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 The house and
gardens at Lunuganga, Bentota, were lovingly created over
several decades by the world renowned architect, Geoffrey Bawa,
as his vision of a tropical garden idyll. The Italian inspired
garden with spectacular views over lakes and tropical jungle
together with a simply designed plantation house are one of the
lasting legacies of Asia's most famous architect.
Guests can now share in Bawa’s vision and can stay in one of 6
en-suite bedrooms available in the house, the studio or on
Cinnamon Hill, or rent the whole property in its entirety.
It is perhaps the most magical garden retreat in the world.
Lunuganga opens each year from 15 November to 30th April
Location
Lunuganga is
located 5km inland from Bentota on Lake Dedduwa on Sri Lanka’s
west coast.
Set on a peninsula overlooking the lake, Lunuganga is a 2 ¼ hour
drive from Colombo’s International Airport or, for those guests
coming from the centre of the city of Colombo or from the
southern seaside town of Galle, it is a 1 ½ hour drive.
Lunuganga is just 10 minutes from the nearest beach and local
village.
Getting Here
Our team can
arrange transfers for you by either chauffer driven air
conditioned vehicles, sea plane, steam train or helicopter.
Rather than
travelling by road why not transfer directly from your
international flight onto Sri Lankan Airlines Air Taxi and
arrive in Bentota in just 20 minutes. Bentota airport is only a
10 minute drive from Lunuganga.
It is the ideal way to travel in style, comfort and luxury at an
affordable price.
The Garden
The 25 acres of
garden at Lunuganga is the creation of one man’s vision which,
over 40 years, was nurtured into a reality. After purchasing an
abandoned rubber estate in 1948, Geoffrey Bawa created this
tropical garden idyll. The Italian inspired gardens, with
spectacular views over the lake and tropical jungle, has been
transformed into a series of outdoor rooms creating a huge
feeling of space with vistas that have been carefully chosen to
emphasize their beauty with points of architecture and art; from
entrances, pavilions, broad walks to a multitude of courtyards
and pools.
Guests at Lunuganga have the privilege of wandering the gardens
aimlessly, picnicking in one of many romantic and private
pockets or sitting reading, writing or painting in such an
inspiring environment.
During the months of November to April, the gardens are not open
to the public.
Cuisine
At Lunuganga our
chefs offer contemporary gourmet cuisine with a focus on the
highest quality ingredients fresh from the local markets each
day.
The 3-course
dinner menu changes daily. The cuisine is predominantly seafood
with strong Asian & Mediterranean influences. Our chefs are
equally at home making some of the most delicious & innovative
Sri Lankan curries, string hoppers and sambals.
For those wanting
a hearty start to the day, there is choice of an English or Sri
Lankan breakfast. 2 course delicious lunches & the finest cream
teas with freshly baked scones are also served throughout the
day.
Meals can be taken
in one of many magical locations on the estate.
Outsides guests are welcome to dine, however bookings must be
made in advance.
Accommodation
Within the
tropical garden paradise sits Bawa’s simply designed 4-bedroom
plantation house - a collection of courtyards, verandahs and
loggias create a haven of peace and inspiration. All 4 suites
are individual and beautifully decorated to provide a relaxing
and memorable environment for guests. In addition to the
plantation house, there is a wonderful 2 bedroom studio, set at
the edge of a cinnamon plantation which was originally planted
in the eighteenth century, and high on the hill overlooking the
lake to the south thus giving guests the ultimate in privacy.
For those wanting an exclusive holiday, Lunuganga can also be
rented in its entirety providing complete solitude for guests.
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The
Guest Room (Double en-suite)
Located in the main house
the guest room is filled with paintings, antique Dutch
furniture and objects d’art giving it the charm and comfort of
a country estate. This double en-suite room and the bathroom
alone paints a perfect picture of Geoffrey Bawa’s
eccentricities. The Guest room gives you a special sense of
privacy and seclusion with a small outdoor courtyard.
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The
Gallery / Studio (Double en-suite)
Originally a cow shed used
to house farm animals, the studio was converted over 20 years
ago into Geoffrey Bawa’s private art gallery filled with
sculpture, artifacts and art from around the world. This large
suite boasts both an outdoor private courtyard surrounded by
ochre coloured walls as well as a large private sitting room.
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The
Glass Room (Double
en-suite)
A magical room beaming with sunlight and vistas –
set on the upper level over the entrance loggia, the Glass
Room has over the years been the home of many artists in
residence at Lunuganga. A perfect room to read, write or
simply relax in.
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The
Donald Friend Room (Double en-suite)
Once the gate house, the
upper floor has now been converted into a glorious room with
alcove windows looking out into the primeval jungle. Named
after the famous Australian artist Donald Friend who was a
frequent visitor to Lunuganga.
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The
Cottage at Cinnamon Hill (2 double en-suite bedrooms, indoor &
outdoor living, butler service)
This is one of the many
additions to the original house that Geoffrey Bawa designed.
Named after an ancient plantation of cinnamon trees, this 2
bedroom cottage has magnificent views over the Dedduwa lake
and rice fields. Set away from the main house, Cinnamon Hill
provides guests with the ultimate in privacy and serenity with
its own indoor and outdoor living areas and complete with its
own butler.
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