The Last House

This one is a piece of architectural history, as much as it is a lodging. If you’ve followed the Sri Lankan tourism scene you’re familiar with the legacy of Geoffrey Bawa, the master architect known for his marriage of international modernism and Sri Lankan vernacular styles, as many of the island’s most remarkable hotels were designed by Bawa or his protégés. This one, the Last House, is Geoffrey Bawa’s legacy in a more concrete sense — as the name implies, this was the master architect’s final commission.

It’s a fitting monument. Six rooms house guests in remarkably homey style, and the wraparound verandas supply a wealth of public, yet sheltered, outdoor space. You’ll use it, too — the rooms are private, but the atmosphere at the Last House is a convivial one, right down to the market-fresh meals prepared by a talented local chef. It’s much more akin to a country-house getaway than an ordinary hotel stay.

Or maybe it’s more accurate to say “beach house.” The water’s edge is close enough that you’ll hear the surf from your bed, and many rooms have direct sea views. The beach is unspoiled in the best possible way — the nearest town, Tangalle, is five miles away, and it’s not exactly a big tourist center. All in all, a worthy tribute, if you ask us.