Accommodations
Two tranquil houses — five distinctive suites — all framed by the hills of Udunuwara.
Accommodations Overview
Accommodations are set across two houses in the estate, each with its own sitting areas and kitchen. The Courtyard House lies at the heart of the complex with three suites, while the more secluded Library House has two suites. They may be rented as private villas or as individual rooms for more intimate stays.
The Courtyard House
Centered on a serene courtyard, the Courtyard House is the social heart of Hiyarapitiya. On either side are a dining room for up to 18 guests — where family gatherings are held at Christmas and Sri Lankan New Year — and a living room overlooking the lower gardens, the 14th-century Lankatillake Temple, and distant hills.
A pantry and main kitchen for the entire complex serves this house. It holds three suites, each with its own distinct charm.
The Lankatillake Suite
The ultimate “room with a view”, this suite overlooks the 14th-century Lankatillake Raja Maha Vihara, the lush lower gardens, and across the valley to Hunnasgiriya and the Knuckles range.
A four-poster bed inspired by Groote Constantia in South Africa is flanked by a Chinese camphorwood chest and a colonial writing bureau. Art and prints collected over the years hang alongside a Tree of Life Palampore fabric. A private balcony for two overlooks the gardens and pool.
The Embekke Suite
Named for the 14th-century Embekke Devale, this is the only suite with its own private terrace overlooking the valley and the Lankatillake temple. Outdoor seating sits amidst a secluded garden space.
Furnished with 18th-century Dutch-inspired four-poster bed and cupboard, plus a 19th-century “viyan redda” canopy cloth, period furniture reproductions, and contemporary art. Easy access leads from the terrace to the swimming pool.
The Gadaladeniya Suite
Named for the Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Vihara (1346), this intimate suite overlooks formal gardens, forest gardens, and distant peaks like Uragala and Katusukonde.
A French-style bed with an Ena de Silva baldachin and muslin curtains is paired with antique Peranakan hooks, grey-painted furniture, 19th-century Dutch colonial prints, and contemporary art of Kandyan temple scenes. Brass bedside lamps were crafted by local Gadaladeniya artisans.
The Library House
A more secluded space, the Library House has two bedrooms and a mezzanine library and workspace. The upper spaces open onto balconies with sweeping views of the countryside. A small kitchen and dining area complete the house.
Note: This house is not suitable for children under 12 years.
The Hunasgiriya Suite
The master suite of the Library House. A bedroom links to a combined dressing and bathroom, its walls hung with contemporary art and photography and anchored by an 18th-century cupboard.
A verandah sit-out opens from the dressing room onto a lawn leading to the swimming pool. Named for Hunasgiriya Mountain, visible through the trees on clear days.
The Peacock Hill Suite
Often used by the owners’ parents, this small suite includes a bedroom with shower/WC. It’s decorated with antique colonial-era prints of landscapes, natural history, and period events.
A large Provençal-style bed stands before a piece of textile from the owner’s collection. Named after Peacock Hill, a mountain visible in this direction.
