Travellers with a penchant for hotels bearing a rich and storied past ought to check out Lunaganga, a charming country estate-turned lush boutique hotel by luxury collective Teardrop Hotels. Located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, the property was formerly the quaint country home of architect Geoffrey Bawa, who first acquired it in 1947 as one of his first projects.
Back then, the prolific Sri Lankan architect transformed the house and its surrounding gardens from a derelict rubber estate into an impeccable abode, thereby cementing his globally renowned style of tropical modernism. Inside, the delicate features of Japanese garden art blend seamlessly with elements of Italian Renaissance gardens, English landscapping and the tradition water gardens of Sri Lanka.
As Geoffrey’s most extravagant work, the estate originally comprised of a former 1930’s plantation bungalow with six private guest suites, each one styled with an eclectic mix of antique and modern furniture.
Today, a partnership between Teardrop Hotels and The Geoffrey Bawa Trust has resulted in the relaunch of the charming country estate as a nine-bedroom property. Interior design lovers alike will be pleased to know that minimal changes have been made to the estate, allowing guests to savour the lush space as intended.
Aside from the nine bedrooms, the property is also home to the architect’s orginal residence, as well as a three-bed house which he designed and built in Colombo—later painstakingly reconstructed on the estate grounds. The latter is the home of Bawa’s dear friend, Ena de Silva, who is a batik artist based in the Sri Lankan city. The arduous journey of disassembling and rebuilding the house took more than six years, but was able to retain original features like the frangipani tree in its front courtyard and the slabs of river stone.
Henry Fitch, managing director of Teardrop Hotels, said: “The spectacular location and stunning gardens are a masterclass in landscape design. Lunuganga is one of the most treasured properties in Sri Lanka and Teardrop Hotels is thrilled to have been entrusted with its management.”
Guests looking to experience this architectural marvel can book a night’s stay in either the main house or the Ena de Silva villa, at rates starting from US$265 for two, inclusive of breakfast.
To mark the relaunch, there’s also a 20 percent discount on all rooms book before November 31, 2020, with usability until April 31, 2020.
A night at Lunuganga – in either the main house or the Ena de Silva villa – starts at USD265++ for two people sharing, inclusive of breakfast. To celebrate the relaunch, Teardrop Hotels is offering guests a 20% discount on all rooms booked before 31st November 2020 – which can then be used anytime until 31st April 2022.
More information here.
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