Sergeant House

10/10

Staying at Sergeant House was one of the highlights of our trip to Sri Lanka. Tucked just a short walk from the centre of Unawatuna, the property felt like a peaceful, private oasis — full of charm, history, and natural beauty. We were lucky enough to be the only guests during our stay, and the experience felt incredibly personal and exclusive. The private beach just across the road was a lovely, quiet spot — a beautiful place to relax and take in the ocean views. The staff were absolutely wonderful. They truly spoiled us – always warm, attentive, and thoughtful without being intrusive. Every interaction felt genuine, and nothing was ever too much trouble. It was clear they take great pride in making guests feel at home. The villa and gardens are beautifully maintained, with colonial architecture and lush greenery. We had the pool entirely to ourselves throughout our stay, which made it feel all the more relaxing and luxurious. Our room was spacious, tastefully decorated, and very comfortable — a lovely mix of heritage and modern touches. Breakfasts were generous and delicious, with fresh, flavourful options that started each day beautifully. Sergeant House is a rare find — peaceful, full of character, and run with true care. It was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the quiet, and we’ll always remember the calm and kindness we experienced here.

10/10

Sergeant House is fully deserving of its top rating. We stayed for six nights in February 2025. The management and staff are so professional and do their utmost to ensure a happy stay. The rooms with one caveat (see below) are superb, as is the swimming pool and the grounds. It is a peaceful oasis just off the busy road that tracks the coast. It is a small hotel which is something we like - the pool never gets crowded and the service is personal. Dinner in the hotel is excellent. It has to be ordered before 11am and the chef will prepare dishes not on the menu (we had delicious grilled fish on our last night). We also ate out at the nearby Kabala Sunset and Sun n Sea plus the Dumpling House in Galle. All were good. The lady providing massages onsite was brilliant and reasonably priced. I did the hotel's suggested bike tour around the local lagoon and coconut husk/rope making 'factory' which was hugely enjoyable and easy (despite the gear-less bike) thanks to the brilliant guide. Caveat: Think carefully before booking the Cave Room. It is small and the second single bed is up some steep stairs. We are in our seventies and it was not really suitable for us. Fortunately there were some empty rooms for some of the nights and the hotel manager made everything perfect so a very big thank you to her.

10/10

You can not dream of something better than what you will find in Sergeant House. Refined taste, attention to detail, large, comfortable rooms, fantastic service. As a bonus, besides the beautiful pool, you cross the (busy ) street and you are at the private, cure beach.

10/10

Absolutely outstanding! Beautiful surroundings with many delightful courtyards to sit in and relax surrounded by antiques and lush planting. Gorgeous pool. The service was outstanding - everyone was courteous and charming and Chathuri, the Manager was so helpful, suggesting itineraries and arranging taxis for us - she was wonderful! The breakfasts were sublime and dinner was delicious. Small and intimate hotel, so you get to know the other guests but plenty of space to lounge on your own. The private beach was lovely and it was easy to get in to Galle by tuk-tuk. One of the nicest places I have ever stayed in.

10/10

This small and beautiful boutique hotel offers a super tranquil and luxury escape away from the hustle and bustle of Unawatuna on Sri Lanka’s south coast. The colonial design of the hotel with just seven rooms to choose from, combines local charm with incredible personal service. Add to that its private beach just across the road from the hotel and you have a stunning hotel we would love to return to. We even saw turtles from the beach. Sergeant House in Unawatuna has a really laid-back yet stylish vibe. The staff are incredibly welcoming, and there’s a super homely feeling to the place, When you enter the property from a busy road you can’t believe how quiet the space is and how you feel in the middle of nature. The swimming pool is perfectly formed for the number of guests and the sunbeds that sit within the pool itself are a lovely touch. There are small jacuzzi style pools around the grounds too. Massages can be booked and both myself and my eldest had massages which were excellent.

10/10

This boutique hotel is a fantastic place to stay for many reasons. Located in a quiet position, but only a few minutes walk into the village and on the main bus route if you want to go into Galle. The room was enormous. The attention to detail was outstanding in every aspect. Air conditioning was superb. Breakfast - plentiful and lovely fresh fruit. A very enjoyable stay - enhanced by the friendly staff who were very engaging. Faultless experience. Thoroughly enjoyable experience.

10/10

We have just arrived home after a fabulous night away staying with Chathuri at Sergeants House. To say it exceeded our expectations would not do it justice. The staff, the room, the food and the grounds were simply amazing. Our room was decorated to celebrate our sons birthday and they looked after the whole family like royalty. The grounds are stunning and the jacuzzi and pool the best we have visited in Sri Lanka. Everyone there created the perfect atmosphere to relax in and made our stay tweely sensational, thank you so much, we will be back .

10/10

Gorgeous Oasis Our family of 4 stayed in the beautiful, immaculate villa for 2 nights, but could've stayed forever. We were pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous grounds and swimming pool, delicious food, ayurvedic massages, and excellent location. The entire staff, especially Chaturi, was so kind and gracious and made our stay even more special. She even helped to arrange transportation for our excursion to Galle, having our luggage met at the most delightful restaurant there before our long haul flight back to the USA. It was wonderful being close to Unawatuna beach and the hustle and bustle, but being able to retreat to our oasis in the evenings. The kids loves Wijaya beach and seeing the giant turtles was a highlight, followed by great pizza! I loved my morning yoga in the courtyard with my Ceylon black tea. We have stayed at amazing places all over the world, but Sergeant House definitely made an impression on us and we cannot wait to return here someday!

10/10

An oasis close to the beach and restaurants A beautiful boutique villa managed by a charming woman and her fabulous staff. The food is wonderful, with the chef creating some seafood delights for us. The landscaped gardens and well designed suites and rooms made this stay a delight. Close to the Unawatuna strip but quiet and peaceful.