Located within the 200 year old walls and of a onetime Dutch and then Ayurvedic hospital is the Doctor’s House; both the most unique and unforgettable hostel that I’ve ever stayed in. Read on to find out more about this hostel that should be on the top of any traveler’s list visiting the south coast of Sri Lanka.

WHY GO?

The Doctor’s house is quite possibly my favourite hostel in the world. Yes, yes, I know. Everybody has a supposed ‘favourite hostel,’ that provided them magic memories, a lasting impression and a stay like no other. So what if it’s cliche? The Doctor’s House was recommended to me by word of mouth, and since I visited in 2017, the place seems to have quietly grown into one of the best places to stay in Sri Lanka. Aesthetically, the place is amazing, and you’ll struggle to find cheaper beachfront accomodation pretty well anywhere on the island. Expect to pay around $14 USD per night to stay here - an exceptionally fair price given the enjoyment that is guaranteed by staying here. Consider staying at the Doctor’s house an investment in your future wellbeing. This feels like an advertisement doesn’t it? Can guarantee it’s not - writing this is my civic duty - this is a place you need to stay.

UNDERSTAND

Located right on the beachfront, in the tiny town of Madiha, The Doctor’s house is a hostel built within the complex of a 200 year old Ditch hospital. The actual hostel itself compliments the buildings origins perfectly, seamlessly integrating dorm rooms, a kitchen and bar area and showers into the gorgeously run down old hospital. Think aged walls, crumbling stonework and wide grassy areas to lay out. The rooms retain the original aesthetics of the crumbling colonial architecture, creating a fascinating look into the past, while maintaining a comfortable space to kick it for a few days (or a week). The Doctor’s House offers accommodation, a restaurant (with a wood-fired pizza oven), a bar, surfing lessons, board hire, yoga classes and much more.

I spent 3 nights in the Doctor’s house, and was lucky enough to also spend my 26th birthday there. The vibe of the place was amazing - all of the staff were relaxed, the beds comfortable, and the open air showers a welcome relief. Most impressive however, were the grounds - stretching out from the dorm area lies a massive common green, replete with hammocks, chairs and a fully-functioning bar. Best of all, no matter where you are within the hostel you’l; be afforded perfect views of the beach, never more than a minutes walk away.

The majority of my time spent at the Doctor’s house was either surfing the reef break up the road on a borrowed board, reading in a hammock, and hanging out with other travellers. The place was a melting pot of fantastic humans, perfect vibes and sunsets to die for. The reef break up the road was fairly fun, but got pretty crowded in the late afternoon. Can confirm that the swell here is fairly consistent, and I spent two very satisfying afternoons out surfing with some of the guys working at the hostel - i even saw a sea turtle paddling out. Magical moments aren’t hard to come by in this part of Sri Lanka.

WHERE

The Doctor’s house is located just outside the town of Madiha, on the far South Coast of Sri Lanka. Tucked away 5 hours by bus from Colombo, The Doctor’s house was an utter slice of heaven amidst the tourist trail snaking alongside the southern coastline of the gorgeous island. Straddled by surrounding towns of Mirissa and Dikkwella, the area around Madiha boasts amazing beaches, a thoroughly relaxed atmosphere, and the most unforgettable hostel experience on the whole damn island - The Doctor’s house.

To get to the Doctor’s house you’ll need to catch a bus, either from Mirissa or Matara. It’s about $2 USD from either, and you’ll want to be getting off at the Walgama bus stop. Alternatively, you could catch the train to Matara, which is about 2.5 km away from the Doctor’s House and catch a tuk-tuk from there.

SERVICES

• Private and dorm rooms (mixed 4 bed dorm and a mixed 6 bed dorm)

• Surfboard hire

• Fully stocked bar and restaurant on site

• Storage lockers

• Wifi (fairly good by Sri Lankan standards)

• Transport booking

• Ayurvedic spa on site

• Surf shop on site (The box)

• Free (filtered) water refill

So, what are you waiting for? Stop reading this and make a booking at the Doctor’s House immediately. I cannot recommend this place enough - the staff are great, the vibe perfect and the beers are as cold as the sunset is perfect. Go here to book yourself in and see for yourself why The Doctor’s House ranks as my favourite hostel in the world.