The River House by Asia Leisure is a small boutique retreat of five suites on the banks of the Madu River at Balapitiya, on Sri Lanka's south-west coast. Set in a large, grassy garden ringed by trees, it was the first Sri Lankan property to be included in Condé Nast Traveller's annual Hot List, and it is run as a quiet, private house rather than a resort, with a butler looking after each suite.
The house stands at Welagedara in Balapitiya, on the bank of the Madu River, the wide, mangrove-lined river that meets the sea at Balapitiya. Balapitiya railway station is about 1.8 km away, and Ambalangoda, with its station about 3 km away, is the nearest larger town. Balapitiya Beach is about 1.5 km away, and Bentota lies further north along the same coast.
The drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) takes around two hours, on the airport and Southern expressways and then along the coast to Balapitiya, depending on traffic around Colombo. The simplest way to arrive after a long flight is a private airport transfer booked in advance with Lakpura: an English-speaking driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to the hotel in an air-conditioned car, van or coach sized for your group, from 2 up to 15 guests, at a fixed price for the whole vehicle rather than per seat. The same service works in reverse for your departure flight. Book the Colombo (CMB) Airport transfer to The River House by Asia Leisure.
Each of the five suites is individually designed with Asian interiors and has its own name: the Menik Plunge Pool Suite has its own plunge pool, the Walawe and Gin Jacuzzi Suites each have a double jacuzzi, and the Kala and Kirinda Garden Suites open onto private gardens. Rooms look out over the garden or the Madu River.
Meals are served in an open-air setting, and guests can dine under a kumbuk tree in the garden or on their own balcony. The outdoor pool is surrounded by cashew and nuga trees, and the house offers in-suite massages, yoga with an instructor, room service and children's activities.
The river itself is the main attraction: canoes and kayaks are available for a quiet paddle, fishing can be arranged, and the gardens are good for birdwatching. Boat trips on the Madu River wind through the mangroves and past its small islands, and the coast nearby has the mask makers of Ambalangoda, the turtle hatcheries of Kosgoda and the beaches of Bentota, with Galle Fort an easy day trip to the south. Lakpura can arrange private transfers and day tours to all of these from the hotel.
Bookable activities, tours, and tickets within a 25 km radius.
from LKR 42,000
from LKR 34,500
from LKR 60,000
from LKR 168,750
from LKR 25,500
from LKR 4,500
from LKR 43,500
from LKR 225,516
Pre-book a private vehicle for arrival, departure, or onward travel.
