Here are highly recommended boutique villas and small villa-style hotels across Sri Lanka, grouped by region with a short summary of what makes each special, who they suit, and practical booking tips.

South coast (Galle / Mirissa / Bentota)

• Three Gables Boutique Villa (Mirissa) — Small, design-forward beachfront villa with ocean-view rooms and an infinity pool; excellent for couples and whale‑watching trips out of Mirissa. (Good for short stays near Mirissa’s beaches and nightlife.) (threegablesboutiquevilla.com)
• Kumbura Luxury Villa (near Galle) — Modern, fully serviced private villa set among paddy fields with a central infinity pool; ideal for families or groups wanting privacy close to Galle Fort and southern surf spots. (Self-contained with staff and often rented as an entire-house option.) (kumburaluxuryvilla.com)
• JH Villa / JH Beach House (Galle area) — Restored colonial estate offering whole‑villa rentals or individual suites and a separate beach house — great for groups wanting a historic, intimate estate near the ocean. (somnasagroup.com)
• Saman Villas (Bentota) — One of Sri Lanka’s first boutique properties (luxury suites, some with private pools), famed for seaside location and long‑standing boutique‑hotel service — excellent for luxury beach stays on the west coast. (en.wikipedia.org)

Cultural/Central Highlands

• The Kandy House (Kandy) — A restored 19th‑century manor turned boutique villa‑hotel with nine individually styled suites, lush gardens and a quiet, heritage atmosphere — perfect for culture seekers visiting Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Diyabubula (near Dambulla / Cultural Triangle) — Artist Laki Senanayake’s art-and-jungle hideaway of a few villas set in sculpted gardens and water features — superb for art lovers and guests seeking seclusion amid central‑province nature and cultural sites. (en.wikipedia.org)

Colombo & West

• Small, design-led boutique villas and villa‑hotels in Colombo (examples include independent boutique homes and converted townhouses) — stay here for city culture, galleries and dining; choose a villa‑style stay if you want a private, homely base rather than a large hotel. (Check boutique listings in Colombo 3 / 7 for best location options.) (thetimes.co.uk)

South & South‑West boutique picks (additional)

• The Divine Villa / private villas around Galle — Luxury hilltop villas with ocean / paddy views and private grounds — ideal for groups wanting an exclusive villa takeover with panoramic views and bespoke staff service. (villas.byunique.com)

Why these stand out

• Heritage and design: properties such as The Kandy House and JH Villa repurpose colonial/manor houses into intimate, characterful stays. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Private villa experience: many South coast villas (Kumbura, Three Gables, Divine Villa) offer full-house rentals, private pools and dedicated staff — excellent for family gatherings, honeymooners, or groups. (kumburaluxuryvilla.com)
• Artistic/unique hideaways: Diyabubula is an unusual, art-driven jungle hideaway that’s different from typical beach villas. (en.wikipedia.org)

Price expectations (approx.)

• Budget to mid-range boutique rooms: $80–$200/night (smaller villas or rooms in boutique guesthouses).
• Upscale/private villas & villa takeovers: $300–$1,500+/night depending on size, season and included staff/services. Note: prices vary widely by season (high season—December to March and July/August), and many villas charge minimum‑stay rules or full‑house rates for groups.

Booking tips

• Book early for December–March and major Sri Lankan school holidays; many top boutique villas have limited rooms and sell out. (Check cancellation policies.)
• For villa takeovers, confirm what’s included (meals, driver, domestic transfer, staff gratuities, power backup).
• Ask about water/safety (safe drinking water, pool fencing if you have small children).
• For whale watching from Mirissa or surf trips, confirm proximity and arrange boats/surf lessons through the villa for local expertise.
• Use villa websites, trusted villa specialists, or major OTAs (Booking/Agoda/UniqueVillas) — compare direct rates vs. OTA rates and check recent guest reviews.

If you want, I can:

• Narrow recommendations by region (e.g., only Galle/Mirissa) or by travel style (honeymoon, family, surf trip).
• Check availability and approximate rates for specific dates (I can look up live rates/availability for the properties above).

Which region or travel style should I focus on next?