Our opinion
Serene Pavilions - 'If you are looking for the ultimate luxury houtique hotel by the beach in Sri Lanka, this is it - indulgent, very private and the service is divine. A really special treat. Ideal for tranquillity and romance.'
Hotel description
Set amidst a 7-acre coconut grove, beautifully landscaped lawns and water lily pools, Serene Pavilions offers a peaceful haven from the outside world and wonderful Indian Ocean views. Designed with adults in mind (only 15 year-olds and above are welcome), guests are treated to attentive yet discreet butler service, enjoying the luxuries of their own ‘Pavilion’ as well as the hotel’s restaurant, bar, swimming pool, tennis court, and beautiful grounds. Stepping-stone pathways weave through the gardens to the twelve Sri Lankan and Balinese-style Pavilions, each with their own plunge pool and sundeck, bedroom with four-poster bed and separate living/sitting room. Beneath each red-tiled roof, the high ceilings and airy open-plan design offer a true sense of space and luxury, with rich, exotic furnishings and polished teak floorboards. The tropical grounds are home to a colourful assortment of butterflies and lotus flowers, and monitor lizards bathing under the sprinklers. Days at Serene Pavilions are spent relaxing on your private sundeck or by the central swimming pool with its unique Jacuzzi beds, taking a stroll along the golden sandy beach or enjoying a tailor-made treatment from therapists at the Serenity Spa. Each evening, the doors of the bar and restaurant are thrown open to a panoramic view of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean. Buy fresh fish and seafood from the local fisherman and let the chef teach you how to cook your own dinner, with an innovative Sri Lankan touch. Serene Pavilions allows guests to get away from it all in a natural and luxurious setting. It is also conveniently situated, only 30 kms from Colombo and a 2-hour drive from the international airport, with some interesting day excursions possibilities such as along the south-west coast to historic Galle.
Official star rating
no rating
Distance from airport
About 2 hours by car
Room types
Number of bedrooms 12 Pavilions
All rooms have:
Private pool with timber deck, Balinese-style Bale for shaded outdoor dining, Bathroom with Jacuzzi and separate shower, 24-hour personal butler, Butler’s pantry and kitchenette, Mini-bar, Air-conditioning, Home entertainment system including TV, iPod, DVD, CD, Safe, WiFi access, Telephone.
Description of each Room type
Type A One-bedroom Garden Pavilion. Located in its own walled garden near the hotel swimming pool, all on one level.
Type B Two-bedroom Garden Pavilion (based on a group of 4 people sharing the Pavilion). An additional second bedroom that opens onto the patio on the far side of the living room. This second bedroom has two single beds and its en-suite bathroom only has a shower cubicle (no Jacuzzi bath).
Type C Two-bedroom Garden Pavilion (based on two people sharing the Pavilion).
Type D Ocean Pavilion (one-bedroom). Private plunge pool with sun deck and shaded sitting area and outdoor shower, and a walled garden. Dining/sitting room with home-entertainment system. The first floor houses a bedroom, study, dressing room, and bathroom.
Hotel facilities and services
The Pavilions Restaurant
Amritha Bar
Central swimming pool with 4 underwater Jacuzzi beds
Reading room with books, games and DVDs
Serenity Ayurveda Spa (in-room treatments and a Spa Pavilion)
Wifi access
Complimentary
Fresh fruit basket on arrival
Private butler service
Unlimited still drinking water
Use of the gym and tennis court (rackets and balls)
Weekly sunset cocktails
Unsecured WiFi access
Land sports
Clay tennis court
Air-conditioned gym
Out and aboutnearby/local interest
Local interest Fishing communities along the coast, local life, Bolgoda lake, Gangatilaka Vihara Temple (Kalutara), Richmond Castle, Brief Garden (nr Bentota), Colombo for shopping and sightseeing,
Excursions further afield: 72 kms to the historic city of Galle – with its Dutch Fort;
72 kms to Ratnapura, the city of gems famous for Sri Lankan cornflower blue sapphires;
140 kms to the famous inland city of Kandy – renowned for its Temple of The Tooth.
Nearest shops and restaurants outside the hotel: There are shops in the towns of Panadura (4 kms) and Kalutara (12 kms), in Wadduwa and on the main Galle Road. There are a few basic local restaurants nearby but it is advisable to go to the other hotels in the Wadduwa area if you want to eat out.
Sports nearby
Golf at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (1 hour drive). Watersports at Bentota (50 minutes drive).
Children
Only guests aged 15 years old and above are welcome
Minimum stays
A minimum stay of 5 nights is required during the Festive Season (20 December to 10 January)
Other information
Standard Category Luxury – Indulgence.
The hotel is not suitable for disabled guests.
Special Interest at Serene Pavilions:
Weddings
Honeymoons & Romance
Beach holidays
Spa & Wellbeing
Luxury hideaway
Special Events
Cricket World Cup:(February/March 2011).
The hotel will be pleased to arrange tickets and transport to see one of the cricket matches to be played in Colombo, subject to availa