Ideal for couples, friends, families, and even solo travelers, Calamander Unawatuna Beach is an upscale boutique with a casual and social beach vibe, strong drinks, and on-site activities ranging from beach volleyball to yoga. Its seamless blend of Sri Lankan spirit and hospitality and Western standards, plus tour bookings, make it a good choice for first-time visitors to Sri Lanka. Calamander's 83 stylish rooms have simple, contemporary decor, balconies, and stocked minibars, and some have jetted tubs. The resort, spread across a stretch of beach and garden property, offers two pools (including Sri Lanka's only glass-fronted pool), kids' activities and pool, a small gym, two open-air bars and two restaurants, and a big beach for a backyard.
Ideal for couples, friends, families, and even solo travelers, Calamander Unawatuna Beach is an upscale boutique with a casual and social beach vibe, strong drinks, and on-site activities ranging from beach volleyball to yoga. Its seamless blend of Sri Lankan spirit and hospitality and Western standards, plus tour bookings, make it a good choice for first-time visitors to Sri Lanka. Calamander's 83 stylish rooms have simple, contemporary decor, balconies, and stocked minibars, and some have jetted tubs. The resort, spread across a stretch of beach and garden property, offers two pools (including Sri Lanka's only glass-fronted pool), kids' activities and pool, a small gym, two open-air bars and two restaurants, and a big beach for a backyard.
Surrounded by tropical gardens full of flowers, palms, and the occasional monkey, the 18-room Thambapanni Retreat feels like an escape from touristy Unawatuna. Homey, modern rooms with contemporary bathrooms, plus private superior bungalows, have fresh and bright look. Though not on the beach, it's a superb bargain for the area, with an Ayurvedic wellness program, free morning yoga, a swimming pool with bar, nightly live cooking stations including fresh-caught seafood, and free transport to nearby sister properties that are directly on the beach. However, the small grounds and some shared balcony space may disappoint those wanting more privacy, but overall the value and charm here is hard to beat.
Surrounded by tropical gardens full of flowers, palms, and the occasional monkey, the 18-room Thambapanni Retreat feels like an escape from touristy Unawatuna. Homey, modern rooms with contemporary bathrooms, plus private superior bungalows, have fresh and bright look. Though not on the beach, it's a superb bargain for the area, with an Ayurvedic wellness program, free morning yoga, a swimming pool with bar, nightly live cooking stations including fresh-caught seafood, and free transport to nearby sister properties that are directly on the beach. However, the small grounds and some shared balcony space may disappoint those wanting more privacy, but overall the value and charm here is hard to beat.
Part of a local hotel group, the 14-room Thaproban Beach House is a mid-range, beachfront hotel in tourist-filled Unawatuna that has a warm and welcoming vibe. Rooms are simple, but stylish, with hardwood accents throughout plus flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning -- some even have sea views. The hotel has direct beach access plus a full bar and excellent dining. This laid-back boutique property is ideal for budget-minded guests who don't want to sacrifice style, service, or cleanliness for location. There is no pool or spa on-site, but guests have access to both at Thambapanni Retreat, the hotel's sister property just down the road.
Part of a local hotel group, the 14-room Thaproban Beach House is a mid-range, beachfront hotel in tourist-filled Unawatuna that has a warm and welcoming vibe. Rooms are simple, but stylish, with hardwood accents throughout plus flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning -- some even have sea views. The hotel has direct beach access plus a full bar and excellent dining. This laid-back boutique property is ideal for budget-minded guests who don't want to sacrifice style, service, or cleanliness for location. There is no pool or spa on-site, but guests have access to both at Thambapanni Retreat, the hotel's sister property just down the road.
The four-pearl Cantaloupe Aqua is a calm and intimate oasis featuring chic, minimalist decor and gorgeous panoramic views of the ocean. The 15 stylish rooms and suites feature flat-screen TVs, LED mood lighting, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and minibars, and most have furnished balconies or terraces overlooking the crushing waves. Food is a highlight, with guests raving about the Sri Lankan, Thai, and Western fusion cuisine, plus all rates include breakfast. A small plunge pool overlooks the water and a spa offers a variety of treatments, but there's no gym and the beachfront can disappear during high tide. Travelers looking for a better beach hotel should check out the Calamander Unawatuna Beach hotel, which also has a ton more kid-friendly amenities.
