About Us
Hiyarapitiya House — a serene retreat nestled in the hills of Udunuwara, just beyond the storied city of Kandy.
Our Story
Hiyarapitiya House was conceived as a private retreat by the renowned architect Channa Daswatte — a place close enough to Kandy, where he grew up, to keep the city’s rich culture within reach, yet far enough to be a world apart from its bustle.
Perched on an ancient estate that dates back to the last pre-colonial kingdom, this hillside sanctuary was created to celebrate the bounty of nature and the quiet dignity of Sri Lanka’s hill country — best enjoyed in the company of family and friends.
Architecture & Setting
Daswatte’s design balances the elegance of modern tropical architecture with echoes of the region’s ancestral manors. Open verandas and lofty roofs invite the breeze, while thick walls and shaded courtyards offer calm from the midday sun.
The house overlooks the lush Udunuwara hills, where the morning sun lights up the Hantane range and, on clear days, the distant peaks of the Knuckles and Adam’s Peak. Below, the daily rituals of the 14th-century Lankatillake Temple rise with the mist — their drumbeats, chants, and temple bells marking time as they have for centuries.
Life at the House
A stay at Hiyarapitiya House is unhurried. Days unfold to the calls of rare birds, the rustle of coconut palms, and the scent of wild frangipani on the breeze. Meals are simple yet rooted in tradition — drawn from local produce and the rhythms of the village.
Here, time is measured not in hours, but in sunrises over the hills, books read on the veranda, and conversations lingering late into the night under a canopy of stars.
Availability
Hiyarapitiya House offers five beautifully appointed rooms for guests seeking stillness and beauty. The house is open for stays throughout the year, except during Sri Lankan New Year and Christmas, when it is reserved for the owner and his family.