Sri Lanka’s historic Kalkudah Beach House opens its doors - The West Australian

A private home which was abandoned and intermittently occupied by both the Sri Lankan military and Tamil Tigers during during Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war opens on June 1, 2025, as a resort. Kalkudah Beach House is on a 10ha coconut estate, on the beach on Kalkudah Bay on Sri Lanka’s east coast. The newest addition to Teardrop Hotels’ portfolio is a six-hour drive from the capital, Colombo. It is an hour’s drive from the cultural hub of Polonnaruwa. A LITTLE BIG HISTORY Kalkudah Beach House’s Main House was originally bought as a family holiday home in the 1970s and known as Eastern Breeze Estate. During Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war, Sri Lankan soldiers and Tamil Tigers fighters occasionally bunkered down here. The current owners bought it in 2004, shortly after a tsunami swept through the region. A spokesperson for the hotel explains: “The house’s Dutch-inspired arched windows and doors of the Main House withstood the disaster, though the building had fallen into disrepair and required extensive refurbishment. “Over the past 20 years, a slow and deliberate evolution has shaped Kalkudah Beach House into what it is today.” + Additions include a two-bedroom Palm Villa, 22m swimming pool and water purification system that integrates the gardens and estate and fills the pool. + The Main House has three guest rooms, the Beachview Bedroom (33sqm) on the ground floor; Beachview Suite (38sqm) on the opposite side of the ground floor; and Kalkudah Suite (72sqm) taking up the upper floor. + The Palm Villa is a modern, single-storey villa, with two Beachview Suites (each 38sqm). They open onto a shared veranda with beach views. The spokesperson adds: “Both houses seamlessly blend luxury and sustainability, with solar panels generating 100 per cent of the property’s electricity and purified water flowing from every tap.” PRODUCE & EATING Ocean-to-table dining is at the heart of the dining experience here. “Much of the seafood comes directly from the fishermen who bring in their daily catch right in front of the hotel,” says the spokesperson. “Succulent sea crab and grilled reef fish are prepared with locally-sourced ingredients and perfectly paired with fresh salads and aromatic Sri Lankan curries. A BASE FOR CULTURE Kalkudah Beach House is well-placed to be a base for those who want to see the sights of the east coast and Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. Action There are waves at Arugam Bay, snorkelling in nearby coral-rich coves, diving and fishing trips in Pasikuda, whale and dolphin watching tours in Trincomalee, and sunset cruises over Kalkudah Bay. Culture Guests could visit the Dutch Fort in Batticaloa, see Sigiriya rock fortress, the UNESCO listed ancient city of Polonnaruwa, town markets at Valaichchenai and elephants, leopards, sloth bears and other endemic wildlife at Minneriya or Kumana national parks. fact file + Kalkudah Beach House has an Early Bird Offer with discounted room rates of 10 per cent until September 15, 2025, and from April 1 to September 15, 2026, and 20 per cent off from September 16, 2025, to March 31, 2026. The Early Bird Offer is priced from $US270 ($415) per night for two people in a Beachview Bedroom including accommodation, breakfast, afternoon tea in the pavilion from 3.30pm to 4.30pm and Social Hour serving complimentary local beer and house wine at the bar from 5pm to 6pm. + The best time to visit Kalkudah is usually between April and October, when there should be low humidity, clear skies and minimal rainfall. The rainy season traditionally begins in early November and lasts until February. But rains are described as “periodic”. teardrop-hotels.com