Personalised Villa Holidays
Personalised Villa Holidays
The Rivers House is the output of its owners’ dream of having an eco-friendly villa, combined with the great artistic vision of environmental architect Sunela Jayawardena. Built in 2008/2009, the three-bedroom weekend house is constructed from locally-sourced materials, such as timber and rattan.
The property sits on an active agricultural estate, purchased by a couple in 2003. Back then, the 4-acre farmland was deserted. It is now one of the two agricultural centres in Sri Lanka. The weekend house adopts an open-plan layout and lacks walls that aren’t part of the integral structure. So you can see the great outdoors from any corner of the house.
Located on a hillside area of Dambulla, The River House is privy to spectacular views of the Dambulu Oya River, while also being close to reach the famous Dambulla Cave Temple Complex by a few minutes’ drive. Additionally, you can also drive to Minneriya to see elephants at its national park.
The River House offers three bedrooms under its roof, all of which are open-air. Two of the bedrooms are located in the main house, while a small attachment to the villa houses another bedroom. The mattress in the living area means the room can also be converted into an additional bedroom, should the need arise. In addition to the roller mesh blinds, each bedroom’s bed has mosquito nets installed on its canopy, allowing guests to have a good night's sleep. To keep cool, each room has a ceiling fan installed, a sustainable alternative to air conditioners. There are two bathrooms built into the River House; one is located upstairs, while the downstairs one boasts a private outdoor shower.
The main feature of The River House is its swimming pool, filled with crystal clear water. During hotter days, you won’t be able to resist jumping in to cool off. On one side of the pool is the unroofed terrace, furnished with chairs, perfect for soaking in the morning sunshine. The roofed veranda, extending from the kitchen, is perfect for alfresco dining. The downstairs bathroom is mostly under the villa’s roof, but the shower that’s attached is located outdoors, its privacy guaranteed by natural-stone walls.
The villa’s open-plan living area is located upstairs. It is furnished with a long sofa with comfortable cushions and couch pillows, which is ideal for its use as a fourth bedroom if needed. The also open-plan dining area downstairs contains a long wooden table, with wooden benches running along both lengths of said table. There is a simple kitchen bench to prepare food on, next to the barbecue equipment. It is fitted with a ceiling fan to regulate the room’s temperature.
The rental includes a dedicated team of staff to make your stay at the villa enjoyable. Complimentary wifi is available for use at the property. In the 4-acre estate that surrounds The River House, there is a garden with a gazebo and a restaurant located nearby. The River House itself has a superb river view from upstairs. You can go out for a stroll and envelop yourself in the beauty of the surrounding nature.
As well as the stunning river view, The River House sits on a 4-acre agricultural estate. You can explore some areas of this land, or take a short drive to Dahaiya Kanda, a hiking spot. A further drive will bring you to a popular tourist site in Dambulla; the Royal Cave Temple Complex. Consisting of five cave monasteries, the complex dates back all the way back to the first century BCE. You can also join the bird-watching tours in the areas near the villa. If you travel further to Minneriya, there is a national park that houses elephants, where you can observe them.
The Villa Finder Concierge team takes care of guest experiences! We are your personal assistants on the ground and help you with anything and everything from the moment you book with us, at no extra charge.
| Period | Minimum stay | 3 bedrooms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/05/2026 01/11/2026 | Low season | 1 night | USD 544 |
| 01/11/2026 20/12/2026 | High season | 1 night | USD 679 |
| 20/12/2026 11/01/2027 | Peak season | 3 nights | USD 815 |
