TRI Hotel, Lake Koggala

Naturally nestled amongst lush verdant tree tops, fringing the shore line of Koggala Lake in the south of Sri Lanka, you’ll find our new favourite luxury eco-retreat – Tri. Here you’ll experience a world of totality and tranquillity. With a sustainable core, Tri features living walls, green roofs, solar-powered hot water, recycled wood and is made entirely of local materials that help unify accommodations and landscape – so you can rest assured that your stay is having as little impact on the landscape as possible. A world away from the hustle and bustle of commercial life, here you can camouflage yourself and be truly nurtured by nature. With only 11 rooms this is the perfect Sri Lankan sanctuary to unwind and be inspired by the contemporary cutting-edge design created courtesy of award-winning architect Raefer Wallis and photographer Rob Drummond.

Location

Tri can be reached by private transfer via an 85-minute drive down the Colombo Expressway from the capital. Your adventure begins on the lake, as you cross over to the main hotel by boat. Being a wellness retreat, as soon as you arrive it’s time to immerse yourself in an array of exciting and enriching tours. Discover the atmospheric streets of the historic Galle Fort on foot. Take a trip to the Ceylon tea plantations and amble amongst the ancient temples. Meanwhile, seasonal whale watching is perfect for the more adventurous spirit. Or hire a kayak and embark on a scenic paddle along the coast or hop on a bicycle and lose yourself amongst the undulating countryside. For those who like to take things a little easier, you can relax by the spectacular infinity pool and simply soak in the views.

Your room

Scattered across this six acre garden of Eden, you’ll find 11 rooms and villas. Each carefully curated villa feels like your own tropical tree house, boasting breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and jungle. These chic clean-cut lines and minimalist furnishings do nothing to distract from the leafy vistas. Look forward to enjoying an alfresco breakfast on your own private veranda whilst being serenaded by the exotic bird song. We love the Lake Villa’s private pool, where after a long day exploring the region you can retreat to your private pool for a dip. Or for something a little different, hole up in the Water Tower that’s made from local cinnamon-wood cladding.

Why we like it

We love Tri’s wellness credentials. Start the day by immersing yourself in the landscape with a treetop yoga class, guaranteed to nourish your body and melt all your worries away. Having spent the day exploring your personal paradise you’ll be ready to unwind in Tri’s majestic 21m infinity pool stretching out towards the lake. Breathe in the balmy air, savour the sunsets and dine under the stars as you enjoy local Sri Lankan delights with a healthy twist. We loved the fresh flavours from the beautifully plated 6 course offering.

Sustainability

Tri Lanka’s incorporation of eco-friendly design has taken the hotel to another level of sustainability. The hotel was built using all local materials and recycled wood. And there’s more. The hotel is a plastic-free zone, LED light and solar arrays have been introduced and even the boat is electric.