Photograph · AI-enhanced
Fresco Water Villa is a garden resort on Sigiriya Road at Kimbissa, in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle and roughly two kilometres from the Sigiriya Rock. Part of the Sri Lankan Oak Ray group, it is built as a cluster of three-storey villa blocks in cream and terracotta, set around lawns, frangipani trees and the reed-planted water channels and lotus ponds that give the property its name. A long pool runs the length of the main block, and almost every room opens onto a balcony or terrace above the water.
The hotel stands at the 4th Mile Post on Sigiriya Road in Kimbissa, Central Province — on the approach road between Inamaluwa and Sigiriya village, so it sits just off the main tourist route rather than in the middle of it. The Sigiriya Rock and its archaeological museum are about two kilometres away, a drive of only a few minutes, and the ticket office and rock entrance are around three kilometres. Pidurangala Rock is roughly six kilometres, the Dambulla Cave Temple about sixteen, and Minneriya National Park about nineteen. Kaudulla National Park is the longer run at around forty kilometres.
Accommodation is in villa-style blocks rather than a single tower, and the hotel's own room grades are Deluxe and Superior Deluxe. A Deluxe room measures about 220 square feet (roughly 20 m²) and is laid out with either a king bed or twins, with a private balcony or terrace looking over the waterways, the lotus ponds or the garden. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with satellite television, a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, and an en-suite bathroom with a shower.
Through Lakpura the property is sold in Standard, Superior and Deluxe grades, each available for single, double or triple occupancy, and on room-only, bed and breakfast, half board or full board terms. Triple rooms make this a practical choice for families and small groups who would rather not split across two rooms.
Dining is centred on an open-sided restaurant beside the pool, screened by jasmine and araliya trees, serving Sri Lankan curries and rice alongside international dishes, largely as a buffet. Breakfast runs from 07:00 to 10:00, lunch from 12:00 to 15:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 22:00. There is a bar attached to the restaurant, and tables are also laid out in the garden for al fresco dining in the evening. Guests on half or full board take their meals here, and room service is available.
The centrepiece is the outdoor swimming pool, a long rectangle with a separate shallow section and a sun terrace of loungers set against the villa blocks. Beyond it are lawns planted with palms, frangipani and flowering shrubs, and the network of shallow water channels and lotus ponds that the room blocks are built over and around — pleasant to walk at dusk, when the paths and balconies are lit. Wi-Fi is complimentary, parking is free and on site, and the hotel runs a wake-up service for guests making the pre-dawn start on Sigiriya Rock.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is around 165 kilometres away, which in practice means three and a half to four and a half hours by road depending on traffic and the time of day. The route runs north-east on the open section of the Central Expressway towards Kurunegala and then on trunk roads through Dambulla, turning off at Inamaluwa for the final few kilometres to Kimbissa. Most guests arriving on a long-haul flight book a private car and driver in advance rather than arranging transport on arrival, and the same road serves Kandy, about two and a half hours to the south-west. Book the Colombo (CMB) Airport transfer to Fresco Water Villa.
Sigiriya Rock — the fifth-century citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its frescoes, mirror wall and lion's paw staircase — is the obvious reason to stay here, and the short drive means you can be at the gate for opening and back for a late breakfast. Pidurangala Rock, the cheaper and rougher climb directly opposite, gives the view of Sigiriya itself that photographers come for. The Dambulla Cave Temple, with its painted rock ceilings and Buddha images, is a half-hour away, and Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks run afternoon jeep safaris to see wild elephants, which gather in large numbers around the reservoirs in the dry season. Hot-air balloon flights over the Cultural Triangle lift off around sixteen kilometres from the hotel in season, and the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa makes a comfortable day trip.
Fresco Water Villa suits travellers who want a comfortable, well-planted mid-range base within minutes of Sigiriya rather than a boutique retreat or a luxury lodge. It works particularly well as a one- or two-night stop on a Cultural Triangle itinerary, for families who want a pool and a triple room, and for anyone on a half or full board arrangement who would rather eat at the hotel than drive out for dinner. Travellers looking for a spa, a gym or extensive resort facilities should look elsewhere; what this property offers is space, greenery, water and proximity.
The service is impeccable, the dishes are fresh and delicious and the cook runs some food in front of the customers
Welcomed with a smile, we had a wonderful time at this hotel! 😊 The food was excellent! The service was outstanding! Mr kumara, Mrs Parami.
We had the most amazing time here. The hospitality was great especially with the food and beverage department mr kumara,parami,akila were very helpful. I would recommend to stay here
Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Fresco Water Villa.
Bookable activities, tours, and tickets within a 25 km radius.
from LKR 2,400
from LKR 3,274
from LKR 8,000
from LKR 8,800
from LKR 19,096
from LKR 4,640
from LKR 6,400
from LKR 6,400
Pre-book a private vehicle for arrival, departure, or onward travel.
