Brook Boutique Hotel & Spa, Dambulla

Nestled on an 80-acre fruit estate in the Sri Lankan countryside, Brook Boutique Hotel & Spa sits close to Dambulla and the start of the Cultural Triangle. The estate itself is a working landscape of coconuts, bananas, cashew nuts, mangoes and more, lending the property a lush, rural character that sets it apart from conventional hotel stays. From arrival — when front desk staff extend a warm welcome — to the moment of departure, the hotel is designed to offer a level of service, style and comfort that leaves a lasting impression.

Brook has been developed with the discerning traveller in mind, aiming to deliver a sense of contentment and relaxation described as unique among properties on the island.

Deluxe and Superior Rooms

Every room carries its own character, furnished with handmade pieces by Sri Lankan craftsmen and decorated with artefacts sourced from around the world. Charming colour schemes and high-quality soft furnishings create a warm atmosphere, while 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton bed linen, ultra-lightweight duvets and an extensive pillow and cushion menu attend to sleeping comfort. Each room's front porch offers a relaxing seating area with rocking chairs and accompanying footstools; alternatively, guests may choose to sunbathe on the grassy slope that fronts the seven-bedroom unit.

Room facilities include air conditioning and ceiling fans, electronic safes, 24-hour room service, a fully stocked minibar, 32-inch plasma-screen televisions, individual satellite decoders, DVD players, complimentary mobile telephone use and free internet connection with two hours of laptop use per day available on request at reception. Tea and coffee making facilities, bottled water, spacious bathrooms with hot and cold water, luxury toiletries, a hairdryer, cotton robes and slippers, an ironing board, laundry service and a 24-hour doctor on call complete the offering.

Garden Chalets

The garden chalets step up the sense of privacy and indulgence considerably. Each chalet opens onto its own private garden, equipped with either a plunge pool or a couples' Jacuzzi, a swing day-bed, sun-loungers, a separate dining area and individual exercise equipment including a gym ball — a thoughtful touch for guests who prefer to keep active. Glorious views extend across the estate and toward the nearby mountains from each chalet's comfortable sitting area, while a designated dressing area behind the bed includes a make-up table and a well-lit vanity mirror. On the front porch, a luxurious rocking chair with its own accompanying rocking footstool invites quiet contemplation.

The chalets are appointed with 40-inch plasma-screen televisions, and share the same comprehensive room facilities as the Deluxe and Superior Rooms. The estate's own water supply has been tested and certified at A+ grade, though additional filtration systems have been installed and bottled water is provided as standard. Close by the 7-foot square Emperor's bed, tea and coffee making facilities are always at hand.

Setting and Surroundings

Brook Boutique Hotel & Spa occupies a position that makes it an especially fitting base for exploring the Cultural Triangle, one of Sri Lanka's richest concentrations of historical and natural heritage. The estate's working fruit groves and the countryside rolling around it offer a gentler, quieter counterpoint to the ancient monuments and sacred sites that draw visitors to this part of the island.