A surfer’s ideal hideaway – cosy beds just steps from the beach, with a yoga shala and fresh foodie café just on the other side of the wall. Perfect for a simple, budget stay moments from the sand.
– Saskia, last visited in March 2019
With surfers having flocked to Sri Lanka’s beaches since the 1970s, the beach culture here is constantly shifting and evolving to meet the growing influx of travellers eager to spend their days riding the waves – and their evenings unwinding in cosy comfort.
Rolling with the priorities and desires of the twenty-first-century traveller, Lime & Co have created a wonderfully relaxed bolthole with all the amenities essential to a great stay just moments from the sand. Guests are invited to relax in minimalist bedrooms, to cool off in the courtyard pool and to share their adventures with one another at communal tables set upon a terrace overlooking the leafy garden.
This is small hotel style on a pared-back budget. Well-considered comfort meets a warm, welcoming ambience in a little hideaway within easy reach of the waves.
Perfect for…
Simpler stay
Rooms
With seven double and five twin bedrooms set around a communal courtyard, Lime & Co encourages laid-back chill and plenty of interaction with other guests. Travelling as a group of three, we nabbed two double rooms near the courtyard pool and soaked up the beach vibes for three wonderful days.
With polished concrete floors and rustic golden walls, rooms are earthy and pared-back. Cosy beds, topped with brightly patterned cushions, are draped in mosquito nets, while small wooden desks – along with excellent Wi-Fi – provide the perfect perch for an hour’s work or a Skype session with family back home.
Little storage nooks and hanging spaces are built into the walls, while stable doors open onto the hotel’s back garden, revealing wooden racks for drying soggy swimwear. Big windows and doors make the most of the cooling sea breeze which wafts through the property and high-powered fans keep rooms cool during the night.
Spacious bathrooms also boast polished concrete walls and floors, with vintage pots serving as sinks and large showers to rinse off sand and salt water after a day spent out on the sea.
Drinking & dining
Lime & Co does not offer food on-site, but there is a well-equipped communal kitchen for guests to prepare snacks and meals if they choose to do so.
Kick off the morning with a big bowl of cereal topped with fresh fruit pool-side, or tuck into a post-surf snack in the early evening at one of the large tables on the covered terrace.
There are plenty of little restaurants nearby, but the absolute highlight is Ajna next door. Open seven days a week, this partner café serves up tasty treats from 8am every morning.
Feast on avocado toast with fresh tomato and basil salsa, or munch on a coconut milk porridge bowl filled with fruit. From breakfast tacos to beetroot crêpes – our personal favourite – you can stumble out of bed or roll in from a surf and land straight in foodie heaven.
Facilities & activities
Midigama’s main draw is undoubtedly the waves. Set within easy reach of four popular surf breaks, this is a place made for those eager to hit those world-famous Indian Ocean waves. Lime & Co’s friendly team are on hand with local know-how, recommendations for surfboard hire and information about arranging beginners’ lessons in Weligama (a mere 10 minutes away by three-wheeler).
Amble along the nearby beaches of Midigama, Ahangama and Kabalana as you seek out a secluded spot for a dip, or café-hop to your heart’s content, with buzzing eateries aplenty along this stretch of the south coast.
Yoga lovers will find a varied programme of daily classes at Ajna, just across the wall from Lime & Co. From vinyasa to yin with aromatherapy, boxing to HIIT in the open-sided shala, there should be plenty to keep visitors busy – mind, body and soul.
Alternatively, chill out by the courtyard pool in the hotel’s lush tropical garden, sway in one of the hammocks with a good book, or crack out a pack of cards in the shade during the hottest part of the day.
Canoe across Koggala Lake, cycle through nearby villages, venture 45 minutes along the coast to gorgeous historic Galle Fort for boutique shopping and fabulous food, or arrange a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage at a nearby spa to truly unwind.
Things we love
• The plunge pool is a welcome and unusual addition, compared to other similarly simple spots on the south coast.
• The communal atmosphere is a cracking way to meet fellow travellers
• Ajna Food + Yoga just next door – ideal for morning classes followed by delicious breakfasts.
Things to note
• The property is bordered by the coastal road on one side, and train tracks on another. While the proximity of the former means the sea is just moments away, the passing of traffic and trains can potentially cause a disturbance to light sleepers – though we think the rattling red-painted carriages make for a characterful addition to an afternoon in the garden.
• Although the fans are powerful, there is no A/C, meaning that rooms risk getting very toasty in the hot season (April-May).
When to visit
The south coast is in season – and at it’s best for surfing – from November to March, but the hotel is open year-round.
Location & information
The journey from Bandaranaike International Airport to Lime & Co Midi takes just less than 2.5 hours by car on the expressway.
There are also regular bus and train services running from Colombo and Galle – see our travel tips for further info.
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Indhana Road,
Midigama East
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