Sir John’s Bungalow

Offering sweeping vistas of the North Eastern Knuckles mountain range, an area that is celebrated for its striking peaks, pristine waterways, bewitching cloud forests, and diverse flora and fauna, Sir John’s Bungalow is situated at the threshold of a land before time.

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Built by the British during the colonial era as a residence for the Superintendent of the 1,300 acre Laggala tea estate, the Bungalow was once the holiday home of Sir John Kotalawala, the third Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. As the area is within the Knuckles conservation zone tea cultivation was abandoned thirty years ago allowing the jungle to reclaim its bounty.

The planter's misfortune has thus become a dream come true for trekkers, wildlife enthusiasts, and all seekers of the sublime. During the dry months of June to September, elephants from the plains of the nearby Wasgamuwa National Park roam the estate in search of water and food. Wild buffaloes are in abundance, with leopards and fishing cats making occasional nocturnal visits, and the sounds of the timid barking deer echoing in the surrounding forest.

Committed to an ethos of environmentally sustainable hospitality, Sir John’s Bungalow is carbon-neutral, harnessing solar energy for electricity and recycling all waste matter.

Accommodation

Tastefully appointed with modern conveniences, Sir John’s Bungalow also retains its old-world charms and comforts, including roaring fireplaces in the living and dining rooms. All bedrooms feature king-sized beds, elegant teak floors, and attached bathrooms with hot water showers. Both the Riverstone suite and Sir John's suite have four-legged cast iron bathtubs that can be filled for a long, relaxing soak.

Facilities

The facilities at Sir John’s Bungalow allow you to explore the majesty of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful backyard. The drawing room and veranda overlooking the gardens have an unrestricted view of the North Eastern plains, and offer plenty of spaces to relax and unwind. A natural rock pool in the landscape garden, fed by a burbling mountain spring, beckons bathers with crystal-clear waters. The sprawling 5-acre garden, with its carefully preserved tea bushes, is perfect for morning walks or for children to romp.

Flat screen TV with satellite channels have been installed in both the Riverston suite and Sir John’s suite, giving guests an array of entertainment options. Those who are keen on continuing to journey, albeit in the comfort of a plush armchair, can leaf through a stocked library of fascinating books on old Ceylon. A selection of board games also available. Guests who wish to try and capture the Bungalow’s inimitable views in painted form can request an easel, canvas, and oil paints for a nominal amount. Our delicious meals can be enjoyed by guests in the main dining room, which has a fourteen-seater dining table set by a fireplace, in the smaller private dining room, the veranda or the garden beside the stream.