The Chalet

The Chalet is a charming two-bedroom cottage near Ahangama on Sri Lanka’s south coast, a few minutes’ walk from the beach in a quiet village setting. It mixes period furniture with modern comforts in a traditional Sri Lankan style, and it is a lovely fit for couples, a small family or two friends who want the ease of a staffed home without the scale of a large villa. Galle Fort, Unawatuna and Mirissa are all within reach for days out.

The cottage sits in manicured gardens shaded by coconut palms, with a six-metre swimming pool set into the lawn and loungers alongside for sunbathing. A deep veranda runs along the front of the house, furnished with cushioned sofas and a round dining table looking straight out over the garden and pool, and this is where most meals are served.

Inside, the living room has deep sofas and a satellite TV, and a small kitchen sits behind for the staff to work their magic, with the cooks known for a long menu of Sri Lankan dishes. The master bedroom has a draped four-poster bed, and the second bedroom has two single four-posters plus space for a third guest. Both rooms have air conditioning, garden views and en-suite bathrooms with rainfall showers. Housekeeping, cooks, a gardener and pool maintenance are all part of the stay.