Jetwing Lighthouse

The large and impressive Jetwing Lighthouse was designed by famous Sri Lankan and influential Asian architect Geoffrey Bawa. At first arrival, the building seems plain -- just a large white hotel on the curve of a busy street. However, once you pass through the entrance of the check-out lobby, you find yourself at the base of an epic copper battle sculpture twisting its way up the spiral staircase. While the hotel's overall feel is that of an old Dutch colonial building, the decor reflects more of Indo-Asian art with stone and metal sculptures, charcoal paintings, and South Asian wood furniture. Fresh, brightly colored lilies are cut daily and sit atop tabletop sculptures. While there is a ton of public space, the hotel doesn't feel very social as most of the guests are families and large groups of foreigners. Couples are also prominent guests here, thanks to the privateness of the rooms and overall nonsocial vibe. 

Jetwing Lighthouse is off a main road that runs down the coast of the Sri Lanka's southern city of Galle, a 12-minute drive to the city center. There's not much within walking distance of the hotel and it is recommended to take a tuk-tuk or cab to and from the hotel in the evenings. While this is technically a beach hotel, the beach behind the hotel is mostly rocky and full of fierce waves, or apt to disappear during high tides. Beaches of Unawatuna are a 15-minute drive south, while surfing hot spot HIkkaduwa Beach is just 20 minutes north. Two of Sri Lanka's most significant sights, Galle Fort and the Galle Lighthouse, are just over five minutes away by car. Bandaranaike International Airport is two hours and 15 minutes away.

All 85 rooms at Jetwing Lighthouse are comfortable and spacious, making good on Geoffrey Bawa's desire to focus on open space. With decor that blends together the look of Dutch colonialism, Indo-Asian antiques, and contemporary color, guests can expect to find polished hardwood floors, dark teak wood furniture, distressed windows and doors, upscale bathrooms with robes and slippers, and -- in an effort to the be more environmentally friendly -- natural items, such as twigs or shells, as decorative accents in the place of flowers. There are also tea and coffee facilities, a stocked (expensive) minibar with imported and local brands, and better-than-average toiletry kits, plus handmade soap. If you don't know what you're looking for, rooms at Jetwing Lighthouse can be a gamble. Rooms often vary greatly by building, with older rooms presenting a more dated colonial vibe and newer rooms showing brighter pops of color in an all-around more contemporary colonial style (though some of these rooms have a weird smell). The newer spa wing rooms are home to the two highest categories: Super Deluxe and Superior Theme Suites. The spa wing pool, Nihal's restaurant, and the best beach access are privileges for those staying on this side of the hotel. Deluxe Rooms start you off with flat-screen TVs, keycard-powered electricity, dim bathrooms with dark wood and black countertops, tiled outdoor balconies with vinyl cushioned furniture, built-in wooden desk, and bedside reading lamps. Super Deluxe Rooms put you in the spa wing, have upgraded decor, and replace the vinyl cushions for wicker chairs with cloth cushions, though they feel a bit more cramped. Regardless of which wing you are in, if you've got a suite, you can arrange interconnecting rooms, though by bumping up to a Superior Theme Suite, you'll grab the better decor and a jetted plunge pool out on the balcony, and add an extra bathroom by the front door -- though again, you'll sacrifice space. All rooms have ocean views from private terraces or balcony spaces. 

Jetwing Lighthouse may be located directly on the coast, but there's not much
of a beach, especially during monsoon season and high tides. That is to say, there's not much of the western ideal of a lounging, sunbathing beachfront. Instead, behind the main building, guests will find a beautiful, rocky landscape of boulders with wild waves crashing; great for photos but not swimming. Further down behind the newly built spa wing, there's a stretch of beach that's walkable, though it is mostly comprised of whole and
broken shells, so bring footwear.    

Jetwing Lighthouse's main restaurant is its large buffet, Cardamom
Cafe. This breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot is located just beside the check-in lobby and has a casual vibe with plenty of indoor, but limited outdoor, seating. Those by the windows (or at the tables lining them outside) can snag nice sea views with their meals. While it is primarily a buffet serving international and local dishes, there are also themed nights with set menus. On the second floor of the main building, guests will find the reservations-recommended, fine-dining restaurant Cinnamon Room. At its entrance there is an open-air courtyard with a reflecting pool, while inside you can expect candlelit tables, a chilled wine room (where you can arrange for a private two-seater dinner), and piano. The Anchor Bar and Grille is a  casual, open-air poolside cafe at the edge of the main wing serving up easy bites like ice cream, snacks, fresh juice, and cocktails. Over at the spa wing, there's Nihal's, a chilled out and stylishly
casual place to grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner a la carte, or sip eye-openers to sundowners with a pool and sea view. Nihal's is meant to be exclusive for the guests who stay in the spa wing, but main wing guests can use the facilities for a fee. 

Jetwing Lighthouse's two dedicated bars are both located in the main wing, though unlike the other restaurants, Nihal's does have a specified bar area with stools and high tops. Sharing a roof and view with the outdoor portion of Cardamom Cafe, Veranda is an outside terrace bar where guests can enjoy cocktails, beers, and wine while overlooking the waves crash against boulders on the coastline. Despite having no seafaring decor -- in fact, its mostly cricket memorabilia in here -- the second floor The Coats of Arms bar has a slight maritime feel. Perhaps its the combination of large wood-paned floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, a large wooden bar, and an old world-style pool table. In the evenings, tables are set up on the terrace outside.

Jetwing Lighthouse doesn't have one particular standout feature, but a couple of collectively great things that will appeal to most guests. For starters, there are two pool areas, one for each wing of the hotel. The main wing is home to the main pool, which also has a kids' pool, small wooden deck with loungers, and grassy area
with a few loungers as well. There's no real view of the ocean, but the landscaping, with tall-rooted mangroves along the coastline and a grassy courtyard peppered with boulders, makes for a serene vibe. The spa wing pool is more straightforward, centered in the middle of a large grassy courtyard. There are no loungers immediately lining the sides of the pool, but just beyond the pool area (just before the beach), there are a few loungers for catching sun and listening to the waves.  Also located in the spa wing is the hotel's spa, a large space, mostly outdoors or open-air with a surprisingly rustic appearance and relaxing amenities like a steam room, plunge pool, outdoor treatment room, and dark relaxation hall lined with comfy chairs. Active guests will find a worse-for-wear tennis court with flood lights, fitness room with personal training available, and yoga/meditation area, while business guests can use the ground floor business center, a hidden away room with hardwood floors, wooden cubicles with PC computers, and a raised library. Nearby there's also a whale/dolphin center where the on-site naturalist can school guests on the local ecosystem, plus a jewelry store, Spa Ceylon shop, and excursion service. The hotel is equipped with elevators and free high-speed Wi-Fi and has on-request services like laundry and dry cleaning, babysitting, and an on-call doctor.