Six of the best: Stylish Sri Lankan stays

TWENTY-THREE PALM, GALLE

A stunning, regulation white-washed, absolute beachfront villa, Twenty Three Palm is owned by the operators of nearby (and aforementioned) Why House. Inside the Dutch colonial-era main house are two master bedrooms, a junior suite and lavish living areas with soaring ceilings looking  across an expansive lawn to the thunderous crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. Designed for groups or families, the villa comes with its own dedicated chef, a separate tea house by the sea and, of course, a mandatory swimming pool.  Rates on request. See twentythreepalm.com

KANDY HOUSE, KANDY

If you need a reason to visit Kandy – Sri Lanka's somewhat under-loved de facto second city – look no further than the more than 200-year-old Kandy House, perhaps the teardrop isle's quintessential colonial-era villa. At just nine spacious, antique-filled and TV-free rooms (each named after native Sri Lankan butterflies), the elegant Kandy House offers an almost meditative sense of seclusion. The gorgeous gardens, which lead to an infinity pool overlooking rice paddies, provide the perfect outlook for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Doubles from $295a night. See thekandyhouse.com

ELEPHANT STABLES, KANDY

Kandy House was once the obvious choice in luxury accommodation in Kandy, until, that is, when Elephant Stables, a restored and extended colonial bungalow, opened with a trumpeting roar over a year ago. Located in the hills above Kandy, this Sri-Lankan owned boutique hotel (reputedly built on the site of former elephant stables) is a light-filled treat with a collection of classic old restored cars to ferry guests around town. Each of the six sizeable rooms feature four-poster beds and while the garden isn't a match for that of Kandy House it is framed by an enticing resort-like swimming pool conveniently close to the main house.  Doubles from $295 a night. See elephantstables.com

TEA TRAILS, TIENTSIN, NUWARA ELIYA

They're no dills at Dilmah. The definitive Sri Lankan tea brand cannily diversified into tourism some years ago, converting a string of grand old British-era planter bungalows, including this one, into distinctive luxury tourist accommodation. And, more recently, the group has opened a luxury seaside resort south of Galle. But, for a taste of the island's most famous export, stay at one or more of Tea Trails' gracious homes, located right in the middle of working plantations. One of a quarter houses perched at 1250 metres is Tientsin, a beautiful bungalow dating to 1888 and named after the village in China from which tea seedlings originated. From $623 a night, fully inclusive, minimum two-night stay. See teatrails.com

The writer was a guest of the Classic Safari Company which can book all of the feature villas as part of a private tour of Sri Lanka. See classicsafaricompany.com.au