Taprobane Island

Your own private island a short wade from the coast – totally exotic and totally unique (sleeps 10)

This extraordinary villa occupies a tiny rocky island in Weligama Bay, just 180m off the south west coast of Sri Lanka. Built in the 1920s by the eccentric Count de Mauny-Talvande, it has subsequently played host to royalty, presidents and prime ministers and been home to various luminaries, including the novelist Paul Bowles, who wrote The Spider's House here.

Totally private and set in two acres of spectacular tropical gardens, this light and airy octagonal-shaped house is an imaginative traveller's dream. Its elegant colonial furnishings, large wrap-around verandah with 360-degree views, rock pool and stunning swimming pool make you feel as though you're stepping into a 1930s novel.

With 5 double bedrooms, it's ideal for 8-10 people and is available for overnight rentals or longer stays. Perfect for a group of friends, families or decadent honeymooners wanting to experience island life. Swim, read, paint, write or just fantasize!

Highs

• The villa’s history, recorded in framed letters, notes and photos, makes for a fascinating stay
• The villa provides sheer luxury and the 5 staff, including a cook, look after your every need
• You can experience the seclusion of island life while benefitting from its proximity to shore – perfect for for excursions
• The security guard who patrols the island maintains your privacy

Lows

• Guests must forget their dignity and wade through the shallow sea water to get to the island, but this is all part of the excitement
• If the weather turns, there is little protection – the wind blows straight through the house from one terrace to another
• Weligama and its beach are nothing special, though idyllic tropical sands are not far away