Geoffrey Bawa is Sri Lanka’s most prolific and influential architect, having designed many buildings which blend with their national environment and interconnect outside spaces with the inside. Amongst his range of buildings, both domestic and municipal, he designed a prolific number of hotels and houses that have been converted into hotels throughout Sri Lanka. Expressions Holidays can arrange for you to visit and stay at these hotels (and visit Bawa's other buildings too) on their own or as part of a tailor-made touring holiday. Most of our tours of Sri Lanka with chauffeur-guide include some stays in Bawa's hotels. We also offer a tour of Geoffrey Bawa’s work which includes visits to hotels designed by Bawa including Heritance Kandalama, Jetwing Lighthouse, Club Villa and Heritance Ahungalla but we can also tailor-make a tour for you, with a focus solely on his hotels and buildings, including as many as you want.
Geoffrey Bawa’s hotels on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast
There are small villa-style hotels and larger hotels on the coast and nearby.
Lunuganga, Bentota
Lunuganga offers a rare opportunity to stay on the country estate of Geoffrey Bawa. Created in 1947, Lunuganga launched Bawa’s career and became his lifetime architectural experiment. It is now open to the public to stay in one of the bedrooms or just visit the gardens. Lunuganga should considered a living art gallery and study in design rather than having the facilities of a hotel.
Club Villa, Bentota
Just metres from the beach, the unpretentious Club Villa was redesigned by Bawa in 1980. This 19th century Dutch colonial villa blends traditional design with post-modern touches. Dutch colonial furniture and flashes of rich jewel colours decorate the simple, yet spacious rooms. Club Villa encourages its guests to relax and treat it like home.
Paradise Road - The Villa Bentota, Bentota
Just yards from stunning South Bentota Beach and next door to Club Villa, the Villa Bentota is a restored 1880s Dutch ancestral home, converted by Bawa into Sri Lanka’s first boutique hotel and retaining many of his signature designs. Elegant courtyards join airy living spaces and individually designed bedrooms and suites.
Heritance Ahungalla, Ahungalla
At the entrance of this hotel, your eyes are drawn across tranquil water pools and gracious columns to the Indian Ocean. This luxury resort hotel was designed by Geoffrey Bawa and its most stunning feature is the aquamarine infinity pool which appears to drop right into the ocean.
Geoffrey Bawa’s hotels on Sri Lanka’s south coast
Smaller and larger hotels on the coast.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle
Jetwing Lighthouse is an architectural triumph of Geoffrey Bawa with its minimalist and elegant designs which are dramatic and entirely captivating. A magnificent spiral staircase rises around the rotunda of the building in brass and copper, recalling ancient local history. For unique décor and extra space upgrade to one of three themed Suites, revealing Bawa’s take on Arabic, Chinese or Dutch style.
The Last House, Tangalle
The Last House is a quaint and colourful beachside hotel which oozes charm. This was the last residential property to be designed by Bawa and can now be rented exclusively for 14 guests or as individual guestrooms. At the property's heart is an interior garden with outdoor pool, while under cover yet still in the open air is a single dining table where guests can enjoy communal dinners.
Geoffrey Bawa’s hotels on Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
Artfully-designed country hotels that blend into the landscape.
Heritance Kandalama, near Dambulla
A masterpiece of modern resort luxury, this award-winning eco resort blends seamlessly into the natural environment. The hotel is built between two rocks and appears to be a natural extension of the mountainside. Vegetation grows along the walls, bats swoop in and out of open corridors and monkeys play on the branches outside your balcony. This hotel is perfectly located for exploring the Cultural Triangle and includes a wonderful spa and plenty of activities.
Our holidays to Geoffrey Bawa hotels in Sri Lanka include
● Travel arrangements with flights and appropriate transfers● Flexible durations and multi-centre stays
● Tailor-made tours accompanied by driver-guide
● Accommodation in personally-selected 4-or 5-star hotels
● Visits to Geoffrey Bawa hotels, villas and buildings
Included in all our holidays
● Concierge service● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday
● Full financial protection with our ATOL (3076) for all holidays including a flight and our ABTOT for all non-air holidays
