Villa · Dambulla

Kalundewa Retreat

Kalundewa Road, Dambulu Oya, on 100 acres of paddy, lakes and forest below Kalundewa Mountain

About Kalundewa Retreat

Rooms: 8 types
Dining: 2 places
Wellness: Spa
Swimming: Pools

A small retreat of chalets, suites and rooms on 100 acres of paddy, lakes and forest at Dambulu Oya, below Kalundewa Mountain outside Dambulla, each named after a tree that grows on the land.

The chalets are glass-walled with private plunge pools, and the Nil Manel floating villa, built by a boatbuilder, is moored on the lower lake with a jacuzzi pool on its teak deck.

The land is farmed organically with its own bees and herb gardens, feeds the kitchen, and all its electricity comes from solar panels.

Rooms and suites

Attikka Chalet
1,700 sq ftPlunge poolButler
1,700 sq ft, glass-walled, with a private plunge pool, outdoor dining area and a butler pantry with an induction cooker.
Karanda Chalet
Plunge poolButler
A glass-walled chalet with a private plunge pool, outdoor dining area and a butler pantry with an induction cooker.
Kumbuk Chalet
Plunge poolWater viewForest view
Beside the lake among kumbuk trees, with wide glass panels, a private plunge pool and an outdoor dining area.
Bakmee Chalet
Up to 3Hot tubWater viewHill view
A 2-storey chalet on the lake bank facing paddy and mountains; the Upper and Lower floors take up to 3 adults each, or book the whole chalet with its jacuzzi.
Nika Suite
Hill viewLiving room
A ground-floor suite with its own living room facing Kalundewa Mountain and a sheltered spot for dinner outdoors.
Damunu Suite
Hill view
A suite above the paddy fields with mountain views and an outdoor dining area.
Ehela Deluxe Room
A ground-level room beneath the Damunu Suite, with paddy fields at the door.
Nil Manel Floating Villa
219 sq ftPlunge poolHot tubDeckWater view
A villa moored on the lower lake: 219 sq ft bedroom, 693 sq ft deck with a jacuzzi plunge pool, and a 182 sq ft barbecue deck.

Dining

The Tree House RestaurantAn open-sided restaurant between the paddy fields and the lake, serving local and international dishes à la carte from the property's organic produce, with wines, beers and cocktails.
Alfresco dining7-course dinners on a floating barge, by the natural pool or under the stars, and meals at a traditional farmer's house (Govi Gedara) on a threshing floor.

Wellness

A mini spa and in-room treatments using traditional remedies.
Yoga, including sunrise sessions facing the mountains, and meditation at quiet spots on the property.
Ulpatha, a natural spring pool on the land.

Amenities

Pools and spa

Ulpatha natural spring poolMini spaIn-room spa treatmentsYoga and meditation

More dining

Govi Gedara farmhouse meals

Activities

BirdwatchingCyclingSri Lankan cookery classesVillage walks with the resident naturalistSeasonal farm work with local farmersExcursions to Minneriya and Kaudulla, the Knuckles range, Wilpattu, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Nalanda Gedige

Services

Butler serviceResident naturalist

Rooms

Tea and coffee makerMinibar or refrigeratorHair dryerWi-FiOutdoor dining area (most rooms)

Good to know

The Upper and Lower Bakmee Chalets take up to 3 adults each and can be booked together as 1 chalet.