In a world where travel has become more about experiences than mere sightseeing, Serendipity Retreats redefines hospitality by offering exclusive, experiential stays in Sri Lanka’s most captivating destinations. Each property is a masterpiece seamlessly blending luxury, nature, and culture—to create unforgettable journeys for the discerning traveller.
Whether you seek serene lakeside solitude, a historic fort hideaway, birdlife havens, or an off-the-grid cave retreat, Serendipity Retreats crafts immersive experiences that go beyond the ordinary.
Unique Properties, Unmatched Experiences
From a luxury cave hotel to a flamingo-fronted sanctuary, each of our six retreats is designed to immerse guests in Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes.
Perched in the misty Hanthana Mountain range, Dendrobium House is a six suite hill country boutique hotel, with breathtaking views of Sri Lanka’s Highlands. Thoughtfully designed in a contemporary colonial style with interiors by renowned architect Channa Daswatte, this luxurious house is a home away from home.
Guests are treated to an exquisite farm to table culinary experience, with homegrown three course menus and a signature high tea to die for.
A property unlike any other, The Cavern is built into a cave within a high-elevation 50-acre forest in Agarapathana. Once an abandoned tea plantation, the replanted cloud forest now houses a luxury three bedroom villa set into the cave. The villa features balconies, modern amenities, and stunning interiors. Guests enjoy full board stays with curated menus showcasing seasonal local produce.
The only luxury hotel in Mannar, Palmyrah House is hidden amidst nature in the middle of Mannar island, the gateway to the North. The 14 bedroom hotel is well appointed with a full suite of facilities for the whole family including a swimming pool, gym, library, bicycles, conference centre and breezy restaurant that specialises in Northern cuisine. The locally hired and long-standing team is always on call to take care of all your needs with attention and care.
A classic home offering a genuine flavour of Sri Lanka’s culture and heritage, 32 Middle Street a three bedroom villa is enveloped within the vibrant Galle Fort; combining historic charm with modern luxuries. Take meandering walks through cobblestoned streets and rediscover the picturesque Galle heritage city, shop for the day’s freshest seafood or explore the bustling restaurant, bar and cultural scene of the fort.
Along the South Coast, Villa Thuya is located in the coastal town of Balapitiya. Featuring a captivating ocean backdrop, an outdoor pool with a natural rock formation and sweeping ocean views, this three bedroom luxurious villa offers private access to a boulder beach. End a perfect day with evening tea or drinks on the boulders as the sun sets.
Lying between the main Northern and Southern Bolgoda lakes, Lilypod is only a short drive south of the capital city, making it the ideal getaway spot for families, groups and hosting special events. This tranquil home is built to flawlessly blend in with its surrounding environment; featuring expansive lake and garden views, a swimming pool and luxurious living spaces.
For those looking for a unique event venue, Dendrobium House in the hills and Lily Pod by the lake are ideal locations for weddings, special occasions and executive retreats.
Deep Connection with Nature
The Cavern has been crafted into a natural cave hotel within a Rolex Award winning cloud forest surrounded by tea plantations. Providing the perfect environment for a flourishing eco-system featuring abundant birdlife, native and highland flora, reptiles, fishing cats and roaming leopards. Guests can experience close encounters with these stunning creatures through estate tours, nocturnal tours and highland hiking around the property.
Within The Cavern guests can also relax into the serenity with a naturally heated spa pool, sauna and massage therapy room. Evenings are most often spent sharing adventures from the day around the stylish feature living room fireplace or around the outdoor fire pit.
Dendrobium House is located just 3 kilometers from the start of The Pekoe Trail, a 300km trek through highlands and tea plantations, recently named one of Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025. The inhouse naturalist is on hand to navigate guests through the trail and to the best view points, the walk culminating with a scenic picnic and a Defender return journey.
For the more adventurous, challenging hikes up Uragala and Katusa Konda Mountain reward hikers with stunning morning views across the plantations and out toward the Central Highlands. A supreme location for photographers and content creators.
