The Last House

A radiant, jungle-encased retreat where mustard walls and turquoise shutters glow beneath the Sri Lankan sun, The Last House is a one-of-a-kind colonial idyll poised between palm-fringed sands and the salty breeze of the Indian Ocean.

The Last House has a surreal ambience; it’s a place where one instantly disconnects and drifts into a more relaxed islander’s existence. Tucked along a near-deserted stretch of southern Sri Lanka’s Mawella Beach, this intimate property—now a boutique hotel—is the final residential commission of legendary architect Geoffrey Bawa, his parting love letter to the island he so beautifully shaped. Here, the modern edges of Tropical Modernism soften into something quietly striking: a low-slung retreat of pillared verandas, vast shuttered doors, and cool, polished cement that remains effortlessly in dialogue with the sea.

Set amid a tropical garden where frangipani spills onto lawns and the surf whispers beyond, the house is an ode to stillness. Here, the days are yours to savour entirely as you please—whether curling up on a pillared veranda with a well-thumbed novel, idling beside the jade-green pool, wandering barefoot along two kilometres of powder-soft sand, or wading into the surf as kingfishers dart over the lagoon. In a land often celebrated for spectacle, The Last House is something rarer: a place of pure, unhurried simplicity.

Inside, just five bedrooms host no more than twelve guests at a time, making stays feel genuinely intimate and personal. Rooms are bright and airy, unfussy—white walls, polished concrete floors, and a thoughtful scatter of antique and contemporary furniture—and all look onto either the Indian Ocean or the wildlife-rich lagoon. The Cinnamon Hill Suite occupies the entire first floor, with wraparound balconies and space for families to spread out beneath the timbered ceilings. For something more secluded, Moonamal has a private garden entrance and an al fresco tub shaded by the broad leaves of a banana plant.

This is the sort of place where the concept of a hotel blurs gently into the feeling of staying at a beloved private seaside residence. The discreet team, led by the ever-welcoming Ananda, somehow appear exactly when you need them—ready with fresh lime sodas, a gentle smile, or the promise of a crab curry supper. Meals are a celebration of Sri Lanka’s vibrant flavours: breakfast of tropical fruit and hoppers on the veranda, lunch caught fresh that morning, and dinner a candlelit affair by the ocean’s edge. From the signature mullet in dhal sauce to coconut-rich curries fragrant with curry leaf and mustard seed, the kitchen quietly excels. Every dish is prepared to order, and, as is customary in Sri Lanka, meals must be pre-ordered—it feels as though the chef is cooking only for you.

Beyond the stunning house, experiences abound. Cycle inland through tangles of jungle and rice fields. Wander the ancient murals of Mulkirigala Rock Temple. Witness nesting turtles under starlit skies in Rekawa. Or simply linger in the company of books, board games and breezes, while the surf keeps time. For wildlife enthusiasts, Yala and Udawalawe National Parks are within striking distance, promising unforgettable glimpses of elephants, leopards and myriad birdlife.

Back at the house, the courtyard pool is a calm refuge and watched over by swooping swallows. As dusk falls, the house transforms: lanterns flicker, the scent of jasmine drifts in from the garden, and the ocean hums its endless lullaby. Whether you come as a couple, a family, or a group of friends seeking exclusive hire, The Last House is a serene sanctuary where memories are made slowly and every day feels touched by a quiet yet distinctive kind of magic.

Above all, it is this: a rare, elegant boutique hotel that invites you to press pause—and to surrender, if only for a while, to the timeless beauty of Sri Lanka’s southern coast. It is a haven for weary minds and for those who wish for pure connection with their loved ones or themselves.

Many of our guests travel to Sri Lanka as part of a wider journey, taking in multiple regions to experience the island’s extraordinary diversity. The Last House is often just one stop on a much broader tailor-made itinerary. To explore how this hotel might fit into your own bespoke journey, visit the ‘Tailor-Made Itineraries’ tab or get in touch — we’d be delighted to help you make the most of your time on this vast and varied island.