Sri Lanka Holidays

Geoffrey Bawa Hotels

"We have a marvelous tradition of building in this country that has got lost. It got lost because people followed outside influences over their own good instincts. They never built right "through" the landscape.. You must "run" with the site; after all, you don't want to push nature out with the building"

Geoffrey Bawa (1919-2003)

Kandalama hotel, Dambulla, Cultural Triangle

The first of its kind in Asia
Five star eco friendly resort hotel. One of the elitist top nine hotels worldwide-CNN, American Express, Taylor Nelson Sofres.

Green Globe 21 certification
A project that enables the eco-traveller to get close to nature without compromise is the five star Kandalama hotel, the first of buildings of its kind in Asia to be awarded Green Globe 21 certification. Located on a border of a vast primeval forest, its design gives centre stage to nature. Rocks, caves & even cascades of rain water add charm to its corridors, & forest trees brush against galleries & room windows, while flowering woodland creepers curtain balconies & the roofs are terraces of wild grass. Resort style complex with excellent cuisine & full facilities, 3 pools including one of the most spectacularly sited swimming pools in the world with crystal clear water. The filtration system is based on ancient Sri Lankan technology.

Positioning of the hotel
Kandalama is perfectly positioned where the mountains descend to the dry plains, enabling the visitor to enjoy a wide variety of Sri Lanka's unspoilt nature. Vast protected forest gives way to tea & spice plantations, the nearest Wildlife Park is rich in mammals, reptiles & birdlife; & ancient rock formations & archaeological sites are all within a comfortable day's viewing.

Location amidst World heritage sites
Kanadalama is ideal for archaeological enthusiasts, historians & cultivated-cultured culture-vultures too. Several World Heritage Sites are just a short drive away; The Lion Rock Citadel (Sigiriya), the sacred pilgrimage site of Golden Dambulla Rock Temple, Anuradhapura the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy the Royal City, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka with its rich traditions of arts & crafts, music & dance.

Recreational activities
Swimming in three unique swimming pools set in natural surroundings, ambling through the gardens & along the forest trails, Ayurvedic health care, indoor games, tennis courts, horse riding, canoe rides, elephant back trekking, nature trails, cycling, nature photography, botanical studies & bird watching

Bird watching
Bird watching at Kandalama is a bountiful experience with more than 165 species living in the varied environment of three bird watching trails.

Commitment to environment by Kandalama Hotel
First hotel in the world to be awarded "LEED" (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification by the United States Green Building Council
First hotel in Sri Lanka to win the PATA Green Leaf Gold Award for environmental education
First hotel in the world to be awarded the "Thomsons" Gold Award for environmental commitment
Winner of the SAGA Good Food Award for five consecutive years
Winner of the PATWA (Pacific Asia Travel Writer's Association) Green Tourism Award
Winner of the "INTAC-SATTE HERITAGE AWARD" for heritage sensitive responsible tourism

Bentota Bay Beach Resort

Club Villa, Bentota
Serene resort designed by Geoffrey Bawa is set in a wonderfully tranquil location next to the beach. The fifteen rooms are discreetly spaced out around several colonial style buildings. Trees & artworks are nicely placed about the yard. There's a small swimming pool & an attractive restaurant.

Serendib, Bentota
Geoffrey Bawa designed resort is located in a tranquil setting with great charm. The brightly furnished a/c rooms are with private balconies & hot water.

Villa Mohotti, Bentota
Gorgeous 1880s colonial mansion, with sensitive extensions designed by Geoffrey Bawa in the 1970s. Rooms are widely spread out to provide plenty of privacy & elegantly furnished with antique wooden furniture amidst lots of pure white surfaces. The beautiful garden runs all the way down to the beach. There's a small swimming pool & tranquil restaurant.

Kalutara Beach

Blue Waters, Kalutara
Geoffrey Bawa designed serene hotel is set around a superb pool & beautifully screened by a grove of coconut palms. The attractive rooms have a/c, minibar, satellite TV, safe & sea-facing balconies; other facilities include a beauty salon, tennis & squash courts, three bars & a night club.

Kani, Kalutara
Geoffrey Bawa designed resort hotel is in an excellent location on a narrow spit of land between the ocean & the Kalutara lagoon, with panoramic views over the town to one side & Indian Ocean to the other side. Rooms are elegantly furnished in colonial style. Among the diversions are spa, tennis courts, dinner cruises, water skiing, sailing, canoeing in the lagoon.

VOC Galle Dutch Fort

The Lighthouse, Galle
Geoffrey Bawa designed hotel "The Light house" is one of Sri Lanka's finest hotels. Perched on a rather wild stretch of coast in an elegantly understated, slightly Tuscan-looking ochre building. The sixty rooms are masterpieces of interior design, complete with all modcons, & there are plenty of facilities, including two fine swimming pools, a gym, squash court, beauty salon & attractive Ayurveda centre.

Beruwala Bay Beach

Neptune, Beruwala
Geoffrey Bawa designed Hotel Neptune is the most attractive hotel in Beruwala. The resort hotel with elegant, rather Andalucian-looking white buildings enclosing neat gardens has a large T-shaped swimming pool, attractive public areas & lot of facilities, including an ayurveda centre, beauty salon, mini-shopping arcade & four bars. Rooms are equipped with all mod cons.

Negambo

Royal Oceanic, Negambo
Geoffrey Bawa designed Negambo's most stylish resort is set in nicely landscaped grounds & with an attractive pool. Spacious rooms with private balconies & mod cons.

Ahungalla

Triton, Ahungalla
Triton is a vast hotel designed by Geoffrey Bawa. The hotel sprawls along a considerable section of the pristine beach of Ahungalla. The vast hotel is luxurious yet intimate with attractive landscaping. Rooms are vibrant while the main swimming pool is enormous.