Cove Beach House
Tangalle

Cove Beach House is one of Ampersand's Top Ten Private Villas in Asia.

Perched high above a secret crescent of soft white sand, Cove Beach House is the kind of tropical bolthole one dreams of discovering and never quite wants to share. Gently embraced by two acres of manicured gardens and coconut palms, this exquisite private villa in Tangalle is the epitome of barefoot luxury, private, peaceful and elegantly understated.

With sweeping views across the Indian Ocean, Cove Beach House is a masterclass in stylish island living. The architecture is simple but refined; pale, airy rooms that open out onto deep verandahs, high wooden ceilings and polished cement floors that stay cool underfoot. The villa’s three generous bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms, accommodate up to six guests in supreme comfort, making this an idyllic escape for families, friends or couples travelling together.

The interiors have been curated with an eye for timeless style; antique bookcases, woven ceiling fans, handpicked artwork and contemporary touches that elevate. The library is fully stocked and furnished with a handsome writing desk, while the living room features an iPod docking station, Bose surround sound system and an extensive film and music library, should you wish to escape the midday sun indoors.

But most of the magic happens outside when days melt away in the infinity pool, which spills into views of endless blue sea and sky. Meals are served alfresco on the veranda or beside the pool, with menus shaped around the catch of the day. Seafood is the villa’s speciality, prepared by your private chef with a deft fusion of Sri Lankan and Western flavours. And if you’re so inclined, the sleek, well-equipped kitchen is yours to use, though many prefer to simply sit back and let the team take care of everything.

Cove Beach House offers that rarest of luxuries of total privacy. Tangalle’s golden beaches, temples and markets are just a short drive away, while UNESCO-listed Galle Fort makes for a charming day trip further along the coast. Closer to home, swim in the warm waters of the bay below, snorkel among colourful reef fish or watch the surfers catch waves as the sun sets. In-villa massages and yoga sessions can be arranged upon request, just another layer of comfort in this deeply restorative escape.

Whether you come here to write, read, swim, surf or simply be, Cove Beach House will gently lull you into the rhythm of island life. Effortlessly chic, utterly secluded and infinitely soothing, this is tropical Sri Lanka at its most sublime.

Travelling is like flirting with life. It's like saying, 'I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.
Lisa St. Aubin de Teran