10 unique Bawa-designed rooms
Dining within the gardens
Daily guided garden tours
Lunuganga Country Estate is an intimate boutique hotel and the former country retreat of Geoffrey Bawa, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated architects. Set beside Dedduwa Lake in the peaceful countryside near Bentota, the estate offers a rare opportunity to experience Bawa’s architectural legacy within the landscape he personally created. Over more than forty years, he transformed an abandoned rubber plantation into an expressive composition in which buildings, courtyards, tropical vegetation and water views form one continuous environment.
The 15-acre estate encompasses sculpted lawns, lily ponds, pavilions, secluded paths, courtyards, artworks and carefully framed views of the lake and surrounding jungle. Its architecture demonstrates Bawa’s distinctive approach to connecting indoor and outdoor living. Original artworks, period furniture, the architect’s personal library and preserved decorative elements give Lunuganga the atmosphere of a private home rather than a conventional resort.
Accommodation consists of ten individually designed rooms and suites distributed among independent buildings across the estate. Guests can stay in Geoffrey Bawa’s former bedroom, a glass-walled pavilion among mature trees, a secluded former art studio or one of the private rooms on Cinnamon Hill. The property also incorporates No. 5 Lunuganga, the relocated and carefully reconstructed former home of batik artist Ena de Silva, which can be reserved in its entirety as a three-bedroom villa.
An infinity pool overlooking the lake, daily guided garden tours, yoga, cooking demonstrations, boat rides and cultural excursions complete the experience. Dining combines Sri Lankan, international and contemporary Asian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and atmospheric settings throughout the gardens.
The hotel has ten distinctive rooms and suites positioned in different areas of the 15-acre estate. Each preserves Geoffrey Bawa’s original architectural footprint while incorporating modern comforts. Interiors feature original artworks, antiques, colonial-era furniture, timber ceilings and floors, stone surfaces, whitewashed walls and generous openings that connect the rooms with the surrounding gardens. Layouts and atmosphere vary considerably between categories. Guests may choose the architect’s former bedroom with his personal library and a tropical plunge pool, a glass-walled room among mature trees, a former art gallery, accommodation inside the main house or secluded rooms on Cinnamon Hill. No. 5 Lunuganga occupies a separate part of the estate and offers three bedrooms, a central open courtyard and private dining facilities when reserved as a complete villa.
Geoffrey Bawa’s former bedroom is located in the Main House and retains the architect’s personal library, original artworks and antique pieces. The suite includes a spacious living area, private courtyard and an ensuite bathroom connected to an outdoor tropical plunge pool.
• Size: 56 m²
• Bed: queen-size
• Occupancy: 2 guests
• View: private courtyard
• Features: private plunge pool, living area and bathtub
This spacious Main House studio formerly served as Geoffrey Bawa’s guest room. Antique and contemporary furnishings surround a king-size bed, while a completely private courtyard provides a secluded outdoor space. The bathroom has a separate shower and large porcelain bathtub, with windows framing views of palms.
• Size: 40 m²
• Bed: king-size
• Occupancy: 2 guests
• View: palms and private courtyard
• Features: bathtub, separate shower and private courtyard
Glass House is an unusual glass-walled room positioned above a portico among mature trees, approximately 50 metres from the Main House. The light-filled interior features a vaulted timber ceiling, four-poster queen-size bed, colonial-era planter’s chairs and Dutch-period antiques. Its ensuite bathroom is fitted with a shower.
• Size: 30 m²
• Bed: four-poster queen-size
• Occupancy: 2 guests
• View: mature trees and estate surroundings
• Features: glass walls, sitting area and shower
This secluded room occupies a freestanding two-bedroom building at the top of Cinnamon Hill. Its interior combines contemporary comforts with artistic details, while a shared outdoor veranda connects it with Cinnamon Hill 2. The room is closest to the swimming pool and furthest from the Main House and restaurant. Its bathroom includes a secluded open-air bathing area.
• Size: 30 m²
• Bed: four-poster king-size
• Occupancy: 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child
• Location: top of Cinnamon Hill
• Features: shared veranda, open-air bathroom and pool access
The hotel is located in Dedduwa beside the lake, approximately a 10-minute drive from Bentota Beach. The journey from Colombo or the international airport takes about 1.5 hours; guests may also travel by coastal train or arrive by seaplane at Bentota Lagoon. Galle is around one hour away, while Kandy is approximately 4.5 hours by road.
Travel company "YANA LUXURY"