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The Wallawwa

Our rating

9/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Characterful, historic manor house
- Day trips to Colombo
- Close to Negombo beach
- Elephant sanctuary visits

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Overview

The Wallawwa is an elegant, historic manor house located in Kotoguda within easy reach of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. Combining old world charm with contemporary touches, the property boasts tropical gardens, open verandas and terraces, a library, a sociable bar, a swimming pool, and a lovely Ayurvedic spa. The ‘Verandah’ restaurant serves Sri Lankan and Asian fusion cuisine made with home grown or locally sourced ingredients to guests and locals alike. Croquet, indoor games and Sri Lankan cookery classes are available on site, and there are plenty of cultural and beach activities nearby.

The accommodation comprises 17 elegant rooms and suites, each boasting king-size or twin beds, en-suite wet-rooms with rainwater showers, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi to name but a few of the many amenities. The Garden Suites are particularly secluded and feature a private garden-view veranda or garden with comfortable furniture. In addition there are designated two-bedroom, two-bathroom Family Suites and the enormous Mountbatten Suite takes the biscuit, boasting two spacious interconnecting bedrooms, a free-standing bathtub in the main bathroom and private swimming and plunge pools.

Activities might include a day trip to bustling Colombo with its historical and religious buildings, street food sellers, and bazaars in the Pettah market district, or visits to Negombo beach which is about half an hour away. The fish market in Negombo is worth a visit, and days can be whiled away snorkelling, scuba diving, sunbathing on the long stretch of golden sand, or enjoying a boat trip out into the lagoon. Visits to the Millennium Elephant Sanctuary can also be arranged.

Children of all ages are welcome and extra beds for toddlers under two, and cots for infants, can be brought in to the standard hotel rooms if requested in advance. Families with older children can stay in the designated Family Suite which comprises a Garden Suite and a smaller, twin-bedded Wallawwa bedroom. Another, larger option for families is the Mountbatten Suite which houses a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, a lounge and a private garden complete with plunge pool. The second bedroom is furnished with queen-sized twin beds and has its own shower room – in fact, the Mountbatten can sleep up to 6 people if the queen-sized beds are shared. Parents are advised that The Wallawwa has a pool and several unfenced ponds in the garden, so children should be supervised at all times.

Suggested Itineraries for The Wallawwa

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 530 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again

    MissingGodfrey R reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana on 25 September 2023

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

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