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Authentically Sri Lankan boutique hotel the River House is the private-pool-equipped, butler-at-the-ready bolthole your jungle-hideaway dreams are made of: a five-room spot on the waterfront, tucked away amid the greenery. With its laid-back ambiance, it’s more like staying at your chic friends’ private waterfront home than a hotel. The River House is an artistic escape of sheer seclusion on the banks of the Madhu River. Surrounded by tropical wilderness, this is a place of romance and sensuality.

Each of the five luxuriant suites speak an imaginative language of design and are a sanctuary unto themselves. Guestrooms at River House are inspired by South Asian architecture. Each room has a flat-screen TV, DVD player and safety deposit box.

This atmospheric open-air restaurant overlooks the river and serves Sri Lankan delicacies, Indian curries and almost anything else you fancy: Chef Anuradha will (with a little notice) source fresh seafood and native veg to suit your taste.

There’s no spa such as on-site, but you can certainly book a Balinese massage or mani-pedi in the privacy of your suite. Splash lazily about admiring the garden scenery (it’s all tropical plants and manicured lawns), or relax on one of the extra-comfy surrounding loungers with a book. The pool’s cosily ensconced within the jungle greenery and feels perfectly private.