Boulder Garden, Kalawana, West and South Coast, Sri Lanka

Boulder Garden

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Kalawana, Sri Lanka

Extraordinary - giant boulders, teeming rainforest and bat-filled caves can be enjoyed in luxury and peace

Reviewed by Cathy Teesdale

Boulder Garden

BOULDER GARDEN - AT A GLANCE

Boulder Garden is a remarkable eco-tourist hotel and labour of love, hand-built into, under and around a slew of gigantic boulders in the Sinharaja Rainforest.

The 10 suites are arranged in 4 rising tiers, linked by winding stone steps and deep corridors. Roomy and immaculately clean, they have a monastic/ medieval feel, thanks to their rock walls, metal-barred windows, big timber beams and polished cement floors. Food is served in the open-air restaurant situated beneath the largest boulder - it’s not unlike dining under the prow of the Titanic. There’s also a cave bar and spring-water swimming pool nestled in the shady, quiet and luxurious surroundings.

Dreamt up by Sarathchandra Ramanayaka (or 'Ram'), Boulder Garden has been carefully designed to preserve the environment, help the local community and, inspire and educate people about the wonders of nature.

HIGHS

Living among awesomely huge boulders and exploring hilltop bat-filled caves and the Sinharaja Reserve (Sri Lanka's only significant virgin rainforest and a birder's paradise)
The boulder lit up by candles at night
The rain-and-spring-water swimming pool, dappled by day and lit up at night

LOWS

The is some construction work going on at the moment, although this is away from the rooms and communal areas
The seriously damp rainforest air – although de-humidifiers are on order
The staff’s (traditional Sri Lankan) tendency to be courteous to a fault – they will keep calling you ‘Sir/Madam’, no matter how long and comfortably you’ve been chatting
No mobile reception (it’s too high in the hills)
This property is expensive for Sri Lankan standards especially as prices are quoted without tax and service charges which adds another 25% to your bill at the end of your stay.

Print Whole Report

Name	Boulder Garden	Location	Kalawana, West and South Coast
Type	Guesthouse: 8 rooms	Country	Sri Lanka
Price Guide	Dbl: $215, HB	Open	All year


DISTANCES	Airport: 160km	Nearest Shops: 2km	Nearest restaurant: 0.1km	Beach: 100km