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The Kip: A Creative Hideaway in the Sri Lankan Jungle

Courtesy of The Kip Sri Lanka

When you pull up to The Kip, you are instantly lulled into the slow rhythms of island life. You can hear the rustle of the palms overhead, the distant crashing of waves— and, if you’re lucky—the call of a monkey or two. You’ve arrived.  

Slow travel is at the heart of The Kip’s ethos, so it’s no surprise that the hotel’s spaces have been carefully designed to promote slowing down and switching off. With just seven rooms, the hotel never feels overcrowded. You’ll find fellow guests grabbing a coffee in the café, lounging in the converted Colonial property’s peaceful courtyard with a good book, or setting up on a bamboo mat by the pool. There’s no pumping poolside soundtrack here; mellow surf rock plays quietly while the smell of jasmine incense wafts through the property, lending to an “airplane mode: on” vibe.

Courtesy of The Kip Sri Lanka

When it comes to the rooms, each of The Kip’s bedrooms is decked out with locally foraged trinkets (think: shells and driftwood from the local “Secret Beach” or art from their roster of artists-in-residence), natural woods, and light linens. The result? Elevated surf shack. The in-room toiletries are locally produced and can also be purchased from The Kip’s small boutique to take home with you.

The boutique itself deserves a special mention. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., it stocks a small selection of local basketry and textiles, alongside hand-printed sarongs, pottery, and postcards. Once again, the curation is spot on here—are you noticing a theme?

Courtesy of The Kip Sri Lanka

What really sets The Kip apart from other hotels in the area is its thoughtfully curated programme of events and workshops throughout the year. Owners Phoebe and Seddy take special care in hand-selecting guests and hosting events that appeal to their consciously minded clientele. Expect weekly Yin yoga classes, supper clubs with visiting chefs (often personal friends), life drawing, pottery, and more. Venture into a shady corner of the main courtyard, and you’ll usually find one of The Kip’s artists-in-residence working on their latest project. Feel free to watch, ask questions, or even try it yourself. Phoebe and Seddy go the extra mile to ensure creativity from around the world has a place in their space.

Courtesy of The Kip Sri Lanka

This sense of fostering community extends beyond the property to the residents of Ahangama more widely. Since opening The Kip in 2017, the pair, with help from socially engaged expat friends, have launched a handful of other hospitality businesses in Ahangama that employ and train local talent. They’ve also established the Good Dharma International School, catering largely to intrepid expats and their families looking to lay roots on Sri Lanka’s South Coast.

You could argue that The Kip was the spot that put Ahangama on the map. Recognized by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the nicest affordable hotels in the world shortly after opening back in 2017, The Kip has been instrumental in attracting visitors to this once-sleepy surf town. Since my previous visit in 2019, the area has seen a surge in surf camps (Soul & Surf is a personal favorite) and design-led beachside restaurants and bars. So, after a day of slowing down, you can pick up the pace later if you so choose—or retreat back to your jungle oasis for an early night. It’s your call.

Top Takeaways

Location: Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Address: Mahavidana Gedara, Dharmarama Road Ahangama, 80650

Rating: Four-Star

The vibe: A boutique hub for surfers, digital nomads and local creative types.

Food + Drink:  Some of the best in the area. A local favourite thanks to their pick-you-own breakfast boards, great coffee and proper bread (still surprisingly hard to come by in Sri Lanka). In high season The Kip opens up for dinner, hosting a rotation of guest chefs from Sri Lanka and beyond.

Our favourite part of the hotel: When it’s not hosting events, the communal courtyard space is the perfect place to curl up with a book, and one of the hotel’s resident pups for a slow afternoon. 

Amenities:  The Kip forgoes bells and whistles in favour of the essentials. Rooms are sparsely decorated with local finds and handcrafted pieces. For those who love to lounge, the property has recently added a pool to the garden area – an ideal spot to unwind post-surf. 

What’s nearby? The pretty colonial town of Galle is just 13km away and can be reached easily by local tuk-tuk. It’s a great place to pick up some local handicrafts and admire the architecture. Feeling adventurous? Head to Yala or Udawalawe National Park and spend the day searching for wild elephants and leopards on a jeep safari. 

Any personal neighborhood recs?  We love Ceylon Sliders for a bite no matter the time of day—the seared tuna shouldn’t be missed. For sunset drinks, Colombo-export Hotel de Uncles serves up the most innovative cocktails in town. Manori’s Kitchen is as authentic as it gets if you’re seeking home-cooked local cusine.

Rooms: 3 double rooms, and 4 new studios behind the main house.

Pricing: Rates start at $169 per night

Closest airport: Colombo Airport (International) is 125km away. 

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