Location

Buckingham Place is an appealing boutique hotel on a five-acre estate overlooking the tranquil Rekawa lagoon in the deep south. Situated between the deserted beaches of Rekawa where marine turtles come ashore to nest, and the lagoon, Buckingham Place is an utterly peaceful holiday choice. Rekawa is in a little-explored part of the south, east of the coastal town of Tangalle and about two hours from Galle. The journey from Colombo’s international airport will take about four hours or consider taking the Air Taxi and flying into Koggala which is about an hour-and-a-quarter away from here.

Why you should book with us

Buckingham Place opened its doors in September 2010 after being developed caringly over several years by its British owner along with Sri Lankan architect, Suchith Mohotti. This stylish 11-roomed hotel is contemporary in design with tasteful interiors. Sumptuous Sri Lankan and international fusion cuisine is prepared with fresh seafood purchased from the local fisherman and vegetables from the village home gardens. Buckingham Place is ideal for those wishing to relax and unwind amidst tranquil surroundings. Children seven years and above are welcome here. Buckingham Place does much to benefit the Rekawa village and supports the valuable Turtle Conservation Project located nearby.

11 spacious double rooms and suites are scattered on the hillock overlooking Rekawa lagoon. The suites are more spacious than the rooms. The interiors are designed with polished cement floors and large glass windows that open out to a private veranda or balcony with lagoon views. Colourful local art adorns the walls and the interiors are furnished with king size beds dressed in fine white linen, lounge chairs, wardrobe and work desk. Ensuite bathrooms have h/w rain showers with most also having bathtubs. In-room facilities include a/c, telephone, mini-fridge, wifi internet facility, and some rooms have cable TV. Additional bedding for children is provided at an extra charge.

One suite that is located at a ground level at Buckingham Place has a bathroom with commode aids, sink at lower level, and larger doorways making it suitable for those with mobility difficulties. There is also an extra single room in this suite for an accompanying caregiver.

The open-air restaurant serves Sri Lankan rice and curriesand a mix of international fusion cuisine. The chef will be happy to turn out something special for children. A range of alcoholic beverages are on offer here. Meals are also served in the privacy of your own balcony or verandah. The swimming pool is located in the front gardens. There are several canoes for exploring the lagoon and bicycles to wonder off into the village. The Indian Ocean beaches are nearby and safe swimming is possible in the rock pool nearby during the season from December to April. Guests are welcome to participate in the village development projects conducted by Buckingham Place.

Consider canoeing in the lagoon, cycling into the village or a night safari to the Rekawa beach to observe from a distance the endangered marine turtles nesting. The south of Sri Lanka beyond Dondra is considered one of the best locations in the world for spotting Blue Whales, Sperm Whales and Spinner Dolphins. During the season from December to April, whale and dolphin watching excursions are organised by Mirissa Water Sports and Ceylon Fisheries Corporation based at the Mirissa harbour. Mirissa Water Sports also offers a range of activities including coastal cruises, sea kayaking, snorkelling and boating. Scuba diving is possible at Dickwella. Visit the ancient Mulkirigala temple in Tangalle which is perched on an enormous boulder more than 200m high. According to ancient inscriptions carved on the rock, Mulkirigala dates back almost 2,000 years when it was a site of a Buddhist monastery.

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Important note on prices : Red Dot prices include all government taxes and service charges. Some properties and websites exclude these charges from their direct quotes, which adds 24-26 per cent to your bill, so please check carefully before booking. Red Dot also guarantees to beat any lower published prices from other agents. Some property owners also request that we do not display our prices online. Please ask us for a quote - and tell us if we do not offer the best value.

Why you should book with us