TOP ROW: COURTESY OF CHENA HUTS (2) MIDDLE ROW: COURTESY OF GALLE FACE HOTEL COLOMBO (2)BOTTOM ROW: COURTESY OF OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT (2)
BEACH SHACK AT THE
OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT
Named for the 1871 Edward Lear
poem, this quirky 17-room boutique
packs plenty of whimsy into its
palm-shaded grounds. Whether
you’re dining at the Runcible
Spoon or lounging by the pool,
you’re never far from the ocean’s
edge. Sipping one of the custom
cocktails at The Beach Shack
offers the loveliest view of all. Try
the Gingered Owl, with a zingy
blend of locally distilled arrack,
fresh ginger, and fiery Sri Lankan
village snake chilies. otphotel.com;
cocktails Rs800–1,200.TRAVELLERS’ BAR AT
THE GALLE FACE HOTEL
COLOMBO
When this grande dame finished
a 30-month top-to-toe touch-up
in 2016, so did its iconic seaside
watering hole. While a fresh coat of
paint may have given the Travellers’
Bar an injection of energy, it hasn’t
taken away from the place’s graceful
colonial aura. Toast the bygone
days with a Basilicum, a pineapple-
infused riff on a basil smash, or a
Hugo, made with elderflower syrup
and mint leaves from the hotel’s
garden. gallefacehotel.com; cocktails
Rs900–1,200.THE BAR AT CHENA HUTS
BY UGA ESCAPES
“Huts” is something of a misnomer
for these luxe thatched-roof abodes
on Sri Lanka’s savagely beautiful
coastline. Wildlife from neighboring
Yala National Park roams through
the 14 villas and the vegetation
that grows freely throughout the
sprawling grounds. Situated by the
pool and overlooking the crashing
surf, the hotel’s intimate bar serves
cocktails in an achingly atmospheric
setting—though you have to check-
in to enjoy it; the bar is only open to
guests. ugaescapes.com/chenahuts;
Rs148,500 per night, all-inclusive.FROM LEFT: Double the
bubbles at Chena Huts;
shaking up the safari.FROM LEFT: Colonial charm
on the coast; try a julep.FROM ABOVE: The Beach
Shack, on the ocean's edge; or
ask to be served poolside.SRI LANKA
BY DIANA HUBBELLTRAVELANDLEISUREASIA.COM / MAY 2017 57