Laurent Vernhes' final pick is a tropical paradise...
There is an incredible concentration of well-designed leisure hotels in Sri Lanka, a collection probably second only to Bali...
Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Sri Lanka
As an island country in the tropics, it’s no surprise that Sri Lanka has phenomenal beaches, with great spots for diving as well as surfing. But so do a lot of other places. What makes Sri Lanka special is everything else. There’s something appealing about nearly every aspect of Sri Lanka, and now that the country’s long period of conflict has come to an end, more people will find themselves able to appreciate it.
Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Sri Lanka
Going inland, I can think of at least three reasons that would independently justify a trip to the country. The first would be the tea plantations in the central highlands. Sri Lanka is one of the largest exporters of tea in the world, and the plantations — lush, picturesque — are magnificent to visit. I happen to prefer green tea, but I love learning about tea-making in airy hillside factories and trying all the different Ceylonese varieties. A few of the original planters’ bungalows have been converted into luxury hotels, making the whole experience even more atmospheric.
The Kandy House Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Ceylon Tea Trails Hotel, Hatton, Sri Lanka
Secondly, there’s the “cultural triangle,” which encompasses sites of cultural and historical importance, not to mention true beauty, like the ancient ruins perched on a giant rock formation at Sigiriya and the city of Kandy. During the summer, there’s an elephant festival in Kandy that should not be missed. The relationship between humans and elephants in the subcontinent is amazing, and this is the place to see it.
Ceylon Tea Trails Hotel, Hatton, Sri Lanka
Last House
This brings me to the third reason, which would be the wildlife. Along with elephants, you can see crocodiles, buffalo and it’s one of the only places you can still spot leopards in the wild. On my last visit earlier this year, I brought my family along. For my young kids, seeing all these animals was undoubtedly the highlight.
The impetus for our trip was a chance to stay in a beach front home designed by the modernist architect Geoffrey Bawa, whom I have long admired. There is, however, an incredible concentration of well-designed leisure hotels in Sri Lanka, a collection probably second only to Bali. Heritance Kandalama and The Kandy House quickly come to mind. I suspect Bawa had a strong influence on the peaceful and elegant tropical architecture style that Sri Lanka has come to be known for.
Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Sri Lanka
On the whole, the country feels quite tranquil, and perhaps that’s why, as a New Yorker, it’s one of my favorite places to escape to. Many places that are relaxing are also dull, but that’s not at all the case with Sri Lanka. I could spend months there.
The Kandy House Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Laurent Vernhes
