Polwaththa Eco Lodges, pronounced "pol'watha," offers 15 lodges spread across a beautiful natural setting, providing a true "Living-in-the-Jungle" experience. Each lodge ensures basic comfort, great views, and privacy. Guests can enjoy activities like yoga, local cooking lessons, and various treks through nature, rice fields, tea plantations, and the scenic Knuckles Mountains. Meals are authentic Sri Lankan dishes cooked on a hearth in clay pots, served with warm hospitality by local staff, offering a true taste of village culture.
About Polwaththa Eco-Lodges
Polwaththa Eco Lodges, established in 2010, was created to offer guests an authentic experience of rural life in Sri Lanka while benefiting the local community. The ideal location had to be close enough to the tourist trail yet remote, with a pleasant climate, pristine surroundings, and a welcoming village. This vision led to the owner’s ancestral village, just 19 km from Kandy, which provided the perfect setting. Starting humbly amidst challenges, Polwaththa Eco Lodges emerged as a pioneer in sustainable tourism, earning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for multiple years, thanks to dedicated local staff and positive guest reviews.
The lodges continue to adapt to changing tourism trends, aiming to provide not just an enjoyable stay but also a meaningful experience rooted in spiritual values rather than material excess. This approach seeks to inspire guests to embrace a sustainable way of life, benefiting both current and future generations.
The project began as a family vision, led by Nihal, who brought his extensive experience in tourism to establish a sustainable ecotourism venture. From the outset, strong ties were formed with the local villagers, fostering mutual learning and collaboration. The local community plays a key role in planning and implementing new projects, with staff trained to confidently engage with guests, offering a unique, authentic connection to Sri Lankan culture. Remarkably, despite traditional challenges, nearly 30% of the team of 17 consists of women.
Nihal’s wife, Nel, has contributed significantly to reforestation efforts, nature-based trek development, and the promoting of local crafts. Her passion for nature and commitment to sustainability have driven the success of projects like planting 700 trees since 2016, with 70% thriving despite difficult weather.
Adding a global perspective are Nihal’s son Remon and his wife Freya, who have gradually taken over the property. Remon, educated in Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, blends European professionalism with Sri Lankan cultural roots. Together, they carry forward the legacy of Polwaththa Eco Lodges, which has been in the family since the early 20th century, ensuring a seamless integration of international tastes and local traditions.
Philosophy and Projects
At Polwaththa, 80% of the staff come from nearby villages, receiving above-average wages and access to personal savings accounts to promote better financial planning. Staff and villagers are actively involved in project decisions, while guests are encouraged to plant trees and support local schools, education, and community projects through initiatives like the Forest Healing Foundation.
The lodges are constructed using locally sourced materials, with supplies purchased from shops within a 5 km radius. Organic coffee is grown, roasted, and sourced locally, empowering women and farmers in the area. In 2020, Eko Land Produce was introduced, exporting over 10 spices to Europe and the USA.
Sustainability practices include composting food waste, recycling plastic and glass, and conserving resources with solar panels and well water. A community shop highlights and sells locally crafted goods and clothing, providing essential income for artisans in the community.
Location
Polwaththa Eco Lodges is situated 19 km east of Kandy, within the Digana Centre district. It is conveniently located 15 miles from Bogambara Stadium and Kandy City Center Shopping Mall and 7.5 miles from Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Victoria Reservoir Kandy Seaplane Base Airport is 9.3 miles away, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
The lodges are close enough for day tours to popular sites like Kandy City, Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Wasgamuwa, while still providing a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush greenery and traditional village life.
