Mannar, Jaffna and the North, Sri Lanka

The delightful Serendipity chain has clearly been won over by the great potential of Mannar as a visitor destination in the coming years, investing in a beautiful new boutique hotel on the island. Set in 35 acres of immaculate grounds, the building is a Tropical Modernist gem, featuring extensive use of natural stone and wood, as well as lots of reflective water in the grounds. It’s stylish, soothing architecture is a joy, if a little incongruous on this far-flung, sandy spit at the top left-hand corner of Sri Lanka! Meals are served on a sociable veranda, and there’s a pool table and carom board in the games room for guests. Birdwatchers will also find plenty of inspiration at the Palmyrah, whose gardens are alive with bulbuls, mynahs, drongos and cormorants.