Sam & Lola’s in Hiriketiya: A Tropical Hideaway Nestled in South Sri Lanka

If you’re a Yoga, Wine & Travel reader then you’ll know that when we travel, we look for hotels that are more than just four walls and a bed. Where you stay when you travel can make or break your time away, and that’s why we love places that have soul and personality – somewhere that is beyond the ordinary.

That’s why we sought to create a “home away from home” for travelers visiting Sri Lanka, and after years of blood, sweat and tears (literally) we are so proud to share Sam & Lola’s with the world! The twin villas started as a mere idea a few years ago and transformed into rough sketches, before evolving into construction and technical drawings and the private pool villas in Hiriketiya today.

We loved the experience of lovingly designing the villas and filling the space with carefully curated decor and furnishings. Most of all, it was a privilege to work with local Sri Lankan artisans, carpenters, masons, electricians and plumbers who brought our vision to life.

When it came time to name the villas, it only made sense to call it Sam & Lola’s, after our beloved long-haired dachshunds! Sam & Lola’s truly was handcrafted from top to bottom, and we hope that our guests feel the love that went into this project.

Our space affords guests the perfect balance of barefoot luxury and privacy as well as unrestricted access to what Sri Lanka has to offer. This is your haven – we want our guests to fall in love with Sri Lanka the same way we have. Here’s what you can expect from Sam & Lola’s.

The Villas

The twin villas, Villa Sam and Villa Lola, each feature a king-sized bed complete with luxurious linen bedding; air-conditioning and ceiling fan for those hot Sri Lankan days; open-air shower and en-suite bathroom; mini kitchenette and fridge with complimentary tea & coffee; safety deposit box; hair dryer; and towels. Each villa can accommodate a maximum of 2 guests, which ensures a private and quiet stay.

Though we are not located on the beach, each villa has a private outdoor plunge pool and deck, and Sam & Lola’s is within walking distance to 2 of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beaches. More on that later!

The grounds are adorned with lush tropical plants: we even built the villas around existing coconut and mango trees! Villa Sam features a mango tree in the outdoor shower, and Villa Lola features towering coconut trees through the deck. With sustainability at the forefront, the villas provide UV-filtered drinking water to reduce plastic consumption, uses environmentally-friendly cleaning products, provides locally-sourced and fair trade shower amenities and conducts off-site recycling.

Independent travelers will love the privacy, comfortable and spacious rooms and jungle views. Self check-in is available from a secure lock box on site, and we are also happy to store luggage if you arrive early – you can always pop down for a beachfront coffee before the check-in time. Although there is no on-site restaurant, we offer breakfast in collaboration with Verse Collective, a wonderful restaurant & cafe a short stroll away from the villas. Guests can also utilize the outdoor peacock-inspired garden shower to freshen up after hitting the beach. Here are some additional details about Sam & Lola’s that you might want to read!

Interested in booking? Check our availability and current rates via our website here or via AirBnB here and here!

Location of Sam & Lola’s

Sam & Lola’s can be found in Dickwella town in south Sri Lanka, and is the perfect base for your trip around the island if you are looking for some of the best beaches in southern Sri Lanka and easy access to cafes/restaurants/bars/shops. 

We are sandwiched between two of the most stunning beaches in south Sri Lanka: Hiriketiya beach and Pehebhiya beach. At Hiriketiya you’ll find a row of beach cafes and surfboard rental shacks – it offers fun waves for beginner to intermediate surfers, and is sheltered from the wind and swell which makes it an excellent year-round swimming beach.

On the other side of Sam & Lola’s is Pehebhiya beach, a long sandy beach on the fringe of Dickwella town. There are a number of beach cabanas and lounge chairs available for rental, crystal clear water and a picturesque beach swing. Both beaches are within a 3-5 minute stroll, or hop in a tuk tuk if you’re in vacation mode.

For day trips you can head out to Dondra lighthouse, explore the rest of the south coast, visit a floating temple in Matara, check out Galle Fort, go on a wildlife safari to Udawalawe or Yala, or go on a whale watching sailing trip on a luxury catamaran. Here are some more ideas for your trip!

Getting to Sam & Lola’s

The easiest way to get to Sam & Lola’s is by private car if you are travelling from Colombo, Ella, Galle, Kandy, Arugam Bay and so on. You can ask your current hotel to organize a 1-way private transfer for you or contact local taxi services for a quotation.

Alternatively, you can also take the train, bus or highway bus to Matara city and switch to a tuk tuk (3-wheeler). If you are in Weligama, Ahangama, Mirissa, Tangalle (or thereabouts) it is also possible to take a tuk tuk to get to Hiriketiya/Pehebhiya. If they aren’t sure where to go, tell the driver to head to Dickwella town…just make sure you agree on a price with the tuk tuk driver before the journey!

If you are self-driving, parking is available on request.

How to book Sam & Lola’s

We are currently accepting direct bookings via AirBnB here and here. Thinking about a longer extended stay? Get in touch at hello [at] samandlolas.com.

Heading to Sri Lanka? You might also find these articles helpful:

• Wondering what NOT to do in Sri Lanka? Read on for things to avoid doing if you’re planning a Sri Lanka trip
• Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? You might want to read this article on things you should know before visiting the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, or check out this 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary (complete with activity and accommodation recommendations)
• Read my insider’s guide to Hiriketiya to get the lowdown on the neighborhood
• Head on over here to get the scoop on what to do in south Sri Lanka and all the best beaches in the deep south

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