Kandy, Colombo & the West Coast, Sri Lanka

On a hillside overlooking the city, Thilanka is a stylish haven away from the heat and traffic of Kandy. Its rooms are long, spacious and cool, with framed antique garments, Kandyan textiles, wood carvings, traditional painted headboards and temple paraphernalia adding an evocative counterpoint to the clean lines of the modern, minimalist interiors. For a refreshing dip, there’s a good sized kidney-shaped pool that’s underlit after dark. Meals are served indoors, or al fresco on a stone-lined terrace against a backdrop of tropical trees and rooftops tumbling to the lakeside. In short: a five-star experience at three-star prices.