A five-star hotel designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, The Blue Water is nestled between coconut groves and the Indian Ocean. It’s right by a golden beach, and has plenty of green open spaces where you can relax. And the architecture reflects the hotel’s tropical setting through terracotta tiles, water features and frangipani trees. But this tropical retreat has the best of both worlds, as it’s just an hour away from Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. It’s a nice drive from the city, as you weave past a host of fishing villages along the coastal route.

The Blue Water is a fantastic jumping off point for immersing yourself in Sri Lanka’s history and culture. Visit the Kalutara Temple, one of the island’s most sacred spots – it’s also the world’s only entirely hollow stupa. Richmond Castle, a former spice plantation mansion, is just a 30-minute drive away, too. Here, you can watch a tradition that’s unique to the area, toddy tapping, where an experienced practitioner climbs coconut palms to extract the sweet sap in order to create palm wine.

The Blue Water Spa has a holistic approach to spiritual and physical wellbeing, as noted in its range of therapies. Its Ayurvedic treatments are designed to refresh your mind and body, while oils, herbs and spices are frequently used in health and beauty remedies that draw from Sri Lankan traditions. Meanwhile, the outdoor swimming pool stretches the length of the hotel, and is one of the largest in Asia. Get in some lazy lengths, or spend the afternoon on a sun lounger soaking up the rays.