Buckingham Place, Tangalle — A Lagoon Retreat in Rekawa

Buckingham Place sits in the beautiful fishing village of Rekawa-Netolpitiya, close to the town of Tangalle in the deep south of Sri Lanka. Overlooking a tranquil lagoon and positioned just 70 metres from an unspoilt stretch of clean golden sand, the property offers a quietly elegant retreat within a well-guarded sanctuary. Rekawa Beach is famed for its seasonal turtle nesting and an active turtle watch project located next to the hotel.

The easiest route from Colombo follows the Colombo–Galle–Matara–Hambantota main motor road that runs along the coastal belt, passing through Dondra, Dickwella and Tangalle before reaching Rekawa-Netolpitiya. Airport transfers can be arranged upon request.

Accommodation

Buckingham Place offers 5 large individual lagoon-view double-bed rooms and 6 large linked lagoon-view double-bed suites. All units are air-conditioned and fitted with high-quality furnishings and comfortable bed linen. Most rooms include mini fridges and safes, while the bathrooms are spacious and well equipped. Extra beds can be pre-booked for an additional charge, with a maximum of one per room or suite.

The property also includes one easier-access room designed for differently abled guests, featuring same-level veranda and interior floors, a raised commode with support rails, a lower sink and wide doors. The room is a particularly spacious suite with a small air-conditioned annexe suitable for an aide or carer. Due to the traditional rock road and gravel pathways on the grounds, access across all areas is slightly hampered, though the hotel provides assistance.

Dining and Facilities

The Pavilion Restaurant is well regarded for its Sri Lankan and international fusion dishes, alongside old-fashioned standard meals and a stylish à la carte menu. Room service is available from 8.30 am to 9.30 pm, and the fully licensed bar — reserved exclusively for resident guests — is open until midnight. An easier-access entrance ramp and bathroom facility are available at the restaurant as well.

Additional facilities include free bicycle hire, free canoe hire, sun loungers, Wi-Fi in the soft-seat area, board games and books, and English-speaking drivers. The plunge pool is at a uniform depth of 1.2 metres. The hotel welcomes children, though facilities for younger guests are minimal, and parents are advised to keep smaller children away from the pool.

Beach and Excursions

The nearby lagoon is accessible by the hotel's non-motorised canoes, and a quiet rock pool can be reached by a short walk along the beach. Beyond the immediate surroundings, the hotel arranges a range of day excursions, including picnics on the beach, village walks, local cycling, and bird-watching trips at the Bundala Sanctuary. Guests can also embark on safaris to Yala and Uda Walawe National Parks, which are abundant with wildlife and large herds of elephants, as well as whale watching, scuba diving and snorkelling at Mirissa, and visits to the sacred town of Kataragama.