Horathapola

Lovely colonial mansion hidden on a working coconut estate, perfect for those wishing to avoid the bustle of Colombo

Horathapola Estate lies hidden in the vast green coconut belt that stretches from Negombo to Puttalam and inland up to Kurunegala. Owners Javana and Pia Fernando have recently converted their family estate's grand mansion into a tranquil guesthouse that offers the ideal spot for spending the first or last few nights in Sri Lanka. An hour and a half drive from the International Airport, Horathapola is a good alternative to Colombo, where traffic congestion can make the journey from the airport to the city centre over 2 hours long.

The 1920's colonial mansion is surrounded by a large lawn with tall flowering trees and is part of a functioning estate. Take a walk under the shady trees, dip in the 50-foot rimless pool or Jacuzzi, relax in the extensive library or laze in the garden - this is the perfect place for those wishing to avoid the hustle and bustle of Colombo. It also makes a good starting or end point for trips to Kandy, the Cultural Triangle and Wilpattu National Park (if open).

Highs

• The pool - you could spend all day (and night) in it
• Having a drink whilst watching the sunset from one of the verandahs
• Getting Javana to show you round the working estate
• A wonderfully tranquil and hassle-free alternative to staying in Colombo, which offers excellent value for money and some of the best food in Sri Lanka

Lows

• You are in the middle of rural Sri Lanka, so not for those looking for bars and nightlife (though Negumbo is only an hour's drive away)
• To get there expect a bumpy ride over local roads, which seem to be getting worse every year, and can be quite tiring especially after a long international flight