Lunuganga Estate in Sri Lanka is located along the Bentota River, south of the capital Colombo. Lunuganga was the country house of the legendary Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. After Bawa’s death, the private home went public as a charming six suite retreat offering some of the island’s finest vistas and elegant accommodations.
At the entrance of the Lunuganga estate, a wrought iron gate is opened to let us pass. And in the short drive to the main house we are transported from the present to the past – into the world of creativity and nature. Perhaps the greatest luxury of all, while travelling, is to be invited into somebody’s house. The joy of staying at Lunuganga, is that it’s like staying in someone’s home.
But this is no ordinary home. This is a stunningly beautiful and peaceful space with gardens of Geoffrey Bawa, the most influential Asian architects of his generation. He is the principal force behind what is today known globally as "tropical modernism". When he was 30 years old, he bought Lunuganga, or ‘Salt River’ and committed himself to converting the exhausted rubber plantation on which it stood into a magical landscape. It was a project that was to last for forty years, and the garden became among the most celebrated and beautiful in the world.
Amenities
Banquet FacilitiesBar/PubBusiness CentreConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenLibraryMeeting/Conference FacilitiesMultilingual StaffRestaurantWi-Fi AvailableStay Lunuganga Estate has only six cottages, each unique and completely different from the other. The Suites are preserved in, as close to the way they existed in the lifetime of the architect and full of an eclectic mixture of original antique, sometimes modern furniture and contemporary and traditional artworks. The public rooms include a sitting room and the Garden Room. In addition, there are several garden pavilions for relaxation which include the Roman Pavilion and the Blue Pavilion.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at the Lunuganga Estate, Bentota, but there are no specific facilities available. Babysitting can be arranged, on request.
Dine The Lunuganga Estate house speciality is Sri Lankan food serving recipes that were prepared during the life of Geoffrey Bawa. The aim is to provide an authentic experience of Sri Lankan home cooking. The menu changes daily, which includes both Sri Lankan and international cuisines. There are a variety of dining options available and breakfast can be served outdoors or in the suite.
Relax The Lunuganga Estate typically features magnificent terraces and pavilions and long hallways with wonderful views into the lush tropical gardens maintained by an army of gardeners. Fill your days with lovely strolls, watching birds or sitting under a shade, reading a book with a glass of chilled lime juice and soda on the side.
Experience The garden tour of Lunuganga Estate is a must. It focuses on Geoffrey Bawa’s reasoning behind his landscaping and architecture, like changing the actual entrance of the house back to front. The Plain of Jars, so named after the number of Ming Jars dotted around the garden and his favourite water garden connected to the Black Pavilion by a Broad Walk. Also, interesting is the sunrise riverboat tour. You may be guided through a carpet of pink lotus flowers, accompanied by the birdsongs and background chanting of monks in the nearby monastery.
One More Thing Though not officially a World Heritage Site, Lunuganga is indisputably part of the Sri Lanka’s heritage. If you have love and appreciation for art and architecture and wish to be surrounded by beautiful and lush tropical gardens, then stay at Lunuganga. This hidden sanctuary should be something you should do at least once in your life!
Location Lunuganga Estate in Sri Lanka is located along the Bentota River, south of the capital Colombo. It was the country house of Sri Lanka’s legendary architect, Geoffrey Bawa.
Getting There There are direct (10-hour 45-minute) flights to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo. Bentota is about 92 kilometres south of the airport on Sri Lanka’s west coast. There is a scheduled helicopter service operating between the BIA and Bentota that takes less than 30 minutes.
When to go The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December and April when it’s drier and the climate is cooler. It’s also the peak time for whale-watching in the south where blue and sperm whales can be seen. From May to August the Yala monsoon brings rain to the island’s southwestern coast and the cultural triangle. However, the hill country around Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains and Bandarawela remains cooler. Rains may also occur between September and November.
Destination
Beaches, Sri Lanka
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