Shangri-Lanka Villa

Top choice


The peaceful, rural setting of this intimate and beautiful British–Sri Lankan guesthouse, a kilometre inland from the main road and beach, means at night you'll fall asleep to the sound of cicadas singing to the moon rather than honking buses. The rooms are enormous, with bright splashes of colour, and there's tasteful art on the walls.

The food and the service are as good as the accommodation, and the centrepiece of the garden is an immaculate pool. Brits will enjoy the beans on toast and bacon and sausages for breakfast.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Aluthgama Market

1.27 MILES

Aluthgama has a bustling market every Monday, located across the train line, towards Dharga Town.

2. Galapata Raja Temple

1.27 MILES

About 3km inland from Bentota, on the south bank of the Bentota Ganga, this unexpected 12th-century temple has some lovely murals and a 2500-year-old…

3. Brief Garden

3.78 MILES

You'll find the Brief Garden 10 kilometres inland from Bentota. A barely controlled riot of a garden out of The Jungle Book, the grounds are a lovely…

4. Kechimalai Mosque

4.78 MILES

The first recorded Muslim settlement on the island took place at Beruwela, 6km north of Aluthgama, in 1024. The Kechimalai Mosque, on a headland north of…

5. Madu Ganga

9.71 MILES

Between Ambalangoda and Iduruwa the muddy Madu Ganga dances around the coastline forming a complicated network of lagoons and off-shoots. It’s fantastic…

6. Galigoda Shailathalaramaya Vihara

11.15 MILES

This peaceful Buddhist temple, 5km inland from Ambalangoda, sits on a hill surrounded by cinnamon plantations. The temple has a 35m-long sleeping Buddha…

7. Ariyapala Traditional Masks

12.03 MILES

Ariyapala Traditional Masks is a small ground-floor museum starring a life-sized statue of the last king and queen of Kandy. It also has a shop selling…

8. Ariyapala Mask Museum

12.06 MILES

This museum, with its dioramas and explanations in English, gives an interesting insight into Sri Lankan masks and the meanings behind them. It also sells…