Great — here are highly recommended boutique villas and small boutique properties across Sri Lanka, grouped by region with a short note on what makes each special and links to reputable sources so you can check availability and details.

Southern coast & Bentota

• Jetwing Saman Villas (Bentota) — cliff‑top, romantic boutique hotel with ocean‑facing suites and some private plunge pools; iconic early Sri Lankan boutique property for couples and honeymooners. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Red Cliffs / Pradeep Jayewardene House (Mirissa/Weligama) — Geoffrey Bawa–designed cliff‑top pavilion with private pool, lawns and direct access to small beaches (book whole villa or rooms). Great for architecture lovers and private groups. (redcliffsmirissa.com)
• Villa Shala (private villa, south coast) — large luxury private villa near southern beaches, popular for families/groups who want full‑service villa rental and private pool. (Listed by specialist villa agencies.) (oliverstravels.com)
• Amanwella (Tangalle) — small, low‑density luxury resort of freestanding suites (each with a plunge pool) — feels like a boutique villa resort on a quiet bay. (reddottours.com)

Galle & South‑west boutique stays

• Amangalla (Galle Fort) — heritage boutique property inside Galle Fort (period rooms, intimate atmosphere) — ideal if you want a villa‑like, historic stay in the fort. (scottdunn.com)
• The Fortress Resort & Spa / KK Beach (Ahangama/Koggala) — modern boutique beach hotels with a small number of suites and a private resort feel (good for surf + design‑led stays). (fortressresortandspa.com)

Cultural Triangle & Central Plains

• Jetwing Vil Uyana (Sigiriya) — eco‑luxury “villa” dwellings set amid handcrafted wetlands and paddy habitats; private, eco‑focused villas and plunge pools with easy access to Sigiriya and Minneriya. Excellent if you want private dwellings in a nature reserve. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Diyabubula (Dambulla / near Sigiriya) — tiny art & jungle hideaway of individually designed villas by artist Laki Senanayake — highly unique, peaceful and artistic (very small inventory — book early). (diyabubula.com)

Hill Country (tea‑country bungalows)

• Ceylon Tea Trails (Hatton / Nuwara Eliya region) — restored planter bungalows (private‑house feel) across a tea estate; each bungalow is effectively a private villa with butler service — iconic highland “villa” experience. (resplendentceylon.com)

What these picks cover

• private architectural villas (Bawa’s Red Cliffs),
• small‑scale boutique hotels with villa suites (Amanwella, Saman Villas),
• private whole‑villa rentals for groups (Villa Shala), and
• heritage/estate bungalow experiences (Ceylon Tea Trails). Each offers more privacy, personalized service and distinctive design than large resorts. (See the individual links above for details.) (redcliffsmirissa.com)

Quick practical tips

• Best region by month: southwest & south coast (Bentota, Galle, Tangalle, Mirissa) — best Dec–Apr; east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) — best May–Sep. Shoulder months (Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct) are often a good compromise for island‑wide travel. (lonelyplanet.com)
• Book early for December–March (high season) — most boutique villas have very limited inventory. For signature villas (Bawa houses, tiny hideaways) reserve 3–6 months in advance if possible. (redcliffsmirissa.com)
• If you want a truly private villa, search specialist villa agencies (Oliver’s Travels, Villasia, Mr & Mrs Smith, private‑rental platforms) or contact villa management directly; boutique hotels often allow private use of small villas/suites but have limited rooms. (oliverstravels.com)
• Check transport times: Sri Lanka’s roads can be slow; plan your route (airport ⇄ coast ≈ 2–3 hours depending on traffic, hill country longer). Bring flexible time for transfers. (Local guides/driver hires are recommended.)

Would you prefer

• a private whole‑villa rental for a family/group,
• a tiny boutique hotel (1–20 rooms) with villa suites, or
• a heritage/tea‑estate bungalow experience?

If you tell me which region you’re leaning toward (south coast, Galle, Sigiriya/cultural triangle, hill country or east coast), how many people, and travel dates or month, I can tailor a short list with availability‑friendly options, sample nightly rates and direct booking links.