The Last House
Tangalle

The Last House is Sri Lanka’s most celebrated architect, Geoffrey Bawa’s final architectural creation and is set on a private crescent of beach. With five bedrooms, the villa is private and luxurious, and adorned with wonderful furnishings that make you feel at home.

Nestled within two acres of gardens, the villa also has a pool and a tranquil courtyard. It’s the perfect place to relax, listening to the sound of the sea while the in-house staff ensure your stay is unforgettable.

The design is classic Bawa; open, airy spaces that dissolve the boundary between indoors and out, with courtyards framing the tropical light, colonnaded verandas leading straight to the sea breeze, and a languid rhythm that encourages you to slow down. Every room is individually decorated with antiques, vivid textiles and splashes of colour, creating a lived-in elegance that feels both sophisticated and deeply personal.

With just five bedrooms, The Last House is ideal for families or groups of friends seeking privacy, while still enjoying the comforts of a fully staffed boutique retreat. Dining is flexible and informal and meals are tailored entirely to your tastes, with Sri Lankan curries, just-caught seafood and fresh tropical fruit prepared by the in-house chef and served wherever you wish - by the pool, in the shaded courtyard, or under the stars with the sound of the waves for company.

Beyond the villa, Tangalle’s golden beaches, sleepy fishing villages and wildlife-rich lagoons await exploration. Days can be spent cycling through the countryside, kayaking on Rekawa Lagoon, spotting turtles on the beach, or venturing further afield to Udawalawe or Yala National Parks for elephant and leopard safaris. Yet the real beauty of The Last House is how hard it is to leave; its seclusion, its sea-facing gardens and its effortless Bawa charm create a sense of timelessness that makes you feel as though you’ve stumbled upon your own private corner of Sri Lankan paradise.

Photographs courtesy of Manor House Concepts, All Rights Reserved

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