On a completely unspoilt stretch of coast, near the market town of Tangalle, this barefoot hideaway awaits. You’ll find it nestled within verdant tropical foliage at the western end of the sweeping 2km curve of Mawella Beach. You can wander through your homely hideaway's garden gate and down to the shore, where a plethora of colourful fishing boats lie poised for action, and a breakwater creates calm waters for leisurely swims. Aside from short periods at dawn and dusk when the boats come and go, the beach is blissfully quiet. Expect to see a few fishermen mending their nets, monkeys and squirrels frolicking in the trees, and little else.
The former fisherman’s house has two bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and an airy living and dining space, all with smart monochrome styling. There are kitchens both indoors and out for self-catering, though a cooking team is available, and you'll want to make the most of them - the Sri Lankan dishes they produce are exquisite. Dine outside in the peaceful slice of jungly garden, where there's a sparkling pool at its centre, and a shaded pool house where you can cool off with a glass of something chilled.
Escapist couples and adventurous families with older children will cherish the seclusion of the laid-back locality, but rock-top temples, hidden coves, surf towns and turtle sanctuaries all lie within easy reach.
The Mawella Hideaway
Mawella, Tangalle & South Coast, Sri Lanka
Highs
- We loved the privacy and barefoot informality of the simple hideaway
- Mawella Beach (just steps away) has a breakwater to reduce waves and help fishermen land their boats, so the sea is shallow and good for swimming
- Waking up at dawn to watch fishermen hauling in their catch as the sun rises over the sea; this feels like a proper slice of authentic Sri Lanka
- The staff are extremely helpful and friendly, the food is delicious, and a daily clean is included
- The sparkling pool and pool house are lovely recent additions, framed by a jungle-strewn garden, so it's totally private
Lows
- A little hard to find (use the owner's map), and restaurants are a beach walk or tuk-tuk ride away
- Don't expect much in the way of nightlife here - this is a proper beach hideaway
- Nature often finds its way indoors, so expect to come across an insect or two
Best time to go
Our top tips
Be sure to bring your own books, digital entertainment and toiletries (including insect repellent).
- Beach Villa
- 1 house for 2-4
- Self-catering (+ cook)
- All ages welcome; best for older kids
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- On the beach
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Laundry Service
- Housekeeper
Rooms
The house has two air-conditioned bedrooms (a double and a twin), a living area with sofa and chairs, a small kitchen, and a bathroom with open-air shower. The overall look is smart and minimalist, with black frames and muted colours creating a calm retreat. A recent makeover has added more windows so the space feels light and airy.
Outside is a leafy garden filled with tropical foliage. The sparkling private pool sits at its centre, with an adjoining pool house for relaxing beneath fans and a sea breeze. Sink into a lounger, grab a refreshment from the outdoor bar/kitchen, clean sandy toes in the open-air shower.
The cottage is set near two other holiday cottages but feels completely private, yet it's only a stone's throw from the beach (40 metres, down a sandy path).
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Fan
- In-room treatments available
- Mosquito net
- WiFi
Eating
There's a simple kitchen in the house, equipped with fridge, stove, kettle and toaster, plus a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen in the pool house. You also have the option of a cook for up to two meals a day if you wish (lunch+dinner or breakfast+dinner). Chat with the cooking team each morning about what you’d like, and they’ll do the rest; you just pay retail prices for the ingredients. Staff can shop on your behalf – useful if you want to order drinks, midnight snacks, or specific items such as cereal.
Meals tend to emphasise local cuisine. For breakfast, you might try string hoppers with creamy curries and sambols or go continental with bread sourced from the local musical tuk-tuk; we would highly recommend the delicious buffalo curd, too. Lunches are light affairs such as salad Niçoise (the fresh local tuna is fabulous) or buttery prawns, while dinner options might include barbecues, grilled fish or a Sri Lankan curry spread. We tucked into a gorgeous chicken curry, accompanied by cinnamon beetroot, green beans, lentil dahl and crispy poppadoms.
If you want to eat out, there's a good restaurant at Halcyon Hotel on Mawella Beach, which is easily walkable. Expect good cocktails and fresh, tasty seafood.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- In-house cook
- Kids' meals
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Shopping service
- Toaster
Activities
- The main Mawella Beach is just steps away and is ideal for walking, jogging and swimming (particularly in the sheltered lagoon)
- Unakuruwa Beach has reef breaks for surfers; if you want to take lessons, Mr Bandula's Surf School will pick you up and take you to the best beaches for your ability level, but be sure to book early as he is very popular!
- Keen photographers will love the Mawella Beach fishing scene; dawn is usually a hotbed of activity. Staff can arrange for you to head out to fish with one of the boats (cost negotiable with the fishermen)
- Massages can be arranged in the privacy of your hideaway (request in advance)
- Take a tuk-tuk to Tangalle, whose bustling harbour and markets offer an insight into local life
- Observe marine turtles hatching and laying eggs at the Rekawa Turtle Sanctuary
- Hike to the top of Mulkirigala, a sacred Buddhist rock temple, to admire the cave murals and stunning 360-degree views
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Shopping / markets
- Spa treatments
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Well being
Kids
The cottage is great for free-range families. Children of all ages will enjoy the pool and Mawella Beach (but note, there's no lifeguard), and the section with a breakwater creates a calm lagoon for safe swimming.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Kids can sleep in the second bedroom, which is a twin.
Cots Available
Babysitting:
English-speaking childcare can be arranged with advance notice.
Baby equipment:
- Baby cot
- Booster seat
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
The cooks can tailor meals (and spice levels) to young taste buds, and the kitchens are handy for whipping up kids' snacks.
Kids Activities on site:
- Board games
- Swimming
Kids Activities nearby:
- Mawella Beach is excellent for swimming
- Seasonal turtle hatching (Rekewa, 20km away, has 5 endangered species)
- Udawalawe National Park (65km)
- Kalametiya bird sanctuary, go bird watching via boat across freshwater lagoons
- Whale watching excursions from either Mirissa (40km) or Dondra (22km), December - April
Families Should Know:
The garden is fenced, but the pool isn't. You'll need to keep an eye on youngsters in general as there may be currents. Kids should stick to swimming in the breakwater, as the stretch of sea beyond this has big waves.
Distances:
- Airport: 2.5-3 hours (Colombo)
- Hospital: 15 minutes (Tangalle)
- Shops: 15 minutes (Tangalle)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The hideway is located at the western end of Mawella Beach, between Dickwella and Tangalle, in southern Sri Lanka.
By Air
Most guests arrive via Colombo Bandaranaike (215km away). Staff can arrange transfers from the airport in a comfortable minivan (a 2.5-3 hour drive).
By Train:
You can take the slow but scenic train from Colombo to Matara (30 minutes away), where staff can arrange for a taxi to meet you.
By Car:
It you want to hire a car and driver for your entire trip, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator. Otherwise, the house staff can arrange cars, drivers and tuk-tuks for day trips and local journeys.
Airports:
- Colombo Bandaranaike International 215.0 km CMB
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 0.8 km
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Our guests' ratings...
Based on 15 independent reviews from i-escape guests