‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ is a quote many hotels and accommodations should live by. For a luxurious boutique experience, keeping it simple and stylish has done the trick over the years.

We drove through a dark narrow path off the Minuwangoda Road, only to discover a stylish and lavish colonial mansion, about an hour from Colombo and a short jaunt to the BIA airport.

‘The Wallawwa’ is not your average airport transit hotel. It’s a resplendently stylish boutique manor which is completely secluded and sits in acres of beautifully lush gardens, affectionately known as a sanctuary of style and tranquility where the old is merged beautifully with the new.

The location of the hotel is perfect for travelers coming to Sri Lanka– it’s conveniently close to the airport, but so quiet you’d never know it.

Built over 200 years ago in the traditional “Dutch warehouse’ colonial design, the Wallawwa is the most ancient manor house in the area and was the ancestral home for many years of the village aristocrats.

Ruchira, a well-informed staff member at the hotel greeted us with a mixed fruit juice served in a shot glass and cool towels which instantly revived us, spelling the end of an exhausting week.

Our Garden Suite was simple, stylish and stunning – a comfortable large bed draped in soothing white linen, sitting area and a chic beanbag placed by the side of the bed (somewhere I couldn’t have ever got up from after a long day), Cable TV, a well-stocked book rack, mini fridge, a spacious bathroom and a private garden.

The room is beautifully designed with plenty of privacy and features modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi.  The rotary dial style bedside telephone was a surprise.

The 17 boutique bedrooms & suites, located around a courtyard pool in a new building carefully blended to the rear of the main house, have been designed to offer the weary traveller the very best blend in traditional and modern comforts.

The hotel has a few quiet and contemplative public areas, both inside and out, as well as a sociable front verandah where inspiring Asian fusion cuisine and a medley of cocktails and drinks are served. The Library and lounge area is an especially unique feature of the hotel . Books, Board Games and a cozy sitting area to help you catch up on some activity at the hotel. 

A tropical fruit garden is along the pipeline for the hotel , for an interesting experience for guests who could sit and relax by a luscious spread of pineapple and mango cultivation.

Pool & Spa

The stone-lined 16m pool is encircled by tropical trees and shrubs, and hidden out of sight of the hotel. There’s a shallow chill-out ledge and a grass and gravel terrace lined with cushioned loungers. According to Ruchira, a refreshing sorbet is served free of charge for guests who’d like to unwind at the poolside.

Ensure you book yourself at the hotel’s ‘Z’ Spa for a long week reviver. The coconut or sandalwood scrubs and sigh-inducing wraps work wonders for travel-weary bodies. A pleasant young lady Jen, walked us through the high quality treatments in a serene surrounding at the ’Z’ Spa.

Wallawwa Indulgences

A key strength of the hotel is its classy array of indulgences throughout the day. The restaurant with a view of the lush garden, serves a delectable infusion of cuisines including International and Asian .This striped-walled space is filled with smart rattan furniture that spills onto a frangipani-shaded terrace.

Meals are served between 6am – 10.30pm while for room service, the all-day menu is available 24/7, but for overnight orders when the kitchen’s closed, requests must be made the evening before.

Hotel bar A roving bar serves tipples on the veranda, in the rooms or in the gardens until 10.30pm or when the last guest shuffles off to sleep.

Dinner

I started off with dinner as it was late check-in and opted for rustic Crab Cakes served with chili & ginger dipping sauce

Verdict: It was the perfect starter with a good balance of spices & herbs and the sauce was a scintillating choice to complement it.

I opted for one of my all-time favourite meat dishes and the last time I had it was at a lavish restaurant in Sydney. A well done Australian Angus Rib-Eye Steak ! Yup, Big shoes to fill.