Escape to a hideaway on the serene southern coast of Sri Lanka, off the beaten track, for laid-back luxury you can unwind in without a care in the world. Perched on a headland overlooking the Rekawa Lagoon, Buckingham Place is where comfort meets coastal charm. A gentle coast with the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean invites you to swim, stroll, and explore. Whether you are solo trekking, craving romantic moments, or questing for quality family time, here’s why you should set your sights on Buckingham Place in Tangalle.
Boutique Beachside Hotel with a Unique Personality
Buckingham Place is not named after a certain palace. Rather, it is named after Nick Buckingham, the founder, whose affinity for Sri Lanka and its southern coast continues to shape the hotel’s ethos.
The 16 accommodation options at Buckingham Place come in seven layouts, each designed to maximize views, privacy, and luxury. For example, the 7 detached lagoon-view bedrooms come in different sizes. In addition, the 4 superior view suites offer panoramic seclusion, while the 4 linked extra-large superior view suites are ideal for families and groups. Completing the range, its Lagoon Honeymoon Suite even features a coconut tree in the middle of its open-air bathroom.
Dining and Amenities
Guests can look forward to the full array of amenities that southern Sri Lanka luxury hotels deliver. Find eclectic, mouthwatering menus, featuring Sri Lankan, international, and imaginative fusion cuisine. The hotel’s hangouts include an open-air pavilion restaurant, international bar, a 33m infinity pool with poolside bar, an amphitheatre, games room, and mezzanine lounge. Dietary requirements are respected and catered to. Ask for more info before arrival. You can also celebrate special occasions, such as anniversaries and birthdays, with your favourite food and drink by letting the staff know in advance.
Eco Policy
Buckingham Place in Tangalle has been proactively reducing plastic use over the years, starting with refillable metal flasks and reusable straws, replacing plastic bottles and straws. Staff go shopping with bags made from old cushion covers, rooms are stocked with water flasks and reusable snack jars, bathroom amenities come in earthenware bottles, takeaways are wrapped in banana leaves, and the kitchen reduces Clingfilm use by 1.5km annually. You would be doing them a favour by taking back the plastic items you brought with you as you return.
Child Policy
Buckingham Place boutique hotel in Tangalle welcomes children aged 9 years and above. In line with this policy, parents travelling with children aged 9 – 12 years (up to a maximum of two) are not charged when they share the parents’ accommodation.
Beds for 9 – 12-year-olds are provided by prior arrangement and are available in four spacious, extra-large rooms, each capable of accommodating up to two single beds suitable for either children or adults. The two extra-large ground-floor suites can accommodate one extra single bed or bunk bed by prior arrangement. Each additional guest aged 13 years or older is charged USD 50 per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis and will be accommodated in an extra-large bedroom with an additional single bed.
Pets and Wildlife
The hotel’s very own pet dogs are loved, fed, bathed, and routinely vaccinated. They are friendly and offer adorable furry companionship. The wild grey langurs who come to visit hang out in the garden are amusing and curious. However, guests should not feed them. You will see peacocks and other amazing birdlife in the tropical garden and beyond, making Buckingham Place a fantastic spot to birdwatch.
Situated on the edge of a prime nesting beach for sea turtles, guests can roam freely during the day to witness turtle hatchlings heading to sea. Visits after dark are restricted by wildlife rangers and village nest-protectors to safeguard nesting sea turtles. The nightwatch is funded by visitor donations, and a responsible approach is followed to ensure turtles are not disturbed. Guests can speak with the staff to arrange supervised night turtle watching, which follows strict protocol.
Tangalle: More Than a Beach Escape
While Buckingham Place provides the perfect setting for rest and rejuvenation, the wider Tangalle region reveals a captivating mix of natural landscapes, cultural landmarks, and outdoor experiences waiting to be discovered. From wildlife encounters to ancient temples and coastal adventures, here are some of the standout attractions near Tangalle to explore:
Yala National Park
Located around an hour’s drive from Tangalle, Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most renowned wildlife reserve, especially celebrated for its high density of leopards. Its varied terrain, ranging from scrub jungle and grasslands to wetlands, lagoons, and coastal stretches, creates a rich habitat for elephants, crocodiles, birdlife, and countless other species.
