Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to The Notary's House, Negombo and Sri Lanka's West Coast
Facts in brief
Location near Negombo
Closest airport Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport
Distance from airport Around an hour’s drive away
Hotel facilities and services
Dining Area, Pool, Garden, Bike Rental, Guided Walks, Trips to the Local Temple, Board Games, Garden Games.
Out and about nearby
The coastal city of Negombo, with its well-known fish market, is less than an hour’s drive away. Likewise, Dambadeniya is nearby, with its ancient kingdom and museum. The hotel also arranges trips to the local temple.
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Standard room
From about
Holiday Code EXH46760
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to The Notary's House, Negombo and Sri Lanka's West Coast
The Notary’s House is a boutique hotel with 6 rooms, large gardens, and a coconut grove. Its location is both scenic and convenient, being both under an hour from the airport and only half an hour away from Negombo, as well as overlooking a picturesque lake (able to be viewed from each room’s balcony). The design harmonises the traditional and the modern and showcases antique furniture and batik fabrics. Guests can indulge in both Sri Lankan and western cuisine, with seasonal foods being served, and meals can also be enjoyed in the garden’s pavilion. Take a dip in the pool, play board games and garden games, take part in guided walks and trips to the nearby temple, cycle the local area or explore the ancient kingdom of Dambadeniya.
Room descriptions
The Notary’s House has 6 rooms. Two of the upper floor rooms are interconnected, so can be made into a Family Suite upon request.
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Standard room
From about
Holiday Code EXH46760
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to The Notary's House, Negombo and Sri Lanka's West Coast
The journey and how you get there
Most of the stays at The Notary’s House are part of a longer touring itinerary in Sri-Lanka, accompanied by driver-guide but a stay here could be combined with another hotel in this region or another to make a two-centre holiday.
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Standard room
From about
Holiday Code EXH46760
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to The Notary's House, Negombo and Sri Lanka's West Coast
About Negombo and west coast
An Expressions holiday to Sri Lanka's Negombo offers travellers the chance to experience Sri Lankan heritage and culture. Negombo is an important fishing town with Portuguese and Dutch colonial heritage. It is also a popular holiday destination because of its proximity to the international airport and its beachfront location. Due to the Portuguese influx back in the 16th century, the inhabitants are predominantly Catholic. The country’s Dutch legacy is seen in the remains of the grand Dutch Fort and the Dutch canal (now called Hamilton Canal) which runs from Colombo to Chilaw via Negombo. Although large parts of the canal are in disrepair, it is being revived and you can see gaily-painted boats using it as a waterway. The beaches at Negombo are wide and good for beach walking, although it is a struggle to keep them clean as urban debris washes ashore daily. The currents can be strong here, so it is better to swim in the hotel pool. It is fascinating to see how the fishing industry dominates life in coastal Negombo - the fish market, the auctions, the stalls along the beach. The tourist resort area of Negombo, known as the Golden Mile, caters to a wide spectrum of holidaymakers on a range of budgets, mostly the mid to the lower end. It’s lively at night and has bars, restaurants, tourist shops and fashion outlets, selling everything from flip-flops to colourful batiks and handlooms.
Highlights of Negombo
For nature lovers and birdwatchers there are the Muthurajawela wetlands where four varieties of kingfisher are frequently seen, as well as Negombo Lagoon. Offshore wrecks and a reef provide spots for diving (November to April, when the seas are calmer). PADI instructors, some other water sports and fishing trips are also available. Whale-watching and dolphin-watching boat trips are possible further north off Kalpitya, though this is a 3-4 hours drive away.
Cultural highlights of Negombo
In and around Negombo there are plenty of things to see and do: Dutch Fort remains; St Mary’s Church; Angurukaramulla Buddhist temple (murals); Fish markets, fishing boats and port; Select fresh seafood for your lunch or dinner; The Dutch canal (called Hamilton canal) and Maha Oya river – boat trip; Muthurajawela wetlands and Negombo Lagoon for birdwatching and nature; Some water sports and diving; November to April; Fishing; Tourist shops and restaurants (mostly mid-lower end), fashion shops; Inland to the archaeological site of Dambadeniya; Sri Lanka’s commercial capital of Colombo is 40 km away, offering a range of shops, restaurants and sightseeing.
Climate in Negombo
With daytime temperatures of between 26° C and 33° C, Negombo is hot and humid, though sea breezes cool and refresh the air. The evenings are slightly cooler. The main monsoon brings unsettled weather between May and August.
Travel around Negombo and Sri Lanka
We include private transfers with all our holidays to Sri Lanka, and a personal chauffer with all our touring holidays. Driving Distances: Negombo to Colombo International Airport: 20 minutes, Negombo to Sigiriya: 3 – 3.5 hours, Negombo to Kandy: 3.5 hours, Negombo to Colombo: 1-1.5 hours.
