W15 Ambuluwawa: If heaven was a place on earth

• Latest boutique hotel from W15 Collection opens on 1 November

By Uma Chandrasiri

A hotel with a beautiful view is a dime a dozen. A hotel with a breath-taking 360-degree view is a rarity but still not impossible 

to find. 

What my travel-loving soul experienced while taking in the sublime view that surrounded this amazing hotel was more than the scenery that took my breath away, it was an utter stillness of being, of peace that transcends quiet, of a yearning to let go of all my cares and just stay here. The hotel W15 Ambuluwawa is indeed a rare find, a gem that has recently been added to adorn the stunning necklace that is the W15 Collection of hotels, a group of luxury hotels dotted across some of the most breath-taking locations of Sri Lanka, offering immersive, luxurious and memorable stays for the discerning traveller.

This wondrous hotel is perched on an outcrop of land just a kilometre away from the iconic Ambuluwawa tower, Sri Lanka’s first multi-cultural centre and 40-minute drive from Kandy. It is created as a symbol of harmony with the presence of a temple, kovil, church and mosque standing shoulder to shoulder.

“This is the first presence of the boutique hotel within the Ambuluwawa biodiversity project” said W15 Collection Head of Sales Nadeera Fernando.

Designed with responsibility to the surroundings and sustainability at its core, W15 Ambuluwawa has been built to minimise the environmental impact. This stunning hotel offers a master suite, four deluxe rooms and three standard rooms, all designed with care that affords a view of the surrounding mountains. “We are immensely proud of what we have created at W15 Ambuluwawa. This is one of the most breath-taking locations we have ever unearthed,” said W15 Collection Chairman Hardy Jamaldeen.

“Our floor to ceiling windows are like a frame of a spectacular painting and walking into the hotel and into a room will feel like you are stepping into a piece of art,” he added.

Not just satisfied with offering its customers a beautiful hotel with an ever changing sublime view, W15 Collection aims to ensure the highest levels of service standards with a large staff cadre and a personal butler assigned to each room. The dining experience at Ambuluwawa, as we experienced first-hand, will also be extraordinary, where guests could enjoy Italian inspired al fresco dining made with fresh local produce, while a colourful backdrop of verdant hills, slumbering clouds and the cool breeze and birdsong adds a touch of drama to every meal. The exceptional and highly thoughtful design of this hotel encompasses a sky deck offering 360 degree views, an infinity pool that aligns beautifully with the sunrise and a patio where one could sit with a sundowner or a glass of wine to be enthralled by the artist that is nature, as she paints the sky with vivid abandon while the sun says goodbye to the day.

If, and this is a very big if, this splendour and peace is not your cup of tea and you crave adventure, they also have that covered. Just a 10-minute tuk ride away from the hotel, is an adventure park, a monster swing and a man-made lake, offering fun and excitement as well as relaxation as the hotel also organises evening picnics by the lake. A helipad awaits the clientele who could afford to avoid the winding roads and fly to Ambuluwawa. The W15 Collection has truly set the bar high in terms of delighting the customer.

Opening its doors on 1 November 2024, W15 Ambuluwawa awaits, like a mother with everything to give, for you to be encompassed with the love and peace she offers.