A year ago, I visited Sri Lanka on a cricket tour, much as my colleague Michael Evans recounts in his impassioned appeal not to stay away from the island. While there, I was fortunate enough to stay at Lunaganga, possibly the best hotel I have ever stayed in. A friend, Catherine Leech, also found 10 fabulous places to stay while she lived in Sri Lanka doing voluntary work.

And now another colleague, Mark Sellman, has just returned from SL raving about two places he stayed in on the south side of the island - read his recommendations below:

We can't all be wrong, can we? - Steve Keenan, Travel Editor, Times Online

Mark Sellman writes.....

No1: Talalla Retreat, between Matara and Tangalla, at the southern tip of the island. Stunning location set in its own grounds with two storey villas, central open-sided eating area, swimming pool and huge yoga platform (they take groups for “retreats”). Rooms are great, we stayed on top floor of the villa, which is an open sided room with blinds for privacy and a marble “open air” bathroom.

Have balcony area for reading. Very nicely designed. But because things are open to the world, you can hear wildlife and your neighbour, which may not be to your liking if you don’t know them (or if even if you do…). The downstairs rooms are more private, but less, er at one with nature. Food is good, but for some the lack of menu would be too limiting. There was only one dish for dinner when we were there (I prefer it that way, as long as you like the chef!).

They are sprucing the food side up a bit – a veggie food consultant had arrived when we were leaving. You can have yoga lessons there and they arrange local trips, but for a few days you just feel like hanging out. There are some good day trips to temple caves, blow hole etc. Cost: well we got local rates, so I can’t be too helpful about that, but we ended up paying £35 per night B&B, which was a bargain, but not really reflective of the true cost, which is probably double for most visitors.

No 2 Aditya - a boutique hotel with beautiful, individually designed rooms. Has its own pool, restaurant, bar and is on the beach about three hours south of Colombo, near Hikkaduwa. The rooms are really wonderful: each has its own plunge pool, but apart from that they are bespoke. Some have sea views, which are popular, but to be honest you sort of sacrifice some architectural delights for the balcony.

A great use of concrete everywhere, as you tend to get in Sri Lanka. Very Bawa-esque. Food is wonderful and always available, as are the staff, who are there, but not in your face. Bathrooms are indoors/outdoors too, which means you never really want to leave the shower. TV, DVD library are there available if the rains come. Service is excellent. No complaints really, especially as we didn’t pay market rate again, just the local tariff at £75 per night B&B, which is about half the true price.

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