CoCoBay Unawatuna

As Sri Lanka grows as a tourist destination, finding hotels catering to specific demographics and ages can prove tricky. However, perhaps due to its affordability and hip style, CoCo Bay tends to draw a younger crowd. From the road, this boutique hotel looks almost like a large residence, with a slightly guarded, grassy courtyard entrance. On entering the lobby, it becomes evident that the building was designed to keep guests cool despite the often steamy Sri Lanka temperatures. The open-air building has two-story-high ceilings in the lobby and main corridor, and rooms resting over the second lobby area and restaurant -- a refreshing design that's enhanced by crisp white walls, gray tile floors, rich wood furniture, and pops of bright orange. The restaurant has an open wall facing the verandah, pool area, and lagoon, and far in the distance across the water is the Galle Fort. The vibe is relaxed and just a touch exclusive (though not pretentious). During the day, most guests hang out in the rows of loungers facing the water, grabbing drinks every now and again. With only 16 rooms, there's no need to wake up early to grab a chair, though the hotel's only bar is quite small. 

CoCo Bay is away from the crazy, main strip of touristy Unawatuna Beach. Instead of the cacophony of people, cars, and tuk-tuks, guests here can listen to the birds and waves while watching kids from the nearby fishing village play soccer on the sand. Although it's only a five-minute drive to Unawatuna proper, some (dubious) tuk-tuks may consider the area to be closer to Galle, so guests may spend a little more for transport. As the hotel is down a side dirt road, there's not much within walking distance until reaching the main road, which is about a 10-minute walk from the grounds. However, many tourist sites are within easy drive, including Galle Fort (a 15-minute drive) and the Japanese Peace Pagoda (a five-minute drive). Bandaranaike International Airport is about a two-hour drive north, depending on traffic, while the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka can be reached in less than an hour. 

CoCo Bay Unawatuna has bright, slick, and contemporary rooms with light wood floors, vivid colors, and spotless bathrooms. Expect to see dark hardwood furniture with sharp, chunky silhouettes plus colors like chrysanthemum, navy, and chartreuse. Local silks and colorful wall art both do their bit to give these rooms a nice dose of personality, though everything feels breezy, in part due to the stark white walls and swirling ceiling fans in every room.

Standard rooms are billed as Sea Escape Deluxe and come with large jetted tubs in the spacious bathrooms (which have peek-a-boo windows into the bedrooms). As implied by the name, these rooms have sea views and private patios. Aqua Romance Deluxe rooms have outdoor plunge pools, but these are deep and shared with neighbors, divided only by metal rod fences. The two Grande Riviera Suites are the largest in the house and each has an open-plan bedroom, sitting area, vanity, and large, furnished outdoor deck with sea views. Their lighter-wood floors intensify the already spacious feeling, while bathrooms have a rustic-chic look with a blend of gray and sand tones, dual vessel sinks on long counter tops, and massive walk-in showers with glass walls. 

All rooms are air-conditioned and have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, free Wi-Fi, electronic safes, minibars, electric kettles, air-conditioning, and digital music players. Along with comforting extras like soft terrycloth robes, colorful flip flops, fresh fruit bowls, pillow menus, and house toiletries, guests are presented with personal, homemade soap selections -- sliced off the bar of soap right before their eyes. Higher-category rooms have ironing facilities and larger closets. 

Out back, CoCo Bay has direct access to a small curve of semi-private beach with comparatively calm waves. While there is no seating directly on the sand, there's a sundeck area with bright-orange padded loungers facing to sea, and a lifeguard. Unawatuna is also a popular spot for surfing -- the waves at the hotel are small -- and a surfing school is nearby. In the early mornings, guests can watch village fishermen haul in their catch, while local kids can run through the surf and kick around a soccer ball in the sand.

CoCo Bay has a small sliver of a pool with a jetted area. The pool is mostly neglected as guests favor the beach, and it runs along the back wall of the lobby and restaurant. Out here, there's also a collection of tables and chairs set up for outdoor dining serviced by the casual main restaurant, Al Mer. Its Mediterranean- and European-heavy menu is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and room service). Half-board options are available. In case of rain or sun shyness, wicker chairs are available at one of the tables inside. For drinks, the hotel has a hip and stylish art- and jazz-themed bar, The Chill Out Bar. With fewer than a handful of stools and only a few couch seats, the bar can easily get full as it slings cocktails, happy hours, beer, and wine. Luckily, there's a large and breezy lobby lounge area just outside its sliding doors, complete with a pool table. 

Gym rats might be disappointed in the tiny (but modern) gym with a few cardio machines and a singular all-in-one weight machine -- though many guests like the free yoga classes twice a week. Also on this second floor, overlooking the lobby and reception area, there's a small souvenir and convenience shop selling random things, from postcards and inflatable rafts to jewelry and skim boards. Slightly hidden on the second floor is a large sundeck that catches a lot of wind from the ocean. Nevertheless, it's outfitted with cushioned loungers and absolutely no shade. Wi-Fi is free and each guest is greeted with a fresh welcome drink.