymooners or a small family with young children.

Outside, a private pool of about ten metres sits in a landscaped garden, with reclining loungers and large cream umbrellas looking out over the greenery. There is room in the garden for meals outdoors, a barbecue is available, and the paddy fields stretch away beyond the boundary. The beaches of Dalawella and Unawatuna are a short drive away, and the old streets of Galle Fort are within easy reach for a day of cafés and shops.

Indoors, the open-plan living room is built around a sunken lounge lined with soft white cushions, opening onto a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, coffee maker and breakfast bar, and a long timber dining table. The bedroom has a king bed, air conditioning and large sliding doors onto views of the fields, and the bathroom has a freestanding bathtub. Daily housekeeping is included, and a chef can cook lunch and dinner, charged at the cost of groceries plus 20%.