A little French savoir-faire, a lot of Sri Lankan warmth
The Blue Turtle Hotel was born from a simple idea: to create a place in Sri Lanka that combines the warmth and generosity of Sri Lankan hospitality with the French approach to hospitality, food and attention to detail.
The story began in Paris in 2012, when the founder, after more than 25 years in the restaurant industry, decided to embark on a new adventure in Sri Lanka. A piece of land was acquired in the south of the island, and construction began in 2014.
The Blue Turtle welcomed its first guests in January 2015.
Since then, it has grown into a truly independent, family-run hotel. The family remains closely involved in the property and its evolution, bringing together different backgrounds, perspectives and areas of expertise.
This spirit of independence is an important part of what makes the Blue Turtle unique. We have never set out to create a conventional hotel. Instead, we have created a place that reflects the way we like to travel, eat, relax and welcome people into our home.
The result is a hotel with its own personality — relaxed yet considered, intimate yet spacious, and unmistakably rooted in Sri Lanka.
A Place to Slow Down
Sri Lanka is a country made for exploration.
By the time you reach the deep south, you may already have travelled through ancient cities, tea country, mountains and along the coast. The Blue Turtle sits naturally within that journey — a place to pause, breathe and recharge before setting out again.
We believe that a memorable hotel should offer more than a beautiful room.
It should make you feel comfortable. It should give you space. It should invite you to slow down.
Above all, it should feel like somewhere you would genuinely want to stay.
This philosophy has shaped every part of the Blue Turtle, from the architecture and gardens to the restaurant, bar, pool and wellness spaces.
Nothing is designed simply for appearance. Everything has been created with the experience of our guests in mind.
A Garden at the Heart of the Hotel
The Blue Turtle sits within two acres of tropical gardens, with four two-storey buildings arranged around a generous infinity pool.
The architecture is deliberately open and spacious, allowing the garden and the surrounding nature to remain at the centre of the experience.
And nature is never far away.
Turtles wander through the grounds, while peacocks, monkeys, squirrels and lizards make occasional appearances. More than anything, the garden belongs to the birds: their calls and movements becoming part of the natural rhythm of the hotel.
Food, Freshly Prepared
At the heart of the main building is our open restaurant and live kitchen.
Our menu brings together Sri Lankan favourites and Western dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients and cooked to order.
There is no need to rush. Take your time, watch the kitchen at work and enjoy food prepared simply and freshly, just as it should be.
Drinks by the Pool
Just beside the restaurant, our bar looks out across the infinity pool.
It is a place for a morning juice, a long afternoon drink or a cocktail as the evening begins.
Our selection includes freshly prepared juices, cocktails and a wide range of drinks, all served in the relaxed atmosphere that defines the Blue Turtle.
The Little Turtle Shop
Near reception, the Little Turtle Shop offers a selection of handmade pieces and thoughtful souvenirs to take a little part of Sri Lanka home with you.
From clay elephants and handmade bracelets to unique accessories for your dog, the shop celebrates craftsmanship, creativity and the pleasure of finding something unexpected.
Space to Reconnect
Wellness has always been part of the Blue Turtle experience.
On the second floor of the main building, our 600 sqm yoga space overlooks the pool and provides a peaceful setting for yoga, meditation and quiet moments.
Our massage rooms offer another way to unwind, while the new Eco Twin Rooms on the third floor have been designed with privacy and tranquillity in mind.
Room to Breathe
With just 21 rooms, the Blue Turtle has the intimacy of a boutique hotel while offering remarkably generous spaces.
The hotel has been designed to give guests room to move, relax and simply be.
Facilities include:
- A 25 × 10 metre infinity pool
- A jacuzzi and children's pool
- A two-acre tropical garden
- A 2,000 sqm main building
- A 610 sqm open lobby
- A 600 sqm yoga and wellness area
And when night falls, the pool takes on a different character.
Optical fibres embedded into its floor create a subtle constellation of lights beneath the water, turning the pool into a starry spectacle after dark.
Your Home in the South
Located in the Tissamaharama–Yala–Kataragama area, the Blue Turtle is perfectly placed for discovering some of southern Sri Lanka's most remarkable landscapes and experiences.
But perhaps the best reason to stay is what happens between the adventures.
A quiet breakfast in the garden.
A swim at sunset.
A massage after a day of exploring.
A cocktail by the pool.
Dinner prepared in the open kitchen.
And the feeling that, for a little while, you have nowhere else you need to be.
That is the Blue Turtle.