Lunuganga Country Estate, Bentota

(SKU:LK1500B234) Lunuganga Estate was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Started in 1947, the garden led Bawa, a lawyer called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1940, to decide to become an architect. As he went on to become Sri Lanka's and one of Asia's most prolific and influential architects, the garden at the Lunuganga estate remained his first muse and experimental laboratory for new ideas. He continued to change and experiment with its spaces and structures throughout his life until his final illness in 1998. Left to the Lunuganga Trust on his demise in 2003, the gardens are now open to the public and the buildings on the estate are run as a country house hotel.

Lunuganga is set at 6 degrees north latitude and 78 degrees west longitude. The estate may be approached from Colombo, which is connected by air to most international destinations. Lunuganga is two and a half hours drive from the international airport and one and a half hours from Colombo. Lunuganga will arrange an airport pickup if so required and requested. The Lunuganga estate is set in the wet tropical zone and is warm throughout the year. Average temperatures range from 26 degrees in November/February to 32 degrees during the day from March/July. The South west monsoon brings intermittent torrential rain in June and July with November to March being mostly dry and sunny.

There are six suites at the Lunuganga Estate. The Suites are preserved in, as close to the way they existed in the lifetime of the architect and full of an eclectic mixture of original antique, sometimes modern furniture and contemporary and traditional artworks.

The public rooms include a sitting room and the Garden Room. In addition there are several garden pavilions for relaxation which include the Roman Pavilion and the Blue Pavilion. Although Lunuganga does not have a swimming pool, the beautiful beache of Bentota is just a short drive away that offers numerous water sports and safe swimming. In addition the Trust also operates the Guest Suite at the Number 11 House , which is available for bed and breakfast accommodation in Colombo.

The Garden is available for corporate and personal celebrations by prior booking and at the discretion of the Trust. The house speciality is Sri Lankan Food served to various recipes and preparations that were part of the life of the house during the life of Geoffrey Bawa. We aim to provide an authentic experience of Sri Lankan home cooking to all guests. A changing menu, which includes both Sri Lankan and international cuisines, is available and uses a variety of seasonal ingredients in its preparation. Please confirm any special meal requirements at the time of making a reservation. There are a variety of dining options at Lunuganga available to resident guests and mealtime visitors. Breakfast can be served in the outdoor space closest to the suite being occupied or within the suite itself.