Villa Ceu Ceylon

Villa Ceu Ceylon stands right on the coast at Kalametiya, east of Tangalle, on a narrow strip of land between the Indian Ocean and a calm, emerald lagoon. It is a bright, modern two-storey house with sweeping lawns, big windows and sea views from almost every room. With five bedrooms, breakfast included and a private chef on hand, it suits families, multi-generational groups and friends who want space, sunshine and the beach at the bottom of the garden.

The swimming pool runs alongside the house, edged with timber decking and sun loungers, with a manicured lawn and swaying palms stretching beyond it. A wooden fence and private gate lead from the garden straight onto the sand, and a raised deck looks out over the waves. Breakfast can be served outdoors in the sea breeze, and kayaks and bicycles can be arranged for exploring the lagoon and the coast.

Inside, the double-height living room has soaring ceilings, a chandelier and walls of glass framing the garden and ocean, with a dining table alongside for meals prepared by the chef. The master suite has a four-poster king bed and an open-plan bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, and the four queen bedrooms, two upstairs and two on the ground floor, open onto balconies or the garden. Every bedroom has air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a TV, a seating area and a modern en-suite bathroom.