9 Geoffrey Bawa hotels & homes in Sri Lanka you need to visit at least once

Anyone visiting Sri Lanka will likely come across the name of the late, great Geoffrey Bawa, often labelled as the Godfather of Tropical Modernism. The architect designed countless structures across the island, from parliament buildings and railway stations to personal homes and sprawling hotels. I first learnt about him on my first day in the country in 2024, when I picked up a coffee table book about the man himself in the low-key Airbnb I was staying in. Curious to learn more about his style and designs, I hopped in a tuk-tuk to visit his Colombo home studio, Number 11, which is open to the public, but my luck was out, and the bright white building was closed for a private event.

Over the next two years, I began reading more and more about Bawa’s philosophy and started seeking out some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka, many of which were inspired by his aesthetic. There are also plenty of homes and hotels designed by Bawa himself that visitors to the island can actually stay in. Some were designed purposefully as hotels, such as The Lighthouse Hotel in Galle, while others, such as De Saram House in Colombo, were designed as private homes, yet are now bookable by the bedroom for visitors to Sri Lanka. Of all the designs, I think my favourite has to be Lunuganga in Bentota for its gardens, layout and magical feeling. But all properties impress in their own unique way. Here are the Geoffrey Bawa hotels and homes in Sri Lanka you need to know about. 

9 Geoffrey Bawa hotels & homes in Sri Lanka that design fans will adore

Number 11, a Geoffrey Bawa home in Colombo (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

Geoffrey Bawa homes—from Lunuganga to Ratnam Residence

1. Lunuganga, Bentota

One of my all-time favourite hotels in the entire country, Lunuganga, simply has a magic vibe that is hard to describe. Set within sprawling grounds filled with rubber trees and their precious-looking seeds, the gardens are as majestic as the building itself. An abundance of frangipani (Bawa's favourite) has been bent into coral-like formations, created by hanging weighted bags on young branches, and a series of secret gardens feels lost in time yet perfectly preserved.

Lunuganga by Geoffrey Bawa (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

The main building, including Bawa's bedroom, houses his very own personal art collection, curios and vintage kerosene-lamp-powered fans, giving the place an intimate, homely feel. I stayed in the guest suite within the main house, adjacent to Bawa’s own bedroom, which is also open for bookings. There are only two bedrooms in the main house and an assortment of other rooms in our outbuildings scattered across the rest of the grounds. Garden tours are included in room rates; book early.

Address: Lunuganga, Dedduwa, Bentota

2. Number 11, Colombo

Geoffrey Bawa’s Colombo home and studio has two bookable bedrooms, one on the upper level at the front of the house and the other on the ground floor. I stayed in the upper suite before the second bedroom opened in 2025, and just like Lunuganga, it was equally magical. A swirling bright white staircase leads to the suite, from where a hammered copper door opens to reveal a serene sanctuary filled with unique furnishings, drawings, books and relics.

The upstairs guest suite at Number 11 in Colombo (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

There are two beds to choose from, although one is rather open plan. Above the suite is a veranda overlooking the frangipani on the street below. Breakfast, taken on Bawa’s own dining table, and a tour of the property are included in room rates. It’s possible to take a tour of the property even if you’re not staying, but if the two bedrooms are occupied, you won’t be able to see inside. Ideal for longer stays in Colombo, it's not too far from Battaramulla, where visitors can extend their Sri Lanka visas.

Address: No.11, 33rd Lane, Bagatelle Road, Colombo

3. De Saram House, Colombo

Located in Colombo 7, De Saraam House is the very first Geoffrey Bawa-designed house I stayed in, not long after I landed in Sri Lanka. Designed as a private home for the De Saram family, it features a stunning collection of art and a gorgeous grand piano. I stayed in the room labelled DK1, which has all the trappings of a Bawa design; high ceilings, clean lines and the natural world viewable from various points throughout.

Breakfast at De Saram House, Colombo (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

Like Number 11, breakfast is taken on a long table and is included in the price. I was the only guest staying at the time, so I had the entire property to myself and got to peek inside the rest of the bedrooms, two of which are hidden in a standalone building in the courtyard.

