About this hotel
General information
Water Garden Sigiriya spreads across some 38 acres at Indigaswewa, a short distance from Sigiriya Rock in the heart of the Cultural Triangle. The idea draws on the ancient water gardens of the region: channels and streams thread between the villas, meadows open out between them and ponds and lakes catch the sky. There are only 30 villas, placed across the landscape so that each has room, quiet and a garden of its own, with Sigiriya Rock close by.
The architect-designed villas are part of that waterscape: generous interiors with sitting rooms, broad decks with sunbeds, and Deluxe Villas that stand partly over the water. Seventeen of them have their own pool with a Jacuzzi. The resort suits travellers who want to take the ancient cities slowly and spend time in nature: a naturalist leads walks across the grounds and safaris into Minneriya National Park, and in the evening Kamatha sets its tables among torchlit paddy fields.
Location
The resort lies at Indigaswewa, a few kilometres from Sigiriya Rock, with Indigaswewa lake just beyond its boundary. Dambulla (20 km) is about 30 minutes by road, Minneriya National Park (30 km) about 45 minutes, Polonnaruwa (52 km) around 1 hour 10 minutes and Anuradhapura (64 km) 1 hour 20 minutes. The hotel arranges private airport transfers on request, as well as scheduled and charter Cinnamon Air flights into the Cultural Triangle.
Spa
Water Garden Sigiriya Spa sits among greenery, finished in warm, earthy tones. Its menu is built around Balinese massage and organic products, with signature rituals, Asian therapies, the spa's own Water Garden treatments, Ceylon Ayurveda rituals using traditional methods and natural ingredients, facials, body treatments and longer spa journeys, plus gentle Mama's Spa Rituals for expectant and new mothers. In the Yoga Shalas, instructors teach classical Hatha yoga in group and private sessions, alongside couple and family classes and guided meditation. There is also a gym set in the gardens.
Sports & leisure
- A 2.2 km nature trail across the grounds with a naturalist — wild bee colonies, peacocks, grey langurs, whistling ducks and basking crocodiles — with an optional walk to Indigaswewa lake for pelicans, cormorants and darters
- Naturalist-led safaris in Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks and Hurulu Eco Park, where hundreds of wild elephants gather in the dry season; night safaris and a night walk in search of the slender loris
- Morning and afternoon birding in the Sigiriya forests
- Guided visits to the 5th-century, UNESCO-listed rock fortress of Sigiriya, the Dambulla cave temple, the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura and the forest monastery of Ritigala; sunrise or sunset hikes up Pidurangala Rock
- Cycling along country lanes to Sigiriya, kayaking on Sigiriya lake (ages 10 and over) and archery
- Sunrise hot-air balloon flights from Kandalama (November to April, weather permitting)
- A cookery class that starts at the local market, a six-blend arrack pairing and a Sri Lankan cocktail class at the Twin Level Bar, and big-screen movie nights
For children
Junior Master Chef is a cooking class in which children make a Sri Lankan dish under a chef's eye and then sit down to eat it together. The Games Children Play introduces local pastimes — cricket, carrom, kite-making and paper lanterns — and Children Yoga & Game group sessions turn yoga into play.
Restaurants & bars
Most of the produce is sourced locally, and much of the cooking is based on organic ingredients.
- The Main Restaurant — international, farm-to-table cooking, served beneath a grand chandelier indoors or out in the open air; it also hosts cookery classes and tastings
- Kamatha — Sri Lankan dinners in a paddy field under the stars; its Paddy Tales evening is a set dinner with an arrack cocktail, torchlight and a traditional flute player
- Twin Level Bar — a two-tier bar with a terrace and an air-conditioned lounge, looking out towards Sigiriya Rock; handcrafted cocktails, bar bites, wines and spirits
In-villa dining runs around the clock; rates include breakfast, and half board is also offered.
Swimming
The Superior Deluxe Villa with Plunge Pool and Duplex Twin Villa with Plunge Pool each have a private pool with a Jacuzzi and a large deck with sunbeds; the Deluxe Villas sit partly over the water.
Rooms
The 30 villas come in three types — 13 Deluxe Villas, 13 Superior Deluxe Villas with Plunge Pool and 4 two-storey Duplex Twin Villas with Plunge Pool — each with generous interiors, a sitting room, a deck and a secluded garden set among water and greenery.
Every villa has air conditioning, satellite TV, a minibar, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, a safe, a telephone, a music dock, twin vanity basins, a freestanding bathtub and a rain shower, bathrobes and slippers, a deck with sunbeds and 24-hour room service.
Deluxe Villa
A one-bedroom villa with a king-size bed, a sitting room and a deck with sunbeds; it stands partly over the water and looks out over greenery.
Superior Deluxe Villa with Plunge Pool
A one-bedroom villa with a king-size bed and a sitting room, plus a private pool with a Jacuzzi and a spacious deck with sunbeds.
Duplex Twin Villa with Plunge Pool
A two-storey villa with two bedrooms — two single beds downstairs and a king-size bed upstairs — a sitting room, a private pool with a Jacuzzi and a deck; for up to four guests.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.