Kumana National Park
For travellers seeking a quieter, more remote wildlife experience, Kumana National Park, which borders Yala, is a rewarding excursion. It is especially renowned for its rich birdlife and unspoilt wilderness. The park is home to over 200 bird species, including pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, and migratory waterbirds that gather around its natural lagoons and wetlands.
Udawalawe National Park
Located a few hours inland from Tangalle, the park, centred around Udawalawe Reservoir, is one of Sri Lanka’s most rewarding wildlife destinations and is especially famous for its large and easily sighted herds of Asian elephants. Thanks to its open grasslands and relatively sparse forest cover, the park offers excellent visibility, making it ideal for first-time safari goers and wildlife photographers alike.
Buckingham Place is a perfectly placed Tangalle boutique hotel, for easy access to nature encounters and wildlife exploration.
Mulkirigala Rock Temple
One of the region’s most significant cultural sites, this ancient Buddhist monastery set dramatically atop a towering rock is well worth the climb. A scenic hike leads visitors through cave temples adorned with centuries-old murals, culminating in panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.
Hummanaya Blowhole
A short drive from Tangalle in the coastal village of Kudawella, you find Sri Lanka’s only known blowhole, and one of the largest in the world. When ocean conditions are right, powerful columns of seawater surge high into the air, creating a dramatic natural display that’s both awe-inspiring and photo-worthy.
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
Situated just east of Tangalle, Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is a peaceful retreat for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Home to more than 150 recorded bird species, including herons, egrets, and kingfishers, this mangrove-fringed lagoon system offers a tranquil half-day escape into Sri Lanka’s wetland ecosystems.
Kataragama Sacred Site
One of Sri Lanka’s most important and spiritually significant destinations, Kataragama is a revered multi-faith pilgrimage site sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and indigenous people. It is best known for Kataragama Devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Lord Skanda (a Hindu God), and its unique atmosphere of devotion, ritual, and living tradition. Visitors often miss out on Kataragama when staying at southern Sri Lanka luxury hotels, but staying at Buckingham Place will get you there within an hour and a half.
Low Country Tea Estates
While Sri Lanka’s misty hill-country tea plantations are world-renowned, the low-country tea estates of the southern region offer a lesser-known yet equally fascinating experience. Located within a comfortable drive from Tangalle, these estates thrive in the warmer climate and lower elevations, producing teas that are bold, full-bodied, and rich in colour, a distinct contrast to their highland counterparts.
Galle City & Fort
If you are up for a longer day trip, an excursion to historic Galle city, complete with its famous Dutch Fort, is well worth the journey. This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases impressive ramparts, elegant colonial-era buildings, boutique shops, cafés, and scenic sunset views along its fortified walls.
Beach Hopping & Water Adventures
Tangalle’s coastline is dotted with a variety of beautiful beaches, each with its own character. From the calm, palm-lined shores of Goyambokka Beach to the energetic surf breaks of Hiriketiya, visitors can enjoy swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and laid-back beachside dining along this spectacular stretch of coast.
Whale Watching in Mirissa
An hour’s scenic drive along the coast brings you to Mirissa, one of the country’s most popular destinations for whale watching. The deep waters just offshore make this area one of the best places in the world to spot blue whales, along with sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, and playful pods of dolphins. Prime season runs from November to April.
Stay at Buckingham Place with Blue Lanka Tours
Whether you are after a peaceful escape, craving wildlife encounters, or looking for a launchpad for cultural and nature exploration, Buckingham Place is the ultimate boutique hotel in Tangalle, delivering it all. Discover its ultimate beachfront tranquillity with Blue Lanka Tours. We are proud to showcase nature-loving, sustainability-focused, unique hotels in our property portfolio. As Sri Lanka’s premier driver of responsible tourism, we handpick properties that are run responsibly, while offering enriching experiences for travellers. Explore the spectacular south coast, its wilderness, culture, and history with Blue Lanka Tours. Tailormade for you meaningfully and responsibly.