KK Beach
Galle

Just 12 kilometres from Galle’s historic fort, lies KK Beach, a contemporary and stylish hotel that feels like the perfect foil to the old-world romance of the city. Perched right on the golden sands of Habaraduwa’s west-facing beach, this chic little hideaway opens straight onto the Indian Ocean, with a horizon that seems to stretch forever and waves that set the rhythm for lazy, sun-soaked days.

The hotel was created by George Cooper, the award-winning visionary behind Kahanda Kanda, Ampersand’s much-loved hillside retreat set among the tea estates just inland. Where Kahanda Kanda is leafy, private and colonial in mood, KK Beach brings something fresh to the table; clean-lined, breezy and unapologetically modern. Together, they are two sides of the same coin, and guests staying at either can flit between them with ease thanks to a complimentary shuttle service - think plantation mornings and beachside afternoons!

With just ten suites, KK Beach is intimate enough that every guest is treated as if they were the only one staying. The rooms are spacious and airy, with high ceilings, polished concrete floors and splashes of vibrant colour courtesy of Sri Lankan contemporary art. Each piece has been specially commissioned and is for sale - the hotel is as much a gallery as it is a place to sleep. Views stretch either across the pool and gardens or out to the beach itself, where fishermen pull in nets at dawn and the sunset sends the sea shimmering molten gold.

Service here is thoughtful but relaxed, and the team knows when to anticipate and when to step back, which makes it feel more like staying in a beautifully run private home than a hotel. With its scale and rhythm, KK Beach is perfect for couples looking for romance, groups of friends seeking a stylish base, or solo travellers who crave privacy but still want the warmth of a small community around them.

Food is central to the experience. At the Bamboo Restaurant & Bar, the menu is refreshingly simple, showcasing organic produce from George Cooper’s estate and the freshest seafood hauled straight from the Indian Ocean. Traditional Sri Lankan curries are offered alongside lighter international dishes. The setting, breezy and informal, with tables spilling into the palm-shaded courtyard, makes it equally suited to languid breakfasts, poolside lunches or candlelit dinners with the waves rolling in just beyond.

KK Beach is superbly located for water-based adventures; whale watching off the coast of Mirissa, snorkelling and diving around Unawatuna, or simply catching a wave with one of the local surf instructors. If you’d rather stay dry, there’s cycling through nearby paddy fields and villages, deep-sea fishing excursions, or boat trips on serene Koggala Lake, with its Buddhist temples and tiny cinnamon plantations scattered along the shore. Back at the hotel, cookery classes with the kitchen team are a chance to learn the secrets behind Sri Lanka’s most beloved dishes, while yoga on the terrace offers the perfect counterbalance to long days in the sun.

For those seeking the ultimate Sri Lankan holiday, pairing KK Beach with Kahanda Kanda is irresistible, a seamless blend of tea-estate tranquillity and beachfront chic. But even on its own, KK Beach stands tall as one of the south coast’s most alluring boutique hotels.

I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.
George Bernard Shaw