Near Dambulla Cave Temple, Kalundewa Retreat offers a tranquil haven. Discover the lodge's lush garden and unwind in the library or take advantage of hiking and biking excursions. Indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, savor international cuisine at The Treehouse restaurant, or relax by the outdoor pool.
Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium - 17 min drive - 12.4 km
Popham's Arboretum - 18 min drive - 10.6 km
Ancient City of Sigiriya - 38 min drive - 30.9 km
Sigiriya Museum - 39 min drive - 31.3 km
Getting around
Airport shuttle (surcharge)
Restaurants
Gami Gedara - 14 min drive
Kanchana Restaurant - 26 min drive
kashyapa - 26 min drive
Pizza Hut - 15 min drive
Kandy Liqour Restaurant - 16 min drive
About this property
Kalundewa Retreat
At Kalundewa Retreat, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Dambulla Cave Temple. You can visit the spa to indulge in facials or aromatherapy, and international cuisine is served at The Treehouse, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other features of this luxurious lodge include an outdoor pool, a bar/lounge, and free bike rentals.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
6 rooms
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Express check-in/out available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is noon
Contactless check-out available
DONE
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Children
No cribs (infant beds)
DONE
Pets
No pets or service animals allowed
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free onsite self parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
Electric vehicle charging point on site
DONE
Transfers
Airport shuttle*
DONE
Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
Food and drink
English breakfast (surcharge) each morning 7:00 AM–10:30 AM
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
Barbecue grills
Private dining
24-hour room service
Traveling with children
Children's menu
What to do
Yoga classes
Hiking/biking trails
Kayaking
Ecotours nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Safari nearby
Fishing nearby
Services
24-hour front desk
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Luggage storage
Free bicycle rentals
Facilities
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Library
Television in common areas
Mosquito nets
An outdoor pool
Full-service spa
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Room amenities
Home comfort
Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Minibar
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Bathrobes and slippers
Iron/ironing board (on request)
Sleep well
Soundproofed rooms
Premium bedding
Freshen up
Shower/tub combination
Rainfall showerhead
Bidet
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels
Stay connected
Desk
Free newspapers
Free WiFi
Food and drink
Refrigerator
Free bottled water
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe (laptop compatible)
Special features
Spa
Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the lodge's full-service spa. Services include facials, body scrubs, and body treatments. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy.
Dining
The Treehouse - This restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. A children's menu is available.
Fees & policies
Mandatory fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges by the property at check-in or check-out. Fees may include applicable taxes:
Christmas Eve (December 24) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 100
Christmas Eve (December 24) Gala Dinner per child: USD 50 (from 8 to 12 years old)
New Year's Eve (December 31) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 100
New Year's Eve (December 31) Gala Dinner per child: USD 50 (from 8 to 12 years old)
Optional extras
English breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately USD 25 for adults and USD 12.50 for children
Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge
Children & extra beds
Rollaway beds are available for USD 25.0 per day
Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments and can be made by contacting the property before arrival at the number on the booking confirmation
Policies
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit on site.
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Union Pay
Also known as
Kalundewa Retreat Lodge Dambulla
Kalundewa Retreat Lodge
Kalundewa Retreat Dambulla
Kalundewa Retreat
Kalundewa Retreat Lodge
Kalundewa Retreat Dambulla
Kalundewa Retreat Lodge Dambulla
Frequently asked questions
Does Kalundewa Retreat offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Kalundewa Retreat does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at Kalundewa Retreat?
Yes, there's an outdoor pool.
Are pets allowed at Kalundewa Retreat?
Sorry, pets and service animals aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Kalundewa Retreat?
Yes, there's free self parking. Electric vehicle charging is available.
Is airport shuttle service offered by Kalundewa Retreat?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Kalundewa Retreat?
You can check in starting at 2:00 PM. Check-out time is noon. Express check-in and check-out and contactless check-out are available.
What is there to do at Kalundewa Retreat and nearby?
Have fun with onsite activities like kayaking, cycling, and hiking. Additional recreation onsite includes yoga. Indulge in a treatment at the spa and enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool. Kalundewa Retreat also has spa services and a picnic area, as well as a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Kalundewa Retreat?
Yes, The Treehouse offers international cuisine.
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Reviews
Reviews
8.0
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
7.8
Cleanliness
6.8
Amenities
9.0
Staff & service
8.0
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 7, 2026
Kalundewa retreat is a beautiful boutique hotel experience in a serene and relaxed setting. The rooms are large and spacious and the food is excellent. The staff went out of their way to attend to our every need. The service we received was exceptional. I would highly recommend staying at this hotel.
Dr Zaid Yousuf
Dr Zaid Yousuf, 3-night trip
Verified
2/10 Poor
Jan 11, 2026
Unfortunately the room was full of mould. The place was very run down and there was mice. Amongst other issues.
The staff were so kind and attentive and were very apologetic when we had to ask for our room cleaned.
