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You’ll find a thicket of good-value guesthouses
and modest beach hotels at the west end
on and off tiny Gunasiri Himi Rd. Inland,
there are some excellent family-run places
along tiny lanes a short walk from the beach.
Beware of road noise at the east end of the
beach, and loud and late music near the
beach cafes.
Poppies GU eSThOUSe $
(%077 794 0328; [email protected]; off
Galle–Matara Rd; r fan/air-con from Rs 2500/3500;
aW) The pristine rooms here are set around
a grassy courtyard; each has a nice outside
sitting area and hammock. It’s just inland
from the eastern end of the beach.
Calidan h OMeSTAY $
(%077 754 7802; [email protected];
Sunanda Rd; r fan/air-con from Rs 2500/3500;
aW) This welcoming two-storey homestay
features five basic rooms painted in cheery
colours and big smiles from the owners. It’s
a five-minute walk back from the west end
of the beach.
oRose Blossom h OMeSTAY $$
(%077 713 3096; [email protected];
off Galle–Matara Rd; s/d with fan Rs 3000/4800, r
with air-con Rs 7500) This cute little five-room
place has smallish but well-decorated rooms
and wonderfully charming owners. It’s a
leafy five-minute walk inland from the east-
ern end of the beach.
Point GU eSThOUSe $$
(%077 151 4710; http://www.thepointmirissa.com; cnr
Sanunda Rd & Gunasiri himi Rd; r from US$45; aW)
The six rooms at this new two-storey guest-
house offer a hip vibe on a budget (some are
fan-only). The owner is a local surfer and he
offers advice, lessons, board rental and more.
The west end of the beach is 200m away.
Palm Villa GU eSThOUSe $$
(%225 0022; http://www.palmvillamirissa.com; Galle–
Matara Rd; r fan/air-con from €45/55; aW) The
best option at the beach’s east end, each of the
eight lovely rooms in this colonial-style manor
is uniquely decorated in a bright and modern
fashion. The more expensive rooms are set
right on the beach. At the excellent in-house
restaurant you can eat at a candlelit table un-
der the stars. There’s a two-night minimum.
Amarasinghe Guest House GU eSThOUSe $$
(%225 1204; http://www.amarasingheguesthouse.com;
off Galle–Matara Rd; r from US$40; iW) This de-
lightful place, adrift in a web of rural lanes
five minutes inland from the beach, is ideal. A
range of 10 agreeably ramshackle rooms and
cottages lie scattered throughout the gardens.
The owners grow all their own organically
produced vegetables and spices, and the food
receives rave reports.Surf Sea Breeze hOTel $$
(%071 404 8084; http://www.surfseabreezemirissa.
com; Gunasiri himi Rd; half-board r fan/air-con from
US$60/70; aW) On its own shady plot of
sand at the west end of the beach, this com-
pact hotel has 19 basic rooms spread between
a three-storey main building and small bun-
galows. The former have balconies with trees
obscuring the views. The real appeal here is
the location.oMirissa Hills BOUTiQUe hOTel $$$
(%225 0980; http://www.mirissahills.com; off Galle–Matara
Rd; r US$80-300; aWs) Ponder buffalo wal-
lowing in the ever-green rice paddies, pea-
cocks strutting their stuff, and high above,
on a hill in the heart of a working cinnamon
farm, you can live royally here. Accommoda-
tions include a renovated estate house, rooms
in the plantation’s museum building and a
modern hilltop retreat. The entrance is 1.1km
inland from the main road’s 148 Km marker.Imagine Villa Hotel BOUTiQUe hOTel $$$
(%223 2088; http://www.imagine.lk; off Galle–Matara Rd;
s/d from US$95/120; aWs) This colonial-
style, colonnaded L-shaped two-storey hotel
is right on its own patch of beach. The nine
rooms are nicely furnished and have fridges
and private outdoor seating areas (upstairs
ones have the best views). It’s about 5km in
either direction for the nightlife of Mirissa
and the attractions of Matara. Look for the
turn at the 154 Km marker.Aussie Swiss Beach Resort hOTel $$$
(%225 4662; http://www.aussieswissbeachresort.com; 23
Modarawatta Rd; s/d from US$95/125; aW) You
get no points for guessing the nationalities
of the owners of this immaculate six-room
hotel on its own little beach west of Mirissa
Beach. Rooms feature king-size beds, balco-
nies or patios with sea views, and fridges. You
can enjoy Ayurvedic treatments and menus.
Look for the turn at the 147 Km marker on
the main road.Palace Mirissa R eSORT $$$
(%225 1303; http://www.palacemirissa.com; off Guna-
siri himi St; s/d half board from €75/90; aWs)
With the dominant position on the headland