Ranna Beach House

Ranna Beach House is a single-storey tropical home set in a palm-filled garden that runs to a long, near-empty beach near Ranna, about thirty minutes’ drive from Tangalle. Beyond the gate there are few passers-by other than local fishermen, and a lagoon lies a short walk away. With three bedrooms and a small, attentive team, it is a peaceful fit for couples travelling together, small families and anyone who wants to switch off completely.

You step through the front door into a planted courtyard, then out to a wide lawn and a 7 by 4 metre pool, cleaned each morning and lined with sun loungers beneath the palms. The sea here is often too rough for swimming, so the pool is where the days are spent, with the sound of the waves just beyond the garden wall. A covered patio holds the dining table, looking over the garden, pool and beach, and there is barbecue equipment for meals outdoors.

Indoors, the style is simple and calm, with warm wood, cool polished floors and Sri Lankan touches. A semi-open lounge with deep sofas can be closed off with floor-to-ceiling glass and air-conditioned on hotter days. The three air-conditioned bedrooms each have a four-poster queen bed draped in white netting and a spacious en-suite bathroom, and two open through full-length glass doors onto the lawn. A cook specialising in Sri Lankan dishes prepares meals on request, and fresh fish or lobster from the fishermen is a regular treat.