Bawa House 87, Bentota, Sri Lanka

Tucked away in the coastal town of Bentota, Bawa House 87 is a creation of Geoffrey Bawa — one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated architects — and it bears all the hallmarks of his singular vision. Hidden within a well-protected 17-acre enclave of jungle gardens, a lake, and marshlands in the South Western Province, the property invites guests into a quiet world where nature sets the rhythm of every day.

The experience here is an unhurried one: waking to sunrise, taking breakfast overlooking the lake, watching monkeys move through the treetops at lunch, and wandering a jungle path as the landscape reveals itself at its own pace. The estate is carefully maintained so that Bawa's original atmosphere endures for every visitor who passes through.

Getting There

Bawa House 87 is approximately a three-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. Bentota is accessible via the Colombo–Galle main motorway as well as the Colombo–Galle–Matara southern railway line, making it reachable by both road and rail.

The Three Pavilions

The property is composed of three bungalows, each with its own character, with bedrooms, living areas, a kitchen, and a bar distributed across them.

The Pavilion is the largest of the three. On the ground floor, two main bedrooms flank a central hall, each fitted with en-suite bathrooms, king-sized beds with mosquito nets, a comfortable lounging space, and a private dining area.

The Shophouse accommodates the kitchen, an indoor dining room, and two standard bedrooms. A lake-facing veranda provides a tranquil spot for seated relaxation, while an outdoor dining area allows guests to eat al fresco beneath the canopy.

The Artist's Bar is the most intimate of the three bungalows. It houses a cosy air-conditioned bar alongside an outdoor seating area — a place to spend evenings with music, drinks, and close company.

Dining and the Pool

An in-house cook prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner grounded in local cuisine and selected Western favourites. Guests may choose to dine indoors or outdoors according to the time of day and the weather, and dietary requirements can be communicated to management upon booking confirmation.

The lap pool sits in a shaded grove of frangipani trees and is often scattered with fallen petals. Soft drinks and juices are available on request, while wine can be pre-ordered before arrival; a wine list is made available to guests.

Wildlife and Bawa's Sculptures

The marshlands surrounding the property form a preserved sanctuary home to rare leaf monkeys, kingfishers, orioles, eagles, rabbits, parrots, flying foxes, Asian otters, and turtles. A winding path leads through rare shrubs and trees, bringing guests to a series of Bawa's own creations — a sphinx, an unexpected sculpture, a ruined chapel, and small clearings that open onto undisturbed views of the surrounding landscape.