Lion's Rest

• Eight simple, stylish bedrooms (sleeping 2-6 guests), in a palm-shrouded retreat beside the beach.
• Rooms on the upper level share a balcony and sitting area overlooking the waves.
• Lower level rooms open out onto the pool and grounds.
• Room are decked out with teak four-poster, king or queen-sized teak beds (some can be made into twin beds) with 8-inch sprung mattresses and mosquito nets.
• Two family rooms, sleeps up to 5/6 guests. One on the upper level has two king-size four posters and a mezzanine level with two mattresses. One on the lower level has two king-size four posters and a single bed.
• All rooms have air conditioning and powerful overhead fans.

• Twice daily yoga – Slow Flow, Vinyasa and Hatha yoga ($9 per class)
• One-to-one yoga and kids’ yoga also available.
• Movie nights on the al fresco projector screen.
• Kickback by the pool or in a hammock with a cocktail.
• Indulge yourself with an Ayurvedic massage.
• Wind down with a sunset yoga session on the deck.

Facilities include:

• Swimming pool.
• Surfboard racks.
• In-house yoga.
• Two chillout areas with hammocks and beanbags – one by the pool and one on the upper level boasting ocean views.
• Food served all day.
• Free wifi.
• Tuk-tuks to take you to the surf breaks.

• Lion's Rest is situated directly opposite the fun reef break of Coconuts, and a few sandy footprints from the mellower Plantations.
• The hotel has its own qualified surf coach, Lucky, a local surfer who can run group lessons or 1-1 sessions. Your qualified surf coach can also take you to some secret spots and offer surf guiding for more experienced surfers.
• Longboards, shortboards and beginner boards are available for hire.
• Experts can take on the more challenging and hollow waves at nearby Rams.
• While the reef breaks aren’t great for younger children and inexperienced surfers, it’s only 2km in a tuk-tuk to the mellow, sandy-bottomed waves of Weligama. Nearby Kabalana is also a great spot for beginners.
• Many other surf spots between Matara and Galle are just a short tuk-tuk ride away, including the popular longboard spots of Lazy Left and Lazy Right. Lion’s Rest has two tuk-tuks to take you around and share some quieter, secret spots too.

When you're not surfing, kick back and enjoy tropical beach life:

• Buy a fresh coconut, find a spot under a palm tree on the sand and watch the surfers at Coconuts and Plantations.
• Lion’s Rest is in the perfect location to yo-yo between the village green, the beach and the air-con comfort of your boutique hotel.
• A short stroll in the direction of Weligama will take you to a secluded cove perfect for swimming and sunbathing (be careful of the shorebreak if you have young children).
• One of our favourite beaches to hang out as a family is the sandy stretch of Kabalana, a ten-minute tuk-tuk ride away, where the kids can play in the breakers and there are plenty of cafés, too.
• It’s a 20-minute tuk-tuk ride to Wijaya beach, where you can snorkel with turtles, get high on the rope swing and enjoy a line-up of beachside cafés and restaurants.

• Start the day with a pre- or post-surf Sri Lankan breakfast.
• Authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and a range of Western dishes served all day.
• Weekly seafood barbecue buffet evenings.
• Vegan and vegetarian options available.
• Mouth-watering curries on the menu, as well as dedicated curry nights.
• Daily-sourced ingredients from the local markets and fishermen.

• Lion’s Rest is just 5km from the popular beach resort of Mirissa where you can visit the early morning fish market and head off on a whale-watching trip (go with The Whale Watching Club – run by experts who keep a safe distance from incredible species you will encounter).
• It’s a 40-minute tuk-tuk ride to the heritage, walled city of Galle.
• For a guaranteed, up-close experience with elephants and a low-key family safari head to the Uda Walewe National Park.