Villa Le Maas Tota

Villa Le Maas Tota sits on a lush hillside at Koslanda, south of Ella in Sri Lanka’s hill country, looking out over misty forest, terraced rice paddies and the mountains beyond. A stream runs past the entrance and a small waterfall tumbles through the grounds, so the soundtrack is water, birdsong and wind in the trees. With five bedrooms and plenty of space to spread out, it suits families and friends who love walking, waterfalls and quiet countryside, and Diyaluma Falls is close by.

The infinity pool is the highlight, looking straight out to the mountains, with a suspended net daybed nearby for lying back above the valley. Paths wander through the gardens and past towering trees, there is an al fresco dining area for barbecues and home-cooked dinners at sunset, and outdoor sofas built into the hillside circle a fire pit for cool evenings.

Inside, a gilded chandelier and marble floors greet you in the foyer, and the bright, whitewashed rooms have tall windows and French doors to let in the forest air. A ten-seat dining room and a fully equipped kitchen sit at the heart of the house. The two master suites are large and light, each with a mini-fridge and seating area, and the ground-floor master opens through tall glass doors onto the patio, while one of the other bedrooms has its own kitchenette, handy for longer or multi-family stays. Daily breakfast is included, and a private chef cooks other meals on request.