The Wallawwa in Nogombo is an old colonial manor house with beautifully furnished rooms. Set in a magnificent garden, this old Sri Lankan 'manor house' dates back two hundred years. Surrounded by neatly manicured lawns and trees that provide the shade and cool breeze during the sweltering Sri Lankan summer, The Wallawwa gives a feeling of staying in a luxurious house. Indeed, the property was once occupied by the Head Chieftain of Galle which gives meaning to the name “Wallawwa”.
The Wallawwa building has just 17 rooms and suites. All rooms are located on the ground floor with Balinese four poster beds, exceptionally comfortable bedding and modern amenities you'd expect from a world class boutique hotel. Terrazzo lined walk in wet rooms boast rain showers. Double wash basins are hewn out of massive lumps of granite and fittings are of European standard. All rooms have a small garden area complete with day bed at the back, great for relaxing.
Located close to the Dambulla, Kandy & Galle highways, and just 20-min from the airport, the Wallawwa forms either the beginning or end of a Sri Lanka journey. But this private luxury hideaway, holds its own with regard to comfort and natural sites in its surrounds. In Sinhala the term “Wallawwa” is used to express the aristocracy and the position they occupy in connections to the local kings or colonial masters. Before you leave, you’ll feel pity close to receiving that honour.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBar/PubBusiness CentreChildcare ServicesCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenLibraryMeeting/Conference FacilitiesMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSalonSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableStay The Wallawwa resort is single storey building with tiled roofing, as it used to be when it was a 'manor house'. Now lovingly and sensitively restored it is a 17-room boutique hotel. The front of the building is original whilst the bedrooms, set around a courtyard, are all new. All rooms, located on the ground floor open into a courtyard and come with King size Balinese four poster double or twin beds. Terrazzo lined en-suite wet room with rain shower and basin.
The spacious Garden Suites are almost double the size of rooms. While Family Suites and the exclusive Mountbatten Suite have 2 bedrooms, a large living room with sofa. They come with one King size Balinese four poster double or 2 Queen size beds. Both of these suites open onto a private garden with comfortable seating area, the latter being much larger than the Family Suite.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at The Wallawwa. There is a family suite available and restaurant have children's menu. Babysitting service can be arranged, if requested.
Dine Breakfast at The Wallawwa is mostly in the veranda overlooking a lovely garden set within the 3-acre estate. Try the egg hopper, with its subtle coconut milk fragrance and ever so delicate batter. The Wallawwa restaurant is probably the highlight of the hotel. Meals are a mix of European and local dishes but don’t miss the Sri Lankan curry and rice. The pork belly and the Malaysian crab in spicy curry sauce are both amazing! There is good range of wine list, and not too expensive for Sri Lanka.
Relax The Wallawwa has a 16-metre pool surrounded by lush foliage, discreetly walled by shrubbery for privacy. Across, is a beautiful "natural" pond with some herons, kingfishers, other birds and butterflies. If you are still within the price, try to visit the Z Spa, which provides excellent massages, followed by a relaxing herbal tea whilst reclining and looking across a small pond in the waiting area. There is an interesting library with a selection of books on Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Fiction.
Experience The Wallawwa resort can arrange excursions to the fish markets of Negombo, just 30 minutes away, or into Colombo city centre for shopping and visiting cultural sites & museums. The Wallawwa is just 2 hours 45 minutes from Kandy & Dambulla, thus making it possible to visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage and the sights of Kandy or Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temples in a day.
Location The Wallawwa is located near the town of Kotugoda. The Wallawwa is strategically located close to the Dambulla, Kandy and Galle highways and is just 15 minutes from Sri Lanka’s only international airport and approximately 45-60 minutes from the hustle and bustle of central Colombo. The beaches of Negombo are 30 minutes away.
Getting There Sri Lankan Airlines flies twice daily from Heathrow to Colombo. . It takes 20-minutes to drive from the airport to The Wallawwa.
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. June is a good time to visit the eastern port of Trincomalee, where blue and sperm whales can be observed. Rains may also occur between September and November.
Destination
West & South, Sri Lanka
Featured
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."
