Taprobane Island: A Private Island Retreat in Sri Lanka

Set off the south coast of Sri Lanka, Taprobane Island is the only privately owned one in the country

We talk about going to the ends of the earth for a truly unique luxury holiday but that talk is usually metaphorical. It’s time to get literal. There is nothing but miles and miles of ocean between Taprobane Island and Antarctica. Think of it as the last stop on the way to the South Pole and one set in a tropical paradise.

Set off the south coast of Sri Lanka, Taprobane Island is a 2 ½ acre island – the only privately owned one in the country. On it sits a sprawling octagonal shaped home originally built by Count de Mauny-Talvande in the 1920s. Since then it has hosted a number of notable figures including royalty, presidents and prime ministers. Now it serves as a private island getaway to vacationers seeking something truly different.

The main house features five bedrooms, four doubles and one twin, which sleep up to ten comfortably. Rooms are decorated with romantic four-poster beds draped with mosquito nets, ceiling fans and colonial-style furniture. All have en-suite bathrooms. The cherry on top is the private patios with sea views stretching into the distance as far as the eye can see located off all rooms. The public areas of the house included living spaces, terraces and verandas for relaxing. Outside is an infinity pool that seems to extend out into the Indian Ocean and two acres of tropical gardens filled with orchids, frangipanis and hibiscus flowers.

A staff of five, including a private chef, works to ensure guests’ comfort during their stay. Every morning, guests discuss what they’d like to eat that day and the staff ventures out to purchase fresh produce. Showcase dishes include seafood flavored with Asian influences and traditional Sri Lankan curries. Sunset cocktails and teas are also provided and guests can choose to eat and drink at several breathtaking spots on Taprobane Island.

Photography: Taprobane Island