The River House Balapitiya: Savour Tranquility and Space

Balaptiya. A coastal town renowned for the idyllic shores of the Madhu Estuary.  It was my second visit to the town, but the first escapade to a secluded villa with hints of authentic South Asian style surrounded by serene lush greenery and the glistening river.

We arrived at The River House, Balapitiya at 7pm and were given a refreshing welcome by the warm and friendly staff with a fresh watermelon juice.

The River House, provides a sense of poetry when you lounge in the cosy living room and five splendid and spacious suites named after the five rivers Kala, Kirindha, Walawe, Menik and Ghin.

My room (Ghin) was spacious and airy with tasteful furnishing complemented by a ‘Handun’ fragrance just like the rest of the rooms, featuring warm and bright tones, wooden floors and butch yet stylish furniture.

The spacious bathroom with an opening to an outdoor Jacuzzi was my favourite feature. I spent most of my holiday in there with scintillating jazz playing off my phone. Blissful !

The ‘Kirindha’ room was bright and tastefully decorated with a unique feature of room service being just a bell ring away. The opening in the room ensures personalised prompt service all day and night.

The hotel boasts of 7 acres of lush gardens and an isolated swimming pool and endless views of the river that gave us the peaceful seclusion we craved for; it’s perfect for a group of friends to simply sip on a beverage and spicy bites while enjoying the river view, in the living area.

Indulgences at The River House

We indulged in a fusion dinner, and my favourite was the creamy Crab Curry complemented by Yellow Rice and Homemade Mango Chutney. Definitely a MUST TRY.

The hotel offers both Sri Lankan and Continental breakfast. If you are up for a traditional breakfast you could indulge in the generous servings of Pol Rotti, String Hoppers, Kiribath and accompaniments including a red spicy Chicken Curry, Dhal and Pol Sambol. Splendid Flavours!

BBQ Prawns with Cheese and Fries was my pick from the a la carte menu which I thought was average but the Pork Ribs dipped in BBQ sauce were flavourful.

Activities

If you’re up for some water adventure, the hotel buzzes with activities including a two hour boat ride and free canoeing. If you’re on a romantic getaway, it’s a perfect way to build up a healthy appetite for a scrumptious meal in a warm evening.

I enjoyed the fresh juices including watermelon, mango and ‘Veralu’ served throughout the vacation. It makes perfect sense to walk around with a fresh juice, grab a book and lounge on the hidden bench set enchantingly placed by a wide lawn. I could just lounge there and not move for days.

Service

Friendly efficient staff members including ‘Liyanage’ the friendly, welcoming and obliging steward ensured operations ran smoothly and our holiday was hassle-free.

To Enjoy Together

·         Dip in the pool

·         Cuddle on the hammock by the pool

·         Canoeing

·         Long hours in the jacuzzi

·         A candlelit dinner

Tranquil setting, splendid jacuzzi, endless views and excellent service; I definitely made a good choice!

How to Book:

The River House Balapitiya

T: 01157569500

E: [email protected]

Text by Keshiya Leitch