Horathapola

Rooms

There are 2 large suites and a two-bedroomed family suite in the main house. All these rooms are furnished with antique four-poster beds and dark wooden furniture. The lovely polished dark wood floors are beautifully contrasted by the white walls and white furnishings, and give the rooms a calm and sophisticated feel. The airy bathrooms come with double sinks, large shower and toilet rooms. These rooms have been completely renovated yet have maintained the antique style of the mansion.

The Master Bedroom on the first floor has a large veranda overlooking the pool. An intricately carved kingsize four-poster bed and other antique furniture under high ceilings make it popular for honeymooners.

Also on the first floor, the Family Suite offers space for a family of 4 or 5. It consists of a triple room with a kingsize four-poster bed and a spacious single bed, and a double room with a queensize four-poster bed. Each room has an en-suite bathroom. The two rooms are connected by a large covered sitting area overlooking the garden.

On the ground floor, the fourth room has a kingsize ebony four-poster and a single brass bed, which makes the room ideal for a family with young children. Extra beds and cots are available on request. A large covered terrace gives direct access to the garden and pool area. This room can, however, be rather noisy if there are people staying in the family suite above.

For those looking for something a little more private, Horathapola Lodge is set 20m from the main house, sleeping 4 people. This consists of a master bedroom and a smaller double room, both with antique four-poster beds (1 kingsize and 1 queensize). It also has kitchen facilities, outdoor dining areas and a private open balcony.

Features include:

• Fan
• Mosquito net
• WiFi

Eating

Traditional curries are still prepared in clay pots on the firewood stove. Many of the ingredients are grown on the estate itself and the spices freshly picked and ground. Horathapola's reputation for it's food is growing and we think you'll enjoy some of the most authentic food in Sri Lanka here.

Breakfast consists of a large fresh fruit platter, eggs cooked to order, home made bread, rotti and jam, and usually one or two curries to be sampled if you are keen for local food. Children’s favorites are French toast with cinnamon sugar and pol-paeni pancakes (filled with roasted coconut and palmsugar)
Dinner will be discussed with you upon arrival. There is something to everyone’s taste, be it meat or seafood, vegetarian or vegan. The array of rice, string hoppers, hoppers and pittu, vegetable curries, sambols, chutneys and pickles is almost endless and the ingredients always garden-fresh.

Pasta dishes, fish in banana-leaf, Thai curries or even home-made gnocchi are only a few options to be had if you happen to be at the end of your Sri Lanka trip and had your fill of curries.
The lunch menu is a small but select list of favorite salads and sandwiches, pastas and seafood.

Afternoon tea and home-made cake will tempt you wherever you happen to be lazing about. All meals are served wherever you wish - under the shade of a tree in the beautiful garden, on your private verandah or balcony, or in the grand dining room.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Kids' meals
• Lunch by arrangement
• Organic produce
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Lazing by the pool and in the jacuzzi
  
• Exploring the estate on a bullock cart. Take a tour of the organic coconut plantation, see how they are picked and sample the juice. Find out how pepper is grown, how cinnamon is peeled and how the paddy is harvested.
  
• Wander around the nearby village temples and enjoy bicycle rides on the quiet village roads; visit the loacl markets (Wednesday and Saturday)
  
• Spot dozens of bird varieties and fruit bats
  
• Trips to the west coast beaches (30 minutes drive to the nearest beach)
  
• Daytrips to the ancient city of Panduwasnuwara and to the ancient rock temple Yapahuwa - both stunning World Heritage sites

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Plantlife / flora
• Swimming

Kids

A great spot in rural Sri Lanka, an hour from Colombo, with family rooms and bullock cart exploration trips of the coconut estate. Kids stay for free up to 3 years old when sharing room with parents. Baby cots are free of charge.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The 2-bed Family Suite suits a family of 4-5. It has a triple bedroom plus double room and a large covered sitting room as well as ensuite bathrooms. The Family Lodge also works well for a family of 4-5, particularly if you want to self cater, and has 2 doubles (an extra bed can be added too). Alternatively book 1 of the 2 triple suites, with a double bed and single bed plus room for a cot

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour
• Hospital: 1.5 hours

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Horathapola Estate is set on a coconut estate about an hour from Colombo airport.

By Air
Fly into Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (45km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.

From the Airport
Horathapola is approx 45-60 minutes drive north from the airport. Taxis are readily available or Horathapola can arrange an airport transfer on request (additional charge).

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to Sri Lanka and getting around