Understated elegance in natural surroundings
CLUB VILLA Bentota
NESTLED AMIDST a coconut plantation just metres from the beach , the unpretentious Club Villa encourages its guests to relax and treat it like home . Re-designed in 1980 by renowned architect , Geoffrey Bawa , this 19th century Dutch colonial villa blends traditional period design with post-modern touches . As you wander through the discreet entrance to Club Villa and through the leafy corridors , decorated with stone columns and shallow pools filled with jumping catfish , a unique collection of colonial antique pieces sits harmoniously alongside modern art . The tropical walkways open onto a huge lawn dotted with mudilla trees and hammocks draped between palms . Occasionally , a Colombo-Galle train rattles by at the end of the garden , but does not spoil the sense of tranquillity of the villa ’ s grounds . Beyond the railway line and a row of vegetation , lies a long stretch of sandy beach , presenting the perfect setting for watching the sun dip into the Indian Ocean . The menu offers a fusion of European specialities and traditional Sri Lankan cuisine , using fresh seafood and local spices , especially romantic when served by candlelight in the tropical gardens . The 17 rooms of Club Villa scattered around the grounds are simple and spacious , with Dutch colonial furniture and flashes of rich jewel colours from the hand-woven batiks and murals hung on white-washed walls . Guests at Club Villa can venture out on local excursions to a mask-making factory or a turtle hatchery , try scuba diving or water sports , or simply relax by the pool and enjoy the laid-back luxury of doing nothing at all .
Hotel facts
Location About 2km south of the main beach resort hotels of Bentota , 65km / 1.5 hours drive south of Colombo . Distance from airport 95km , about 3 hours drive away . Local interest Turtle Hatchery , Brief Garden , Galapita Vihara Temple .
Activities nearby Watersports at Bentota River , including waterskiing and jet skiing , scuba diving ; Fishing ; River tours . Nearest shops and restaurant In the Bentota area there are numerous hotels with restaurants and some tourist shops . There are general shops in Aluthgama town . Category Luxury ( suite ). Comfortable ( rooms ).
Exterior of the Club Villa
The swimming pool at Club Villa
Facilities at the hotel
Restaurant , Bar , Swimming pool , Library with PC / internet connection , Table tennis and board games , Massage facilities , Weddings arranged .
Accommodation
Number of rooms 16 rooms and 1 suite . All with air-conditioning , En suite shower room , and
CLUB VILLA EXH952 Expressions Holidays includes scheduled flights with Sri Lankan London to Colombo return in economy , private car transfers , dinner , bed and breakfast based on two people sharing a double or twin room .
Price guide per person based on sharing a Standard room . 7 nights from about £ 1,695 low season £ 1,890 high season
These prices are a guide only and do not take into account any special offers or peak season supplements . The best possible price will be put together for you at the time of enquiry .
Veranda , balcony , or bay window . Standard Room . Deluxe Room . Two of the deluxe bedrooms are split-level . Club Suite . At ground level in the garden building . It has a bedroom with large double bed , separate living area and a patio facing the garden .
A rare opportunity to stay on the country estate of a famous architect
LUNUGANGA Bentota
A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY ESTATE , a short distance inland from the coast , Lunuganga sits amongst picturesque landscaped gardens . Converted in 1947 from a rubber and cinnamon plantation , Lunuganga launched Geoffrey Bawa ’ s career and became his lifetime architectural experiment . Now administered by the Geoffrey Bawa Trust , it is now open to the public , to stay in one of the bedrooms or just visit the gardens . Offering a rare opportunity to stay in a living museum , you may enjoy the artistic surroundings of the Guest Room where Bawa lived , the romantic Glass Room , the split-level Studio , Gate House , or Cinnamon Hill House , each one quirky and unique . Sri Lankan and western-style meals are enjoyed on the terrace or in the dining room of the main house . Days can be spent wandering around the gardens , lake , and ponds . Wonderful views appear at every turn as you meander past rice paddies , rubber , ficus , and frangipani trees . Guests need to take care as Lunuganga has been preserved as it was left , so potentially hazardous designs , such as the open ledge with a 6ft drop in the Studio and the slippery , mossy paths , have been left as they are . Lunuganga should be seen as a living art gallery and study in design , rather than a hotel . There is no liquor licence but guests can bring alcoholic beverages to be served at table with no corkage charge .
Hotel facts
Location 10km from Bentota , 76km from Colombo . Distance from airport About 3 hours drive away . Local interest Dedduwa lake and the islands of Appaladuwa and Honduwa ; Brief Garden ; Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery ; Aluthgama market ; three ancient temples . Activities nearby Water sports and scuba-diving can be arranged at Bentota . Child policy The only accommodation that is suitable for families with children is at Cinnamon Hill bungalow . Children under 12 are not encouraged . Category Comfortable .
Facilities at the hotel
Sri Lankan home cooking and international menu ( many scenic dining locations are available ), Landscaped gardens and tropical forest , Lakefront views , Outdoor Terraces , Main house , sitting and dining areas , small team of staff , Geoffrey Bawa books , information , and memorabilia .
The front veranda at Lunuganga
Interior of Lunuganga
Accommodation
Number of rooms 6 . All with air-conditioning , Double bed , Individual design , décor and furnishings , with artefacts and curios , en-suite bathroom . Glass Room . Bedroom ( with queen size double bed ) and shower room . Popular with honeymooners . Gate House Suite . One-bedroom suite on the upper floor of the Gate House . Bathroom with bath and shower .
LUNUNGANGA EXH975 Expressions Holidays includes scheduled flights with Sri Lankan London to Colombo return in economy , private car transfers , bed and breakfast based on two people sharing a double or twin room .
This hotel is usually included as part of a touring holiday . Prices are available on request .
Cinnamon Hill House . Bungalow with sitting area and two double-bedded bedrooms with en suite bathrooms . There is a small kitchen where staff can prepare meals to serve on the covered veranda . Guest Room in Main house . Bedroom with large double bed , en suite bathroom and small private sitting area overlooking a walled courtyard . Studio Gallery . Split-level with double bed and bathroom on the upper level . Narrow steps down to sitting room .
FOR EXPERT ADVICE AND TO MAKE A RESERVATION CALL OUR TRAVEL CONSULTANTS ON 01392 441224 71