Number One Mirissa is the only boutique hotel in Mirissa and perhaps the only hotel to boast a view such as theirs. Set on a cliff, the hotel faces the beach and uses its higher inclination to its advantage by offering a panoramic view of the Mirissa bay and the ocean. 

Manager and Partner, Mr. K.L Susantha worked as a tour guide for over 30 years before opening Number One Mirissa in 2012 with partner Mr. Scott Bradley. 

Having designed the hotel as a homage to Bawa and colonial traditionalism, every inch and corner of the hotel is full of character with intricate designs, furniture and historical interior. 

Accomodation 

The boutique hotel has 8 rooms; 4 garden rooms and 3 suites and 1 family room. 

The garden rooms located on the ground floor open up directly to the ocean view and has easy access to the hotel’s infinity pool. The suites are located on the upper floor and each suite has large terraces with a gorgeous view of the bay and the beach. 

Each suite is furnished with antique Sri Lankan furniture, a handmade four poster bed, flat screen with satellite TV, AC and fully equipped bathroom.  The terrace is spacey and is accompanied with several inclined chairs that are perfect to lounge about while you stare off into the sea.  The suites are cosy and roomy and is perfect for a romantic getaway! 

As the hotel is located on a cliff, it has a close proximity to the ocean and because of that the sounds of the ocean is very distinct and is one of the most soothing hums to be surrounded by. 

Food 

The hotel has an in-house restaurant and bar. The food is to be ordered a la carte. The restaurant is run by an internationally trained chef and the food is carefully prepared with an eye for detail and presentation. 

The bar is fully stock and stacked and the bartender can deliver whatever you require; be it a cocktail, a mock tail, a fresh fruit juice or even just a cold beer. 

Facilities 

One of our favourite parts about the boutique hotel is their infinity pool. While the concept of infinity pools are nothing new, Number One Mirissa’s infinity pool is one that could rival many. It’s a sea water pool with water from the ocean and because its sea water, the pool is quite warm so you won’t find yourself shivering in the water once you dive in and if you have chlorine allergies you have nothing to worry about! 

The best thing about the pool is that it offers you the best view of Mirissa that you cannot find anywhere else in Mirissa. You get the view of the bay and the view of the ocean and to see both simultaneously is unbelievable! 

The hotel is also extremely close to the surf point in the Mirissa Beach so they do offer surfboards for rental if you want to catch a wave or two. And because Mirissa is famous for snorkelling and whale watching – the hotel staff are always more than happy to organize a chance for you to get a boat ride to see the whales and the dolphins or explore the depths of the ocean. 

Service 

The boutique has 15 staff members, all employed locally. The staff is super friendly and accommodating and made sure we had a very pleasant stay and were flexible enough to work with our timings. 

The front desk including Mr. Susantha was completely obliging to us and helped us map our way through Mirissa and even went above and beyond to help us arrange our activities. Great service definitely goes a long way in leaving a good impression and we were definitely impressed! 

WiFi 

Yes 

Overall 

Overall, we loved our stay at Number One Mirissa. It was small and private and the facilities were excellent. But more so, the view the hotel has to offer is absolutely stunning and one I would go back again for. 

If you’re in Mirissa and in the mood to have a relaxing getaway with a great view, good service and good food, Number One Mirissa is definitely a recommendation! 

Room Rates 

Off Season - $125-150 (Family Room - $300) 

Season - $225-275 (Family Room - $500) 

*Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014 

Photographs by Zeeshan Akram Jabeer