Cantaloupe Aqua

The minimalist design of this four-pearl hotel can be felt right from the moment guests enter its chic open-air lobby, which features whitewashed cement walls and contrasting lime couches. This look continues outdoors to the ocean-view terrace with white wicker loungers and impressive vistas. Rooms and the restaurant offer a bit more pizazz, with the latter housing colorful artwork and linens. Most rooms and common areas are set against the sound of the waves crashing against the hotel’s seawall -- due to erosion and high tides, there is no real beach directly in front of the hotel during certain times of the year. With only 15 rooms and suites, Cantaloupe Aqua has an intimate ambience geared toward couples, though families and small groups of friends are also found here.

This seaside hotel is situated in the quiet village of Talpe on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. While there is no beach in front of the hotel during certain times of the year, and the sea can be rough and not swimmable (common in Sri Lanka), there is a beach with calm waters a five-minute walk from the hotel. Otherwise, Unawatuna Beach is a 15-minute drive away, while Galle is 30 minutes. The hotel is a three-and-a-half hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport, but can be reached in 90 minutes via the new Southern Expressway. The hotel can arrange airport transfers and offers free parking. In addition, there are numerous tuk-tuks on the main road outside the hotel for those who want to venture out.

The hotel’s 15 urban-style rooms and suites -- 13 of which have stunning ocean views -- feature swanky minimalist design bathed in black and white hues and punctuated by colorful headboards and Sri Lankan pop art. White or ash-stained oak floors complete the chic picture. Floor-to-ceiling windows and tempered glass balconies or terraces help make the most of the spectacular ocean views. All rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with access to a DVD library at the reception, living areas with lounges, LED mood lighting, tea- and coffee-making facilities, wardrobes, electronic safes, minibars, bathrobes, slippers, and free Wi-Fi. All bathrooms come with rainfall showers and Cantaloupe-branded toiletries, while some add dual sinks and jetted tubs that overlook the ocean. Those looking for extra space can opt for one of the hotel’s suites or duplex rooms with mezzanine bedrooms or lounge areas. 

One of the main draws of the hotel is the all-day Coconut restaurant, which serves delicious Thai, Western, and Sri Lankan fusion fare prepared by a chef who trained at the famous Blue Elephant Cooking School. The restaurant’s white-and-black palette makes a pretty backdrop for the colorful Sri Lanka-inspired prints that line the venue’s walls. There is also an elevated outdoor area that overlooks the ocean, which comes alive with diners and candles in the evenings. Just to the side of the restaurant, the Playground Beach Bar serves a range of drinks, including cocktails. A small infinity-edge plunge pool overlooks the turquoise ocean, but it's too shallow and tiny for actual swimming. This can be a notable downside since there is no beach in front of the hotel during certain periods of the year due to erosion and high tides, plus the ocean is often not swimmable. The Bliss Spa offers a range of menu and tailor-made therapies. For relaxation, there are ocean-facing wooden decks and sandy areas lined with loungers. A small beachwear shop hasn sarongs and sandals, among other curios. On the downside, there is no gym.