Water Garden Sigiriya

Rooms

The 30 stylish villas are some of the largest 'rooms' in Sri Lanka. All have smooth floors, full-length windows and smart contemporary furnishings, including cloud-like king-sized beds dressed in pillowy duvets and finely woven bedspreads for melting into. The lounge with TV, sofa and dining table is totally separate from the bedroom. Some villas are a little hike from the main areas but you can always call for a buggy if you're feeling lazy.

All villas have coffee machines, fast WiFi, Bluetooth speakers, even binoculars for spotting wildlife from your bed or private terrace. Bathrooms have tubs and walk-in rain showers. The Superior Deluxe Villas are essentially identical to the starter-level Deluxe Villas, with the luxurious addition of a private plunge pool on their terrace. The 4 Duplex Villas also have plunge pools and sleep up to 5 in 2 bedrooms (a ground-floor twin and a first-floor king). They also have roof terraces with views of Sigiriya.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Although there's a lovely glass-walled air-conditioned dining room, we preferred sitting outside on the wraparound veranda for meals. There are no other restaurants nearby so most guests book on a half-board basis; you choose from a handful of main courses as part of a substantial 5-course set dinner. If you’d prefer more choice or lighter meals, opt for B&B basis to access their a la carte menu, too.

Food is delicious – and beautifully presented. For breakfast, Sri Lankan curries and sambols are paired with a medley of sides (milk rice, string hoppers, hoppers and coconut roti) as opposed to just one option, and we enjoyed everything we tried. The rice and curry for lunch, which comprised multiple bowls of individual curries, was also very good. On the dinner set menu there’s always a local option alongside a few Western mains such as rack of lamb, grilled chicken or fish.

There's also the option to feast on traditional Sri Lankan dishes cooked with authentic methods at the Kamatha Dining Experience. You're set up under the stars, with Sigiriya as a backdrop, surrounded by paddy fields, and lit by flaming tiki torches.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Unesco-listed Sigiriya is why you're here. The hotel offers guided visits to help you understand its religious and cultural significance and history
  
• Dambulla’s sacred cave temples are another must, each festooned with Buddhist statues and vibrant well-preserved murals
  
• The hotel has bicycles for exploring your rural environs independently or step out on foot on their 2-hour guided nature walks
  
• Day trip to the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, or admire Mihintale's incredible frescoes
  
• Lounge by the huge swimming pool or indulge in a wide array of relaxing massages, body scrubs, wraps and treatments at the Ayurvedic spa, which also has a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. There are complimentary daily morning yoga classes, and regular meditation and pranayama sessions led by an experienced practitioner
  
• Safari in Minneriya National Park, home to wild elephants, water buffalo and diverse bird life. Sightings are most frequent between August and October

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Meditation
• Private guided tours
• Safaris
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Walking tours
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Yoga

Kids

The hotel welcomes families and has a children's pool and Duplex Villas with 2 bedrooms apiece, a kids menu and a babysitting service. Children will be fascinated by Sigiriya's history and dominating presence on the landscape, and by the nearby Dambulla caves.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

All villas can fit an extra bed or baby cot, but the most suitable rooms for families (with up to 3 children) are the Duplex Villas. These have a ground-floor twin bedroom and a first-floor double bedroom, plus a roof terrace with views of Sigiriya. Each has a private terrace and plunge pool.

Distances:

• Airport: 146km (Colombo)
• Hospital: 12km
• Shop: 3km

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Water Garden Sigiriya is just 7km from Sigiriya rock, a World Heritage Site, set in rural countryside amidst Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle region.

By Air:
Most people fly into Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (146km). Sigiriya’s domestic airport, serviced by Cinnamon Air, is a 15-minute’ drive away. The hotel can arrange a car and driver to pick you up from either airport.

If you want to hire a car and driver for your whole holiday, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator; they can collect you at Colombo airport when you land, drive you to the hotel, then drive you to your onward destination(s) after your stay, as well as taking you on all day trips etc.

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