The Wallawwa: A Tranquil Hideaway Outside Colombo

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Discover why The Wallawwa is the perfect spot to kickstart your adventure after a long flight to Colombo! Keep reading to learn more.

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WHY THE WALLAWWA

We knew we wanted to start our trip with an overwater bungalow in the Maldives for a week of R&R, but we also wanted a bit of adventure and cultural exploring following our stay – so a road trip through Sri Lanka was the perfect addition to our itinerary.

Our three main destinations in Sri Lanka were the Ceylon Tea Trails, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, and Cape Weligama, but since we flew in from the Maldives on an afternoon flight, we spent the evening at The Wallawwa right outside Colombo before starting our 6 hour drive to the tea trails the following morning. We initially booked The Wallawwa as an airport stopover in Colombo, but we fell in love with this charming boutique hotel. It’s crazy to think this hidden little oasis is just a short drive from the busy city!

HOW TO GET THERE

After a day of traveling from the Maldives with a sea plane from our bungalow to Male, flight from Male to Colombo, airport security health screenings, and the quick transfer to the hotel, nestling into this peaceful hideaway was the most delightful way to start our journey in Sri Lanka! The Wallawwa is located in Negombo, just a quick 30 minute drive from Colombo.

The drive from the airport to the hotel was fascinating, and we loved seeing all of the tuk tuks and the local culture – but the most exciting part was passing all the monkeys hanging from the trees and even an elephant crossing the street! We booked a safari for a part of our trip, but within minutes of landing in Sri Lanka, we felt as though we had already started the safari – and it was amazing.

ABOUT THE HOTEL

This 200-year old manor house turned chic boutique hotel holds on to its original Dutch warehouse colonial design. With modern and luxurious updates throughout the 5-acre property, the manor’s history adds to the unique charm of this tranquil hideaway. Fun fact: the manor was once occupied by the Royal Air Force during WWII.

Situated amongst the gorgeous tropical terrain and beautiful gardens, The Wallawwa is a serene escape perfect for starting or ending a trip to Sri Lanka. With only 18 hotel rooms and suites, the sense of seclusion and intimacy is evident from the moment you arrive – and it was heavenly!

OUR STAY

We were greeted with delicious organic juices upon check-in, had a quick refresh in our rooms, and enjoyed the best dinner trying all of the local curries outside on the Verandah terrace – and it was the perfect stay.

Charley booked a Garden Suite for our visit, and we absolutely loved the room! Our room opened to a lush garden setting, perfect for enjoying tea the following morning before we left on our journey. My favorite part of the suite was definitely the huge bathroom and open shower for a spa-like experience – and it was so nice after a day of traveling!

What we loved most about the hotel was definitely the jungle pool hidden beneath the tropical trees. While we didn’t have time to check out the spa, we will for sure add this to our list next time we visit – because we’re already dreaming of future trips back to Sri Lanka!

Next time you’re mapping out an itinerary for Sri Lanka, I highly recommend adding The Wallawwa to your list. I had an incredible time here and absolutely loved my stay, and I know you will love this tranquil getaway as much as I did!

For more information about The Wallawwa, click here.