The vast gardens of Dendrobium House are home to over 100 species of birdlife, kaleidoscopes of butterflies, well manicured lawns, flower beds and towering ancient trees. The feature birdcage suspended above the staircase houses a coterie of dendrobiums, these delicate orchids also surround the spacious verandahs of the hotel.
Both The Cavern and Dendorbium House feature organic farms, offering farm-to-table dining with ingredients harvested just steps away. Guests can join naturalist-guided tours to learn about sustainable farming, participate in traditional farming practices and taste the produce championed in daily menus. The produce including coffee, local green leafy vegetables, rice
varietals, tomatoes, chilies, root vegetables, mulberries and fresh eggs are also available for fortnightly delivery to Colombo through Totum Farms.
Palmyrah House in Mannar is well known to avid birdwatchers worldwide. The hotel is built along a winding pathway, perfectly blending with the natural environment that surrounds it. The uninterrupted treescape and surrounding marshland are perfect for spotting migratory and native bird varieties.
The purpose built 500 metre platform that traverses through the adjoining marshland provides hutches for bird photography and mesmerizing stargazing through telescopes on a clear night.
During November to May, Mannar witnesses the colourful spectacle of flamingo migration. Naturalist guided flamingo spotting is available for inhouse guests lucky enough to experience the phenomenon.
Villa Thuya is located right on the unique bolder beach of Balapitiya that neighbours the Madhu Ganga, a preserved wildlife sanctuary and a complex wetland ecosystem. The river intertwines itself amongst cinnamon estates, mangroves, marshlands and scattered inhabited islands with residents showcasing traditional cinnamon farming and processing.
A boat safari along the river gives guests the opportunity to witness this significant waterway that is home to approximately 303 species of plants belonging to 95 families and 248 species of vertebrate animals.
The neighbouring coastline is a must for keen divers wanting to explore the wrecks and reefs filled with aquatic life in Bentota, Beruwela, Hikkadauwa and beyond. Hotspots include Canoe Rock and Hundirangala.
Mangrove & lake adventures are plentiful at Lilypod, Bolgoda. The five bedroom villa’s expansive deck overlooks the Bolgoda Lake and a private pier provides direct lake access, an ideal location to observe the movements of this biodiversity hotspot.
Jet skis, kayaks, and boats are available at the villa, allowing guests to discover the wonders of the mangroves along the lake. Fishing excursions are also available for those hoping to catch Wild Golden Barramundi and robust Mangrove Jack.
For those who prefer to stay on land, the surrounding tropical gardens of heliconia and birds-of-paradise varieties are a delight to wander before a dip in the pool.
Though centrally located in the Galle Fort, 32 Middle Street provides plenty of wildlife encounters and adventures both within the property and among the surrounding villages.
The tree sheltered courtyard pool welcomes friendly monkeys who like to put on a show as well as the spectacle of visiting peacocks in full plume prancing along the villa roof.
The stunning South Coast beaches provide world class snorkeling, diving and the once in life time opportunity to spot blue whale, sperm whale and frolicking dolphins in their natural habitat.
Koggala Lake, a short drive away from Galle, is the largest lagoon in Southern Sri Lanka and home to an abundance of birdlife and reptiles and winds around some of the best cinnamon plantations in the country.
Your Extraordinary Escape Awaits
Serendipity Retreats isn’t just about where you stay—it’s about how you experience Sri Lanka. Each property is a gateway to adventure, relaxation, and discovery, designed for travelers who crave authenticity with indulgence.
Ready to write your own story? Explore our retreats and book your journey at Serendipity Retreats.
Luxury. Nature. Serendipity.
www.serendipityretreats.com
+94 777 776 065 – Palmyrah House
+94 772 085 314 – 32 Middle Street, Villa Thuya, Lilypod
+94 771 111 135 – Dendrobium House & The Cavern operations@serendipityretreats.com
