Ahu Bay
Ahungalla

Set on a small headland on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, Ahu Bay feels quietly tucked away yet close enough to the island’s rhythm. Less than a two-hour drive away from Colombo, it sits between two calm bays at Ahungalla, where fishermen still mend their nets at dawn and the horizon seems to stretch forever. With just 13 rooms and suites, it is an intimate retreat designed for travellers who prefer understatement to spectacle.

Part of the Resplendent Ceylon family, the team behind Cape Weligama, Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Ceylon Tea Trails, Ahu Bay follows the same design philosophy - thoughtful, contemporary spaces that are deeply connected to place. Interiors are pared back and breezy, with natural textures, pale woods and soft linens that let the sea views take centre stage. Rooms range from ten light-filled Bay View Rooms and a spacious Bay View Suite to two Bay View Pool Suites with private plunge pools. For families or groups travelling together, a Suite combined with two Bay View Rooms can be reserved as a three-bedroom Bay View Residence, offering the perfect blend of space and privacy.

The heart of the property is the open-sided restaurant and bar. There is no formality here; it is a space to drift in and out of throughout the day. The menu leans on fresh seafood and produce sourced from the island’s markets, with Sri Lankan flavours sitting comfortably alongside lighter Mediterranean and Asian dishes. Sunset dinners on the beach are a highlight, as are the cocktails, which nod to local spirits and seasonal fruit.

A small spa offers therapies that draw on time-honoured traditions and island botanicals, while the infinity pool looks straight out across the ocean. Beyond the property, Ahu Bay makes a good base for exploring; Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga estate is a short drive away, the backwaters around Balapitiya are best explored by boat, and between December and April there are whale-watching trips to be had from nearby Mirissa.

Opened in 2023, Ahu Bay has already caught the attention of the travel press. Vanity Fair, the Financial Times and Condé Nast Traveller all highlighted it as one of the island’s most exciting recent openings. Together with sister property Kayaam House in Tangalle, it represents a new wave of small, design-led hotels on Sri Lanka’s coastline.

Service is unobtrusive and relaxed, more like being looked after in a private home than a traditional resort. Guests set the pace, some days are spent entirely in residence with a book, others given over to exploring the island’s landscapes and culture.

In essence, Ahu Bay is a place for those who want a balance of calm and connection; a contemporary beach house with a sense of ease, attentive service and the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller