Uga Riva

Negombo, Sri Lanka

Destinations

Sri Lanka

Accommodation

Uga Riva

There are few finer ways to begin or conclude a journey through Sri Lanka than by surrendering to the timeless charm of a beautifully restored manor house.

Uga Riva, set within a five-acre coconut estate just 30 minutes north of Colombo’s international airport, offers a serene retreat that evokes the grandeur of a bygone era while ensuring effortless modern comfort. For nearly two centuries, this graceful ancestral home belonged to a prominent family of merchants, with one of its most celebrated visitors being Mahatma Gandhi, who planted a tree in the garden during his stay in the 1920s.

The mansion, enhanced over the years by renowned Sri Lankan artists, retains its colonial elegance with pillared verandas, graceful arches, and a tranquil courtyard pond while seamlessly incorporating contemporary refinements. Set amidst lush tropical gardens, Uga Riva is designed for relaxation and quiet indulgence. Whether unwinding by the inviting swimming pool, taking in the shade of towering coconut palms, or enjoying the hospitality of a home that has welcomed guests for generations, this is a place where history and comfort converge.

What we love

A historic manor near Negombo offering a serene retreat close to Colombo’s international airport
Spacious rooms and personalised service ensure a comfortable stay.
Beautiful tropical gardens and a palm-fringed pool enhance the tranquil atmosphere.

There are a limited number of rooms so early booking is recommended

Designed for relaxation, with fewer on-site activities

The hotel is tailored more to adult guests than families as the focus here is on peaceful relaxation.

Uga Riva is ideally located for transport links with Bandaranaike International Airport at Colombo being only 11km away, roughly a 30-minute drive. Negombo beach with its popular sandy shores is only 5km away from the hotel while the biodiversity of the Muthurajawela Wetlands, are only 15km away.

What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.

Roy Wood (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.

Alie C (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor

I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace

Daisy Stanton (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!

Andrew S (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor

Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North East India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.

Martin Thomas (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference

Sandra Nicholson (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.

Jayant Banerji (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.

Phil Blair ( February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

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