Address: De Saraam House, 61/6 Ward Pl, Colombo

4. Jetwing Ratnam Residence, Colombo

Another private Colombo home, Jetwing Ratnam Residence, opened to the public late 2025, and happily, I was the first journalist to get a look inside the four-bedroom property, which I wrote about for design bible Wallpaper* magazine.

Jetwing Ratnam Residence (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

This place really is something special as it still feels very much like a home, yet is enveloped with vines, lush foliage and trees growing out of its central courtyard. Open beams let in gentle dappled light, and shadows dance across the interior at whatever time of day. No food and drinks are included here, so it’s better to head out and experience Colombo’s top restaurants.

Address: Jetwing Ratnam Residence, 410/6 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo

5. Ena de Silva House (No. 5 at Lunuganga), Bentota

Set within the grounds of Lunuganga, the Ena de Silva house is a feat of architectural genius centred around an open courtyard. Of the three rooms, I stayed in Ena’s bedroom and adored the bright white open-air en suite bathroom decorated with blue accents.

Inside Ena de Silva House, also known as No.5 at Lunuganga (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

What makes the property even more impressive is that it was moved piece by piece from Colombo. Today, you can see the numbers on the floor tiles, marking the exact location of each one, ensuring it was rebuilt in exactly the same way as it originally stood in the capital. 

Address: No. 5 at Lunuganga, Dedduwa, Bentota

6. The Bawa Space, Colombo

While you can’t stay in this residential property designed for the lawyer Aelian Kannangara, it is possible to get a look inside since it’s now an art and events space and small gallery.

Upstairs at The Bawa Space, a Geoffrey Bawa home in Colombo (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

As the newest opening from The Geoffrey Bawa Trust, it’s still fairly unknown outside of the art world in Colombo, but lovers of Bawa and strong architecture will undoubtedly adore its sunken pool area, photogenic staircase and slatted roofing over a small shop selling Bawa merchandise.

Address: 42/1 Horton Place, Colombo

Laki Senanayake's test owl sculpture for the large-scale version found within Geoffrey Bawa's Kandalama hotel in Dambulla (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)   

Geoffrey Bawa hotels—from Dambulla to Galle

7. Jetwing Lighthouse

One of the highlights of a Geoffrey Bawa tour of Sri Lanka is Jetwing Lighthouse, found overlooking the ocean just a short drive away from Galle Fort and not too far from the pretty village of Madiha and its delightful restaurants. The magnificent central spiral staircase is a true marvel and utterly captivating, adorned with bronze and copper figures designed by another prominent figure in the art world, Laki Senanayake.

The staircase at Jetwing Lighthouse (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

As one of Bawa’s last great projects, the post-modern minimalist hotel holds over 80 rooms, so you can be sure to secure a stay. I also really like the Pan Asian restaurant that sits by the hotel’s adjoining poolside structure, since they serve tasty bites and well-blended cocktails.

Address: Jetwing Lighthouse, Dadella, Galle

8. Jetwing Lagoon Wellness

This is a favourite stay since it ticks all the boxes with great food, service and bedrooms that feature large outdoor bathrooms. It also has one of the largest swimming pools in Sri Lanka, is close to the airport and has a really great spa offering.

The spa area at Jetwing Lagoon Wellness (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

If I’m not mistaken, this was also Bawa’s very first resort design project, and honestly, it’s perhaps one of his best when it comes to large-scale buildings. I’ve now stayed in the property twice, the first of which I tried one of the villa properties, the second in the standalone Bawa Suite, which is a must-stay for fans of the architect. 

Address: Jetwing Lagoon Wellness, Pamunugama Road, Thalahena, Negombo

9. Heritance Kandalama

I spent three nights at Kandalama during my first year in Sri Lanka, and can confidently say it’s well worth visiting. But perhaps skip a sleepover since the bedrooms are tired and dated and in much need of a renovation. They just don’t live up to the standard expected of a Bawa hotel, even more so since the starting rate in low season is around £90 per night.

Heritance Kandalama, a Geoffrey Bawa designed hotel (photo: Lydia Swinscoe)

Built to blend absolutely seamlessly into the surrounding rock face and countryside, there’s no denying the property is a true marvel, yet parts of it do feel a little carpark or prison-like. My advice would be to drop in for lunch on the way to Sigiriya or Dambulla Cave Temple, but opt to stay in one of the other Bawa properties across the island instead.

Address: Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla