The Sandhya

We had an excellent stay here - Nuradha and team took great care of us. We were there for my wife's birthday, and they were kind enough to upgrade us to the suite. The facilities, room and common area are brilliantly designed and the proximity to the sea is a huge bonus. Would highly recommend this place for a couple!

We stayed in this beautiful hotel for 2 weeks. What a beautiful place to relax. The hotel is perfectly located on Kabalana Beach, stylish, extremely clean. The entire team of the hotel was more than attentive, a perfect and incredibly friendly service. You can see that it is an owner-managed boutique hotel. Even the smallest details are very consistent, the motivation to offer guests a great stay extremely high. Thank you for this wonderful time, keep up the good work and stay healthy! 🌸

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

The Sandhya embodies elegance and refined luxury reimagined for Sri Lanka's stunning south coast. Nestled towards the (quiet) end of the stunning Kabalana Beach, The Sandhya is the crown jewel in Ahangama's burgeoning hotel and tourism scene. From smiling security and housekeeping to the excellent service team led by Taranja, the staff are unbelievably friendly, professional, and attentive in all the right ways. The food and cocktail menu are a culinary tour de force. Try the tuna tataki (ideally washed down with signature cocktails such as Sand & Sun or Gold Dust), it is literally my favourite meal in the world. The Sandhya delivers six-star-level confort, world-class design (wait until you see the iconic floating staircase) and landscaping, and high-end interior and amenity elements. No expense has been spared in ensuring their guests' receive an unmatched customer experience. Crucially, I don't say any of this based on one visit. I've stayed at The Sandhya around a dozen times over 5-6 years and the standards never slip, if anything they improve every year. If you can swing it, try out the Director's Suite - it is a genuine triumph in every way imagineable! Overall, the Sandhya is simply unmatched. It is a must-stay property if you're heading to Ahangama, which you should be! Oh, and the no kids policy may not be for everyone but it's a hit for me!

Let's just say, I will definitely return. Clean, design like, minimal hotel. Private access to one of the best beaches in the South. Staff are friendly and the place feels homely. Easy access to local beach bars, restaurants, the train station, etc. Walk, tuk tuk, book a car via the hotel. If you are looking to relax on a quiet elegant property, solo or with partner, take it day by day, with amazing views, I recommend the Sandhya. Thank you. Frances (British)

We absolutely loved our stay at the Sandhya and it is definitely a place we want and long to come back to. The design is very Scandinavian and we like the colors, materials and vibe that brings along. The breakfast is good, the service is good, they make very nice dinner and cocktails too! The view of the ocean is breathtaking from all rooms. This is a place we're there is attention to ALL little details. Such as cushions on the sunbeds, fresh beach towels, your room is made twice a day, water in your room and all the staff we met were so nice. I love it!

What a gorgeous resort. My wife and I booked for seven nights and we could’ve stayed for another 7 in a heart beat If we had the time. Accommodating staff that were there for every wish annd whim. This place exudes style and Grace . Gorgeous fixtures and fittings, Lighting details, sound system that allow us to play Spotify through the night as we celebrated our first anniversary. shimmering blue waters for swimming in front a famous surf break to the right… we couldn’t ask for more.

On honeymoon we ended up at Sandhya a little by accident ( also we like Telegraph recommendations) and what a good move! This place is magical. It is a very small luxurious hotel. The location is absolutely fantastic right on a quiet, long, beautiful beach. Guests have direct access so no need to take anything when going for a swim or a walk. The beach is quiet but with all facilities including surfing lessons and hire. The hotel is built around its privileged location so there are stunning sea views from every room. We stayed on director’s suite for our special occasion and wow! Really spacious room with to balconies with the most incredible view. Big comfortable bed, fresh white cotton linen, robes, double walk in shower and vanity, fabulous bath with a view ( salts provided daily), huge dressing area, several large mirrors, a/c, speaker, impeccably decorated, no effort or expense has been spared. The theme continues in the whole hotel. The food is fresh and cooked to perfection. Healthy tasty breakfast is included. We did explore a few other recommended restaurants but the best meals were at the Sandhya’s restaurant. Do try the tuna, best we have ever had. The staff are incredibly attentive, knowledgeable and professional and accommodate everything we needed: transport, recommendations, I had the most incredible massage in my room which got rid of all my muscle aches! It is a very personal service and this is a big plus for us. An absolutely magical time in a small, quiet, stylish hotel that catered for every single of our needs in the most privileged location. Perfect as a romantic location or simply somewhere to recharge batteries. Magical memories but we plan to come back. Thank you 😊