Luxury hotel holiday The Last House Tangalle

Designed by architect Geoffrey Bawa, The Last House is a quaint and colourful Sri Lankan house beside Mawella Beach in Tangalle. The luxury villa-style hotel offers a communal living experience for simple beachside stays with a swimming pool, direct beach access and a dining service.
Included in your Expressions holiday
  • Expressions Holidays includes scheduled flights with Sri Lankan London to Colombo return in economy, private transfers and bed and breakfast based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Last House, Tangalle

The Last House is an exclusive, vibrant small luxury boutique hotel with traditional charm, character, and colourful, eclectic interiors in a superb beachfront location. An excellent example of Bawan design, this property offers a luxury home-from-home on the Indian Ocean.

Facts in brief

Official star rating Small luxury boutique

Location Tangalle, beachside spot on the tranquil Mawella Beach. Approximately 50-miles from Galle

Annual opening All year

Closest airport Colombo Airport

Distance from airport Colombo Airport, 108 miles

Hotel facilities and services

Outdoor swimming pool, Dining service, Kitchen, Veranda, Living room.

Out and about nearby

Beaches of Sri Lanka's south coast, Tangalle, Tangalle fishing harbour, Mawalla Lagoon, Kalameliya Bird Sanctuary.

Special offers for this holiday>

Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.
Mrs H, Sep 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing the Na room for 7 nights

From about

£1,770

Holiday Code EXH1608J

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Call us on 01392 441245

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Last House, Tangalle

The Last House is a quaint and colourful Sri Lankan house beside the sparsely populated Mawella Beach in Tangalle. Designed by architect Geoffrey Bawa, The Last House is a fine example of local and traditional seaside dwellings, with striking yellow walls and turquoise door and window shutters oozing charm. Accommodating up to 14 guests in six bedrooms, it can be rented exclusively as a whole, or guests can choose to mix with other travellers for more social gatherings. From tropical gardens, a sandy pathway leads onto a secluded stretch of golden sand beside the Indian Ocean, but homely accommodation makes the most of the natural setting with plenty of open-air living spaces. A timber-framed, two-storey building, natural light and seaside breezes are exploited on large verandas which are perfect for sheltered relaxation day or night. At its heart is an interior garden with outdoor pool surrounded by sun loungers and blossom-strewn trees. To suit the vibrant external walls, interiors are filled with an eccentric mixture of clashing colours and fabrics, and there is an interesting mix of contemporary and antique decorative features. The centre of communal life at The Last House is the dining experience; evening meals are prepared by a local chef and served at a single dinner table, but the kitchen is also open for guests to help themselves throughout the day. Whether you book the house as a whole or one of the six guestrooms alone, your accommodation will be unique, colourful and full of the simplicity of beachside life. The most luxurious offering is the Cinnamon Hill Suite on the upper floor with sea and garden views and a large balcony which is perfect for private dining.

Room descriptions

The Last House offers has 5 rooms and one suite to choose from, including two twin rooms. Alternatively, you can rent the house as a whole. In-room amenities include a king size bed, mosquito net and ceiling fan. An additional bed can be provided.

Na large double bedroom and en suite. Ground floor location to the rear of the property, overlooking a small lagoon with access to rear garden.
Atteriya Large double bedroom and en suite. Ground floor with sea views and doors opening onto front and rear gardens.
Cinnamon Hill Suite Twin Room Large twin bedroom with en suite and bathtub
Moonamal Large double bedroom and en suite. Ground floor with sea views and doors opening onto front and rear gardens. With access to an outdoor courtyard with separate double-bath and shower area.
Cinnamon Hill Suite Double Room Large double room on the upper floor with a balcony overlooking the beach that is great for private dining
Whole House

Special offers for this holiday>

Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.
Mrs H, Sep 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing the Na room for 7 nights

From about

£1,770

Holiday Code EXH1608J

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Call us on 01392 441245

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Last House, Tangalle

Additional information

Minimum stays: A minimum stay of two nights applies.

Children: Children under 3 years stay free of charge in parents' room or on a cot.

Special offers

Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.

Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.
Mrs H, Sep 2023

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing the Na room for 7 nights

