Where to Stay In Maldives, Sri Lanka, Gokarna, Rwanda, Lonavala And Nepal

The newest rooms in Maldives, Nepal, Sambhar, Sri Lanka, Gokarna, Singita, Lonavala

ABODE AHANGAMA

Divia Thani checks out a new Art Deco villa (with a Mumbai connection) in one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting spots

Ahangama is just 20km from Galle on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Until the tragic bombings on Easter Sunday this year, it seemed the country was moving at an unstoppable pace when it came to attracting the world to its tea gardens and gorgeous coast—and Ahangama was at the center of the action. A surfer’s paradise, you could see beach clubs and little cafés mushrooming, fresh signboards proliferating and the tell-tale arrival of young foreigners who choose to stay for months or perhaps a few years. The attacks cast a shadow over the island nation, but thankfully, there are signs of recovery already. My advice is to book now and support the process.

Abedin Sham, Abode Ahangama’s founder, also runs Abode Bombay, a boutique hotel in Mumbai’s buzzing Colaba. Both cater to travelers looking for a true taste of local culture. In Ahangama, this means you’ll stay in a restored four-bedroom Art Deco villa just a few minutes from the beach. Sham retained much of the original charm of the property—built by a Danish architect in the 1950s—while allowing more natural light, making space more fluid and adding a courtyard. There’s a strong connection to the local community, both Sri Lankan and the expats who now consider Ahangama their home. Much of the furniture in the villa is made by local craftsmen, and linens are organic cotton, including bedding by No-Mad. There is an 18-m pool flanked by palm trees and deck chairs made of recycled teak where you can easily spend a happy, lazy day. There are also dreamcatchers strung over your bed, outdoor bathrooms and showers, as well as organic, coconut-based toiletries from a local Sri Lankan brand and a garden full of frangipani.