Where is it? Overlooking picturesque Bird Lake, 2km inland from the beach resort of Hikkaduwa, Asian Jewel is a three-hour drive from the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.
What's the setup? British husband-and-wife team Dale and Tanya Mahon have realised their dream of establishing a boutique hotel amid the paddy fields and cinnamon trees of rural Sri Lanka. The decor is unfussy, featuring locally handcrafted furniture, tiled floors and private balconies offering views of the lake. Rooms are equipped with DVD players and an extensive list of film titles, although the landscaped swimming pool area will entice all but the most amorous of honeymooners from their rooms.
Rice and curry, then? Far from it. Drawing on years of catering experience, Tanya serves up superbly prepared and presented western, Thai and Sri Lankan specialities. Bread is freshly baked on the premises, the coconut ice-cream is homemade and seafood is bought to order at Hikkaduwa market. Pots of Ceylon tea and chocolate brownies magically appear throughout the day. Meals are served on a colonial-style verandah overlooking the lagoon.
What else is there to do? Dale organises boating and bird-watching trips along Bird Lake and shuttles guests to beautiful Hikkaduwa Beach in a bright red auto rickshaw. Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage site, is a short drive away and more extensive tours of Sri Lanka with a car and driver can be arranged.
What else should we know? Construction of Asian Jewel was interrupted by the 2004 tsunami. The Mahons abandoned work to offer shelter and assistance to its victims. They also became involved in the reconstruction process, overseeing the building of 10 homes for villagers. The couple remain committed to the community and point out that money spent in the hotel helps provide employment and enhances the livelihood of locals.
What's the bottom line? Rates range from US$55 (HK$430) for a deluxe room to US$85 for the spacious family suite and include breakfast. Dale is likely to undercharge at check-out time and sometimes offers a free drink while he tots up the bill. Business comes a poor second to hospitality at Asian Jewel.