Palmyrah House

Mannar, Sri Lanka

Destinations

Sri Lanka

Accommodation

Palmyrah House

Palmyrah House is a 14-bedroom boutique hotel on Mannar Island off the north-west of Sri Lanka.

The hotel offers a tranquil retreat, set deep within a 35-acre verdant estate, with landscaped gardens, palm scattered lagoons and coastal plains that run to the Indian Ocean. Accommodation here is comfortable with simply designed rooms dotted throughout the main two-storey building, all have décor that reflects the natural colours of the surrounding estate and photography of the vibrant birdlife.

The restaurant serves a variety of cuisines emphasising fresh, locally source ingredients but specialises in regional dishes from the north of Sri Lanka. There is an onsite gym, outdoor swimming pool and a traditional well bath. The hotel is particularly renowned for its birdwatching opportunities, with over 337 species observed in the area, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

What we love

We love visiting here between December and April when the plains fill with water and migratory birds such as flamingos, pelicans and storks flock to the area
You can hire cycles from the hotel to explore the wider island

This is a remote island property, time to switch off and enjoy the relaxed pace of life as Sri Lanka’s busier tourist attractions are a long drive away from here

Due to its island setting, dining options are limited to the hotel itself

The hotels welcomes families with extra beds or cribs available on request. Children’s meals are available within the hotel’s restaurant and a babysitting service is on request. Limited selection of board games provided for family entertainment.

Palmyrah House does much to assist the local villagers providing employment and training, the hotel also follows strict eco-friendly policies by using solar energy and using locally made products.

The nearest international airport is at Jaffna, a 3–4-hour journey by airport transfer, which can be arranged by the hotel. Talaimannar Pier Railway Station is 18km away. Access to Mannar Island from the mainland takes you across a vehicular bridge. The island boasts many attractions for visitors, all accessible from the hotel, including the 16th century Mannar Fort.

What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.

Roy Wood (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.

Alie C (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor

I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace

Daisy Stanton (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!

Andrew S (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor

Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North East India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.

Martin Thomas (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference

Sandra Nicholson (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.

Jayant Banerji (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.

Phil Blair ( February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

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