In dappled sunshine under towering trees, The Wallawwa is not your typical Colombo airport hotel. Set in 200-year-old tropical gardens just 15-minutes from Sri Lanka’s main international gateway, the award-winning 18-bedroom country house hotel exudes style and serenity, with gourmet food, jungle pool and heavenly spa all carved out of an 18th century manor house. As an alternative to hotels in Negombo, The Wallawwa promises to start or end your Sri Lankan holiday in style.
The Wallawwa
The Wallawwa is conveniently located just 15-minutes’ drive from Colombo International Airport yet its lush setting is extremely tranquil, tucked into a quiet corner of Negombo’s rural hinterland. It takes just 30-minutes to reach Colombo and beach-blessed Negombo, a Catholic settlement famous for its fishing trade, its expansive lake and network of old Dutch canals.
- Restored colonial manor house siting on 3 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens
- Outdoor pool, a pampering spa and yoga pavilions
- 30-minute drive from the beaches and fish markets of Negombo
- Library
- High-class dining and roving bar to deliver drinks wherever the guests would like
- Vegetable garden
- Child-friendly
- Spacious rooms with wet rooms, with rain shower
The Wallawwa bedrooms offer guests a stylish room in which to relax in the luxurious four-poster beds. With an en suite terrazzo-lined wet room with a rain shower, and crisp, clean design, it is the perfect spot to recuperate after a flight, or savour your last night before flying home.
The light and spacious Garden Suite, with direct access to the lush gardens, are designed to see to every comfort. With a king-sized or twin four-poster beds, armchairs, day bed window seats, en suite wet-room and rain shower, and private seating on the garden veranda, guests have everything they need for a perfect stay in this secluded gem. With all modern amenities and thoughtful, clean design, peace is guaranteed.
With a beautiful garden view, the Family Suite promises each member of the family comfort and space to unwind. They comprise of a double Garden Suite with en suite wet room, and an interconnecting twin-bed Wallawwa Bedroom, with private bathroom and shower. With direct access to the garden and all modern amenities it is the perfect place for families to have a comfortable, luxurious stay.
Under the veranda and by the light of the pool is the exquisite dining experience of The Wallawwa. With à la carte menus full of Asian fusion dishes filled with flavour and made from the freshest ingredients, guests can dine on delights while looking out to the 200 year old tropical gardens. Open from 6.30am and serving food throughout the day, you will never go hungry with the mouthwatering feasts on offer. In-room dining is also available, and the chefs can cater to all dietary requirements with prior notice.
A roving bar serves fine wines and innovative cocktails on the veranda, in rooms or in the gardens until 10.30pm or when the last guest shuffles off to sleep
Explore the local city of Negombo and all its history with a local guide. Discover the Dutch fort and Negombo’s past lives with it, or see the bustling present as vendors barter at the lively fish market. Or just relax on one of Negombo’s many sandy beaches!
With The Wallawwa’s very own chefs, dive into traditional Sri Lankan cooking and learn how the beautiful flavours of the nation’s famous dishes come together. Using herbs and vegetables from the hotel’s own vegetable garden you can learn new techniques and historical methods that go into creating the famous Sri Lankan cuisine.
If you fancy getting lost in some of Sri Lanka’s extensive wildlife, take a boat trip in the Muthurajawela Wetlands and explore the natural beauty of the lagoon and the mangroves. With over 190 species of flora and plenty of wildlife it is the perfect way to see some of Sri Lanka’s many ecosystems.
Book yourself in to the hotel’s Z Spa for a jetlag reviver. The coconut or sandalwood scrubs and sigh-inducing wraps work wonders for travel-weary bodies.
The team at The Wallawwa strive to create a family feel, both for guests and staff. Nearly all staff are hired from the local area, and all staff are offered the opportunity for training and mentoring to help progress their career and position. Staff are also encouraged to get involved in the hotel’s community initiates and their charitable foundation CARE (Creating a Rewarding Experience) which support local causes. To date the foundation has helped provide medicine, food and reading glasses to low-income families, and has set up a program to help young people gain employment.
All ingredients that go into the cooking at The Wallawwa are locally sourced, even as local as the hotel’s very own extensive vegetable garden. Guests are welcome to explore the garden and see what the chefs are currently growing!
To eliminate single-use plastics, guests are given reusable water bottles in their rooms and all packaging is plastic-free
Families are very welcome at The Wallawwa!
Family Suite and connecting rooms are available, and a children’s menu is on offer