The food did not match the property at all, it was so tasty and amazing
Jennifer
Jennifer, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 30, 2025
Wow. Luxurious property with the friendliest staff. The food was everything was picked from their farm. So fresh, generous portions, and organic! Our stay was simply amazing. We stayed in both the Floating Villa, and then the Bankee Chalet. Highly reccomend. Everyone in that visits Sri Lanka should come here.
Stephanie
Stephanie, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 22, 2024
Beautiful peaceful property in the middle of nature room with plunge pool was spectacular! Take a bike ride around the rice fields and see so many beautiful birds. I will come back and stay longer next time!
Shannon
Shannon, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 31, 2024
Hidden gem of a place
The place is serene and simply stunning.
If you want to have a relaxing holiday, not doing much but hanging out by the swimming pool, cycling around rice fields, enjoying locally produced organic vegetable meals away from crowds of tourists and being attended to by friendly staff - here is your spot.
It is in the midst of the nature so if you have limited tolerance to wild life, maybe reconsider, but I consider such place in this world today as a hidden gem.
It was a perfect get away for us and would love to come back again.
Verified traveler
3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 25, 2025
We had a very particular Nil room.
You have to reach the and leave the room with a boat. To get out from the room you need to contact the reception with wifi which was not available all the time .This made a challenging stay and also very particular.You are in the nature .As all is widows it might be a little bit hot in day time. Altogether very particular stay with a very attentive staff .
Marcel
Marcel, 1-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Feb 4, 2026
The staff were incredibly kind and abundantly helpful throughout our stay — warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which made a significant difference.
The food was exceptional — Michelin‑star quality.
Significant, however, is the retreat’s confused identity — marketed as eco‑luxury, but in reality far closer to an eco‑lodge, with a few luxury touches and many rough edges. The property is over 20 years old, and this shows in both maintenance and overall finish. These issues have clearly been raised by previous guests, yet meaningful corrections do not appear to have been made, instead leaving frontline staff to manage potentially difficult conversations (especially about different beverage options). This feels less like oversight and more like a conscious failure to address known problems and to potentially deceive guests.
On a human level, this is unfair to staff, who work tirelessly to make stays special. Management appeared chaotic, with little evidence of clear systems or processes. As guests, we were confused on what options were available to us during our stay.
Overall: a serene setting with wonderful staff and exceptional dining, but ultimately overpriced for the level of polish, organisation, and transparency. Without significant correction to the business model and management approach, the current trajectory feels ill‑fated — which would be a real tragedy, at the very least for the staff who work so hard and genuinely care about guests.
Marc
Marc, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 11, 2026
Everything was in excellent condition
Gayani
Gayani, 1-night trip
Verified
4/10 Fair
Jan 11, 2026
The food was not satisfactory, the amenities are not in good condition, and the room shows considerable signs of wear and tear.
Ashani
Ashani, 1-night trip
Verified
2/10 Poor
Jul 24, 2024
Very bad smell in the bath area.
Upper floor guest made huge noise and spoiled our stay.
Since the upper floor is timber, it's better if you avoid this combination.
It was nice place
RANJITH
RANJITH, 2-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Nov 26, 2018
Incredible ground, but a strange hotel. Trying to be boutique but distinctly average. Food was below par - especially considering the cost. Pretty sure it was pre processed out of a packet (in cubes) but described as fresh. Yuk.
The room also felt dated even though it tried to seem modern. The massive grounds (with various unique animals) was a plus, but the fact that almost nobody else seemed to be at the hotel made it feel lonely - and weird.
A shame really.
T
T, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Feb 22, 2020
Magical for nature lovers!
You are surrounded by nature, birds, animals, everywhere you look. The staff is very friendly, funny, and the service is excellent. The property is lush and gorgeous. Its a magical place! But, the facilities are close to 10 years old, and being that close to nature has its «downsides», if you are not REALLY into it. Even so, we loved our time there. Tip: order the local dishes on the menu;)
Jonas
Jonas, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 10, 2019
Amazing retreat in a conservation area!
My wife and I had an amazing stay at this retreat in an animal conservation area. We saw a huge variety of animals including birds, peacocks and monkeys! The room was very nice and a mosquito net was provided. All of the staff were very friendly and caring and I would definitely recommend a stay here!
Verified traveler
2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 25, 2019
The property is gorgeous, with mountain views across rice paddies. The staff is extremely sweet and will take you on nature walks throughout the property to spot birds and take a boat ride over the lake!
Verified traveler
4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 3, 2019
Beautiful location. Immersed in wildlife on this conservation site. Lovely staff with a very knowledgeable resident naturalist who took us on a bike tour of the local area- very knowledgeable about local biodiversity and sustainability. We were upgraded to a chalet which was very comfortable. We saw so much wildlife from the hornbills roosting near our chalet to monitor lizards, monkeys and sea eagles! The facilities borrow the landscape rather than dominate and its not the sort of place for free cocktails and extensive buffet dining either. The local food choices such as curry and rice are delicious - the more western dishes are fine but i woukd stick to sri lankan dishes which they are keen to cook. The chef cooked us an off menu dish of fish he had got from the market which was lovely! If you love nature and simple luxury you'll love Kalendewa.