5* Shangri-La's Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa - Sri Lanka

The breathtaking Shangri-La Hambantota has brought all of the hallmarks of Shangri-La – exemplary service, a modern design, the signature CHI Spa Ayurveda and innovative dining options – to the shores of Sri Lanka. Set in 53 acres, the resort sits on a long stretch of beach and has a wide range of facilities including The Village, an artisan centre where you can browse and buy locally-created arts and crafts. The resort is also one of the first on the island to have its very own golf course, the beautifully-designed Rodney Wright 18-hole course, perfect if you are looking to enjoy a round or two during your holiday. Younger guests are well catered for with the Cool Zone Kids’ Club, as well as a wide selection of facilities you can enjoy together as a family such as flying trapeze (with trainer on hand to guide you) and a water park with slides and water features.

There are three restaurants here, including the main restaurant Bojunhala, where you can sample the very best of Sri Lankan cuisine, and Sera which is inspired by the hawker stalls of South East Asia. In this casual venue you can enjoy an interactive experience as street fare dishes are created as you watch. The final venue is the steak house Ulpatha Restaurant & Bar. A snack bar, club house and two bars, including the Gimunhala Lounge Bar, where tapas, shisha and teas are served, complete the drinking and dining options. Alternatively, you can enjoy the dining by design concept which offers tailor-made dining experiences in beautiful settings throughout the resort.

Accommodation ranges from Deluxe Rooms, which overlook the resort’s tropical gardens, and Premier Rooms which have lagoon or ocean views to hugely spacious suites which have a separate lounge/dining room. We love the modern light-filled décor with touches of Sri Lankan design elements throughout – it’s a real mix of Shangri-La’s style and local flavour.