Lunuganga Estate
Bentota

The life’s work of Sri Lanka’s starred architect Geoffery Bawa, Lunuganga Estate is both moving and magical. An ideal place to experience Bawa’s vision at your leisure, Lunuganga offers the precious opportunity to admire the architectural flourishes, lake surroundings, and verdant gardens painstakingly created over 40 years.

There are nine individually furnished rooms and suites, some of which were previously closed off to guests. Preserved just as Bawa had designed them, each room is suited to the needs of the visitor: the Gallery Studio is ideal for Honeymooners while the treetop Glass House is perfect for those who love nature. Families can also book all three rooms of No. 5 at Lunuganga, the 55-year-old former residence of Ena de Silva, a famous batik artist and friend of Bawa. The restaurant, with a mesmerising view of the Dedduwa lake, serves some of the most delicious cusisine of the island along with contemporary Asian fusion dishes.

Bawa described Lunuganga as ‘a place of continued varied sensations,’ and indeed it is, a destination in itself. Informative and enjoyable garden tours are included in stays so you can experience the craft and love that was poured into creating this iconic country house. As Bentota is known as Sri Lanka’s water sports capital, you can also enjoy jet skiing and wind surfing, and boat trips on the Madu Ganga river estuary with a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. 

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson