The Sandhya

The Sandhya must be the most stunning hotel I have ever stayed in. Fronted right on the beach, the stage is set for a stunning vista, an infinity pool and a row of beach beds and umbrellas hug the Indian Ocean only to be interrupted by the odd fisherman or surfer. The bedrooms and ensuites are a continuation of the theme, allowing for maximum, light, beach and dreaminess. The food was great and so was the late night fun with the board games and late swims. The only problem with the Sandhya is that you don’t want to leave.

Very welcoming staff. Inventive and delicious food options. Unique architectural design and styling. We are repeat guests and have loved every one of our stays without question. The owner has recently installed a new pool which has to be one of the best pools going. All in all, a very well managed and run hotel!

There is something mystical about The Sandhya from the moment of arrival. The paradox of the imposing yet inviting, luxurious yet natural entrance makes you gasp and grin with expectation before you even step into the elegant interior. There are local touches everywhere...subtle but prevalent, all the same. The smiling welcome when the gate slides back to give access to your Tuk Tuk or your airport transfer; the shoes carefully lined up on the side of the stairs; the aromas and the gifts on the reception desk, the wooden key rings and the leather accessories. You know you need to check-in but you're too busy wondering when you will have time to photograph all the magnificently designed angles. More paradox...minimal, clean, symmetrical with modern-inspired furniture straight out of a magazine feature but cosy, warm, natural materials exuding comfort and that feeling of home at the same time. The boutique hotel's signature staircase allows the floor-to-ceiling windows space to breathe, and the stunning view is constant: day or night. Breathtaking! The concept is easy and simple but remarkable. It's a nine-room home with a lovely team there to make your stay unforgettable. But do they feel like staff waiting on you hand and foot? That would be too stifling, no. They are always there when you need them but this is more like being in a shared villa with friends (who you don't have to see if you decide you want your privacy). Open kitchen, honesty bar, a fabulous breakfast menu, lunch and dinner, board games, reading material, coffee-table books, a pool and garden, but - more importantly - a quiet corner of Kabalana beach, just metres from the azure waters and the waves. It's heavenly! The music, the daily fresh juices and fruit, the surf lessons (should you opt for some), the stretch of sandy beach, the access to everything else on your to-do list, the shared dinner or gatherings if you are fortunate enough to be there on a special occasion (like New Year's Eve with bubbles and fireworks) are carefully curated to make sure you build some unforgettable memories. You could be perched on the bar having a drink with the owner, running along the sand by sunrise, or lying on your sunbed chatting to a couple about their honeymoon. And, if you're alone, you will feel totally at ease doing your own thing in the lounge area or the dining room, tapping away at your laptop or reading your book, safe in the knowledge that someone is always around if you fancy a bite to eat or a refreshment, a massage, some tips on activities in the area or help planning your stay...and wherever you are in the hotel, you are always overlooking the garden and the sea. Magical! The Sandhya is a boutique hotel with a difference. It didn't feel like being in a hotel at all, but it had all the trimmings of a luxury resort. Sri Lanka was amazing, so being able to couple that up with accommodation I never wanted to leave, made every part of my itinerary a moment of anticipation. Did I me