The Summer House

The Summer House stands right on the seafront at Ambalangoda, on Sri Lanka’s west coast, its crisp white two-storey frame set among coconut palms with the sand at the gate. It is a striking contemporary villa, finished in a calm palette of black, white and grey, and every one of its four bedrooms looks out to sea. With a team of five staff and plenty of space to spread out, it suits families and small groups who want a stylish, easy-going beach base close to Hikkaduwa and the mask workshops of Ambalangoda.

The pool deck is raised to the level of the living room, so the water and the ocean beyond are in view even from the sofa. Sun loungers and big umbrellas line the pool, and an outdoor lounge with deep cushioned sofas faces the sea. The highlight is the long alfresco dining table on the terrace, lit by lanterns in the evening, where meals come with the sound of the waves on all sides.

Inside, the living room is divided from the pool only by glass doors, furnished with plush sofas, antique cabinets and lanterns, with paintings of Sri Lankan life on the walls. A long dining table sits alongside, again with views of the water. The bedrooms are calm and uncluttered, each with a king bed, air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, two on the upper floor and two beside the pool. A chef cooks in the villa, breakfast is included, and housekeeping, a personal guest assistant and 24-hour security are all part of the service.