Looking out over the idyllic sands of Kalkudah Beach, this thoughtfully designed hotel blends gracefully into its palm-fringed surrounds, offering an impossibly relaxed stay with a tranquil spa and tantalising Sri Lankan cuisine.
Highlights
Sits on an unspoilt stretch of golden sands, surrounded by coconut groves and swaying palms
Time here is slow, with day beds, suspended loungers, a dreamy infinity pool and tropical gardens lending themselves to a languid pace of life
The spa is equally serene and tranquil, a meditative space for an indulgent massage or Ayurvedic treatment
The restaurant offers spellbinding views over the sea, with fresh seafood and shellfish taking pride of place on a menu of Singhalese dishes with a French twist
Just steps from the golden sands and azure waters of Sri Lanka’s Kalkudah Beach, this rustically stylish hotel sits amongst waving palms and lush gardens, its thatched roofs and tented rooms scattered throughout the grounds. Just an hour from the Cultural Triangle’s Pollunaruwa, Karpaha Sands is an idyllic spot to relax after a trip across Sri Lanka’s historic heartland.
The tented suites of Karpaha Sands are thoughtfully constructed to blend into their natural surrounds, with stone, wood and a muted colour palette that draws the eye to the sapphire blue of the ocean and the emerald of the gardens. From the Palam Suites which sit directly on the golden sands to the Kolaya Suites with their private garden and the two-bedroom Seed Suites, designed for families and friends, the tents are spacious, light and airy. Life here flows effortlessly between the outside and the interior, with private decks, outside showers and large windows that flood the tents with light.
Whether relaxing in a suspended lounger by the bar, curling up with a book in the library, playing board games or searching out the art scattered throughout the gardens, time at Karpaha Sands is slow, contemplative and considered. Slip away to the Spa pavilion for an aromatic scrub, massage or Ayurvedic treatment before an evening aperitif in the bar in preparation for a delicately spiced, exquisitely flavoured dinner. Lobster, crab and fish come fresh from the local fishermen, organic vegetables and fruits are grown in the garden, including the ubiquitous coconut commonly used in Singhalese dishes.
Begin your day with a morning stroll along the 15km of sugar-fine sands, as fishermen in vibrantly colourful boats bring in the day’s catch, lean back against a palm to watch as the gentle waves lap the beach before wandering back to the hotel for a breakfast of fresh pastries, exotic fruits and fragrant coffee. Cool off in the sparkling waters of the infinity pool, play with the children in the kids’ pool or laze on a day bed with a good book and a zesty juice. If you can be tempted from the comfort of Karpaha Sands, the colourful town of Batticaloa is just a 20-minute drive, discover the deep water port and historic fort of Trincomalee or explore the ancient capital of Pollonaruwa.
Offering indulgent relaxation and a base from which to explore the temples, markets and forts of the east coast, Karpaha Sands is a peaceful, serene spot on one of Sri Lanka’s most postcard-perfect beaches.
When to visit
Try the fresh catch of the day, it’s caught right in front of you from the local fisherman on the beach
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Enquire NowKarpaha Sands is located in Kuchchaveli which is situated towards the north-west of Trincomalee. The distance from Colombo to Trincomalee is about 257km
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