Wallawwa
Negombo

Wallawwa is a luxurious country house retreat just 15 minutes from Colombo Airport, making it the perfect stopover at the beginning or end of a Sri Lankan journey. Hidden away behind high walls and a canopy of tropical trees, this award-winning boutique hotel feels more like a private estate than an airport hotel. From the moment you step inside, the bustle of the outside is replaced with birdsong, rustling palms and the soothing atmosphere of a lovingly restored manor house.

The property itself is a historic 18th-century wallawwa, the Sinhalese word for a traditional manor, reimagined with style and sensitivity. Designed around a central courtyard and pool, the house unfolds in a series of wide verandas, colonnaded walkways and shaded corners. The interiors blend classic colonial architecture with modern design, creating an ambience that is both elegant and laid-back. Outside, two acres of 200-year-old gardens provide a lush backdrop of tropical greenery, filled with frangipani, heliconia and towering trees that filter the Sri Lankan light.

The 18 rooms and suites are spacious, with soaring ceilings and large four-poster beds draped in crisp white linens. Antique detailing, vintage touches and retro-chic décor are paired with bold prints and stylish textiles, striking the perfect balance between old-world romance and modern ease. There are four categories to choose from, Wallawwa Bedrooms, Garden Suites, Family Suites and the Mountbatten Suite, named after Lord Mountbatten, who once stayed in the house. Whichever you choose, you’ll find thoughtful touches throughout, from rain showers and oversized bathtubs to cosy seating areas and private terraces.

The Verandah, the hotel’s restaurant, looks out across the gardens and serves imaginative Asian fusion cuisine alongside Sri Lankan favourites and lighter international dishes. Ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible, with much of the produce from the kitchen garden. Dining is flexible and informal, and meals can be tailored to your tastes and enjoyed wherever you wish, in the gardens, by the pool or in the privacy of your suite.

For those looking to unwind, the Z Spa is a welcome sanctuary. With its peaceful treatment rooms and expert therapists, it offers a menu of Asian-inspired massages, scrubs and wraps, designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. 

While many guests are tempted never to leave the gardens, Wallawwa also makes an excellent base for exploring nearby Negombo. Just a short drive away, the town offers an intriguing mix of history and culture, from its grand Catholic churches and Dutch fort to its bustling fish markets and lagoon. Take a boat trip through the mangrove-fringed waterways or explore the network of old Dutch canals by kayak for a glimpse into local life. Colombo is also within easy reach, with its cosmopolitan mix of high-end shopping, contemporary art galleries and some of the island’s most celebrated dining spots. For those at the end of their trip, it’s the perfect chance to indulge in a little retail therapy before heading back to the tranquillity of Wallawwa.

Wallawwa is part of the celebrated Teardrop Hotels collection, a small family of boutique properties across Sri Lanka that transform historic tea estates, colonial buildings and heritage homes into intimate, design-led retreats. Guests who fall in love with Wallawwa’s understated luxury might also like to journey inland to Camellia Hills, a contemporary tea planter’s bungalow in the heart of the hill country, or Nine Skies, a former tea estate manager’s bungalow overlooking Ella’s lush valleys. Along the south coast, Teardrop’s seaside properties include Fort Bazaar, a chic hotel within the walls of Galle Fort, and Kumu Beach, a stylish beachfront escape near Balapitiya.

A stay at Wallawwa is about slowing down and savouring the moment. Whether you’re beginning your Sri Lankan adventure or winding down at the end of it, the hotel offers a rare combination of convenience and serenity. Its historic charm, intimate scale and attentive service make it feel far removed from the usual airport hotels, while its lush gardens, elegant interiors and indulgent cuisine ensure you begin or end your trip in the most stylish and restorative way possible.

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus