Casa Tikiri

Casa Tikiri is the story of a journey with no return — a dream that seemed crazy and instead took root by the sea. Here on the shores of Ahangama, a quiet village on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, we’re welcomed into the whirlwind adventure of Alice and Stefano, an Italian couple from Lecco, who realized it was time to change their lives during the lockdown in 2020. Asia had always held a special place in their hearts, where the couple has traveled for the past 15 years, enraptured by the diverse cultures, but then the inevitable rut of routine came back. There was the mortgage to pay, the secure but overwhelming job, and the chaos that cancels out any flickers imagination. That is, until the lockdown brought time to a standstill.

It was then that Alice and Stephen felt the urgency to leave, to free themselves from a dull existence and fly off into the horizon where peacocks pace alongside monkeys in a lush garden.

From this vision came Casa Tiriki, a boutique hotel with just seven rooms, which Alice and Stefano built little by little with love and dedication, getting help from the villagers, who they soon came to consider family.

Sri Lankan tradition, culture and craftsmanship are the pillars on which this project was built. Behind a pink gate, wrapped in the wild embrace of the jungle, the boutique hotel emerges as a joyous and discreet oasis founded on the concept of simplicity. Here it’s the song of the waves (only 300 meters away) that marks the hours, while the stylistic choices speak an authentic language: restored antique furniture, organic materials, and vibrant colors borrowed from the feathers of the birds that intertwine with the warmer notes of the earth.

To cool off, guests can take a dip in the swimming pool or wash up with the outdoor shower, which the owners particularly recommend when it rains or when the stars come out. There are also many memorable experiences to be had around Casa Tiriki: safaris, tea and cinnamon tastings, surf lessons, yoga, and cooking classes. Food is also an essential element to discover the essence of the place, so you’ll only find local dishes here, to be enjoyed in the restaurant or by the pool, all made with products taken from the village market or grown in the garden.

Sustainability is a must in a space that celebrates its symbiosis with nature: at Casa Tiriki the use of plastic is kept to a minimum, solar panels ensure the production of hot water, and everything is done to avoid waste. Nature gives thanks by offering its breathtaking views, crystal clear water, flowers, plants and exotic animals that live side by side with guests and owners. These are the greatest treasures of the boutique hotel, which becomes a joyful invitation to rediscover the little things and live slowly.