The four-pearl Cantaloupe Aqua is a calm and intimate oasis featuring chic, minimalist decor and gorgeous panoramic views of the ocean. The 15 stylish rooms and suites feature flat-screen TVs, LED mood lighting, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and minibars, and most have furnished balconies or terraces overlooking the crushing waves. Food is a highlight, with guests raving about the Sri Lankan, Thai, and Western fusion cuisine, plus all rates include breakfast. A small plunge pool overlooks the water and a spa offers a variety of treatments, but there's no gym and the beachfront can disappear during high tide. Travelers looking for a better beach hotel should check out the Calamander Unawatuna Beach hotel, which also has a ton more kid-friendly amenities.
Ideal for couples or small groups of friends, CoCo Bay Unawatuna is a fresh and stylish spot along a quiet bay on the Indian Ocean, next to a fishing village. It's a five-minute drive to the main Unawatuna Beach area, and the Galle Fort takes about 15 minutes to reach by car. This small and upscale, 16-room boutique hotel offers crisp and bright rooms with hardwood floors, minibars, large jetted tubs, and options for private plunge pools or big decks. Oh, there's also those ocean views. Top features include a narrow pool, sundeck, a small pop art- and jazz-themed bar, and a casual restaurant serving international fare. For something with even more local character, it's worth considering the Thambapanni Retreat. Rates there are lower, but it's not on the beach.
Ideal for couples or small groups of friends, CoCo Bay Unawatuna is a fresh and stylish spot along a quiet bay on the Indian Ocean, next to a fishing village. It's a five-minute drive to the main Unawatuna Beach area, and the Galle Fort takes about 15 minutes to reach by car. This small and upscale, 16-room boutique hotel offers crisp and bright rooms with hardwood floors, minibars, large jetted tubs, and options for private plunge pools or big decks. Oh, there's also those ocean views. Top features include a narrow pool, sundeck, a small pop art- and jazz-themed bar, and a casual restaurant serving international fare. For something with even more local character, it's worth considering the Thambapanni Retreat. Rates there are lower, but it's not on the beach.
Thaproban Pavilion Resort and Spa, part of small local hotel group, has 16 villas and suites that are decked out in stylish and modern Dutch-influenced design, and decor pays homage to the famous Galle Fort just across the harbor. This upper-middle-range property may be small, but it looks and feels big. Between its towering facade and the powerful waves crashing against the large rocky coastline out back, the hotel packs in a restaurant, two bars, a pool, multiple sunning spots, a gym, and spa. While its not the best choice for beach bunnies, it's ideal for those looking for a chic and quiet, private oceanside vacation.
Thaproban Pavilion Resort and Spa, part of small local hotel group, has 16 villas and suites that are decked out in stylish and modern Dutch-influenced design, and decor pays homage to the famous Galle Fort just across the harbor. This upper-middle-range property may be small, but it looks and feels big. Between its towering facade and the powerful waves crashing against the large rocky coastline out back, the hotel packs in a restaurant, two bars, a pool, multiple sunning spots, a gym, and spa. While its not the best choice for beach bunnies, it's ideal for those looking for a chic and quiet, private oceanside vacation.
Sri Gemunu is a budget-friendly, family-owned spot flanked by the main road and a wild stretch of beach where it’s not uncommon to spot locals fishing off the large rocks. All 20 of this boutique’s barebones rooms are immaculately clean, come with sea views and terrace space; they are slightly dated. On-site you’ll find mostly open-air space for lounging, including tables, chairs, and loungers set up to view the ocean; a simple restaurant and bar; and a relaxed, local vibe. Off-site, at the sister property, there’s a pool and Ayurvedic spa center, though no transport is available.
Sri Gemunu is a budget-friendly, family-owned spot flanked by the main road and a wild stretch of beach where it’s not uncommon to spot locals fishing off the large rocks. All 20 of this boutique’s barebones rooms are immaculately clean, come with sea views and terrace space; they are slightly dated. On-site you’ll find mostly open-air space for lounging, including tables, chairs, and loungers set up to view the ocean; a simple restaurant and bar; and a relaxed, local vibe. Off-site, at the sister property, there’s a pool and Ayurvedic spa center, though no transport is available.