From about

£1,770

Holiday Code EXH1608J

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Call us on 01392 441245

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Last House, Tangalle

About Galle and south coast

A stay in Galle and southern Sri Lanka uncovers a world of historic Dutch forts, beautiful beaches and fishermen fishing on stilts, where sleepy villages lie hidden in palms behind the wide sandy bays and sheltered coves. The further east you go, the less populated and the more naturally wild and remote the landscapes become. The lush inland forest reserves in the south-west contrast sharply with the arid south-eastern national parks of Yala, Uda Walave and Bundala, where wild elephants and migratory birds flock around the water ‘tanks’ and where leopards and sloth bear have been known to roam. Between December and April, the south coast is popular for whale and dolphin watching, in the waters off Weligama Bay. Galle, on the south-west tip of Sri Lanka, is a reminder of the Dutch presence on the island. The new town may have the usual urban bustle, but the Dutch Fort, built in 1663, retains a timeless air. Constructed by the Dutch East Indian Company as a fortified town, Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site which is still intact with a thriving community living and working within its walls. You can walk along part of the ramparts with views out to sea on one side and the famous Galle cricket ground on the other. The region around Galle is fascinating and incredibly beautiful with its rainforest reserves and indigenous wildlife, as well as fishing villages and palm-fringed, sandy coves. We have selected hotels in Galle and along the South Coast which are ideally located to visit the many places of interest in the area. These hotels include Jetwing Lighthouse, a classy hotel designed by Geoffrey Bawa; The Fortress, an outstanding deluxe resort hotel; Amangalla, a splendid colonial-style hotel; Kahanda Kanda, a small and elegant countryside hotel; and Taprobane Island, a private island retreat.

Highlights of Galle and the south coast

Fascinating Galle has plenty to offer the visitor: Galle Fort – UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the few living fort cities in the world; Walk around the ramparts of Galle at dawn or at sunset; Arts & crafts shopping – jewellery, lace, rush & reed, home décor, furniture, antiques, batik and boutiques; The Dutch Reformed Church; Galle Literary Festival in January; National Museum; Maritime Museum in the Dutch warehouses of Galle Fort, just re-opened; Galle Markets; Galle Cricket Stadium; Hot-air balloon ride (December to April); River boat trip. A little way inland from Galle/Koggala: Hiyare Nature Reserve (volunteering possible); Kottawe Nature Reserve; Kanneliya Forest; Samakanda (organic farm, visit, walks and lunches available upon request); Village life bike rides; Handicrafts in the villages e.g. lace-making, rush & reed, woodcarving; Yatagala Temple. On the way from Galle to Yala you can enjoy: Stilt Fishermen; Cinnamon plantations; Unuwatuna beach; Martin Wickramasinghe’s house – museum (literary and 20th century life); Koggala Lake; Hinduangoda White tea factory and estate; Lace-making – Weligama, Dickwella; Surfing – popular surfing beaches from Unuwatuna to Mirissa; Weligama Bay; Coastal villages and fishing harbours; Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching (from Mirissa); Diving (from Mirissa); Deep-sea fishing trips (from Mirissa); Provincial town of Matara (Dutch heritage – fort and church); Dondra Head and Dondra Lighthouse; Kudawala Blow Hole; Mulkirigala Buddhist temple (inland); Uda Walawe National Park and Elephant Transit Home (inland); Sea Turtles laying their eggs on the beach, usually February to July (Rekawa Turtle Project); Kalametiya bird sanctuary; Bundala Nature Reserve (bird-watching mainly); Yala National Park; Kataragama – centre for Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim pilgrimages; Tissamaharama - ancient ‘tank’ and dagobas.

Cultural highlights of Galle and the south coast

There are many places to visit in Galle and the area along the south coast of Sri Lanka. In Galle itself, Galle Fort is home to a national museum housing Dutch and Singhalese exhibits of historical interest as well as a newly-opened Maritime Museum, a lighthouse and a 17th century Dutch Reform Church. The narrow streets within the Fort are fascinating for their architecture, lined with official buildings, shops and old town houses, some of which have been converted to stylish villas and boutique hotels. Outside the ramparts, Galle functions busily as a provincial town and port - brightly painted fishing boats line the shore and there is a lively market area with a whole pavilion dedicated to fish. Galle and the surrounding villages are full of artisans – lace makers, jewellers, woodcarvers, painters and people making things out of coir, rush and reed. The National Crafts Council has a centre by the old entrance to Galle Fort and there are plenty of small shops selling crafts, jewellery and antiques, as well as a few designer boutiques. Slightly further afield, there are numerous beautiful beaches and fishing villages including Thalpe, Unuwatuna, Matara, Koggala, Weligama Bay and Tangalle, as well as a number of National Parks with plenty of wildlife.

Festivals in Galle and the south coast

January: The Galle Literary Festival - this 4-day festival brings together Sri Lankan and international authors from around the world for writing workshops, talks, exhibitions and more at various locations in Galle. Past guests have included Vickram Seth and Gore Vidal. July: Unuwatuna Perahera - a 7-day festival commencing on full moon day. Matara/Dondra Perahera - with dedications to Lord Vishnu. Kataragama Esala Festival - a 10-day festival when pilgrims give penance to the Hindu war god, Skanda. July to September: Kite flying on the ramparts of Galle

Climate in Galle and the south coast

The average temperature on the South coast is 32° C with 65% humidity, though it is cooler and more humid in the west, getting progressively hotter and less humid the further east you go, especially the east of Tangalle. The evenings are a little cooler and the coasts enjoy sea breezes. Rainfall is experienced mainly during the south-west monsoon from May to August. The ‘calm’ season is December to April, when the seas are general calm and there is little rainfall. Whilst the sea appears calm out of the monsoons, there are still undercurrents and riptides.

Call us on 01392 441245

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