meet nyuri

Ayubowan!
I’m Nyuri, the creator of Eraeliya Villas & Gardens.
Many years ago, I was very lucky to find this extraordinary place. Here, I am trying to combine my passion for interior design, art, gardening, holistic lifestyle, travel, and the immersion in different cultures. And I would like to share my love for Eraeliya Villas & Gardens with you. Relax in chic elegance, learn how to surf, practice yoga, meditate under the stars, and enjoy every minute of your stay.

As a person who loves traveling, adventure and discovering I have always been drawn to South Asia, particularly to Sri Lanka. On one such visit I discovered a piece of property that made my heart stop for a second, making me fall in love with it at first sight. Not being a person to ignore things which were destined for me, I found myself claiming this beautiful property, even with its untouched and wild nature, turning it into the mesmerizing place it is today. I named it Eraeliya, which gives the Sinhala meaning of “Sunlight” that transcends the entire property to the smiles of the locals you’ll meet during your stay and to the shiny blue surface of the Ocean.

Eraeliya began as a single house with a hundred years of history - Villa Walauwa. The reconstruction was very carefully completed in order to preserve the spirit of the building, its tranquility, coolness, and silence. Almost everything here remains as it was, including the elements of colonial architecture, the arrangement of rooms, and the enormous old trees around it. It is also the only villa with its own, fully equipped Sri Lankan traditional kitchen. You will find two bedrooms, an attached bathroom for each, a common living area and a dining area with a spectacular sea view. This would be a perfect villa for a family/party of five (Above the age twelve).

There were only two bedrooms in the original layout of Villa Walauwa, but I wanted to share my home with my friends. Therefore, I decided to build Beach Hut Muhudu Bella, which translates to “seashell." My inspiration was the traditional Sinhalese earthen huts built by the native people of Sri Lanka and the Mongolian yurts. The villa is round and is shaped like a seashell, bringing life to its name. It has a very warm and unique ambiance with a set of spiral steps leading down to the bathroom from the bedroom. This is also our most popular villa.

Villa Bawana is my vision of the perfect home on the beachfront. Every element was thought out with love and attention to the local climate: from the incredibly beautiful infinity pool to the nine-meter vaulted ceilings. Vintage Portuguese roof tiles, antique furniture, and massive doors give the villa a genuine colonial feeling. You will find four suites in the Villa Bawana, two on the first floor and two on the second with a common dining area for eight people. If you prefer to dine in the comforts of your own spaces, you have access to terrace dining, facing a spectacular view of the ocean and the infinity pool. You also have a space to maintain your health while you relax and enjoy your stay as we have arranged an area for Yoga classes where up to a maximum of four people can participate for a session.

Next to Villa Bawana stands the Garden House Nelum, translated from the Sinhalese word “lotus.” The path to Nelum leads through the garden full of tropical flowers. Follow the massive stone steps leading from the porch entrance and walk up the pond with its vibrant goldfish and arrive in our beautiful Garden House Nelum. You will first approach a ‘Sandakada Pahana’ also known as ‘Moonstone’, one of Sri Lankan’s unique ancient architecture techniques. Garden House Nelum was heavily inspired by Geffery Bawa’s ‘Lunu Ganga’ and the interior is as unique as the exterior of the garden house. A perfect place for a fairy tale vacation, just for you.

Further on the property, there is another magical space – the Ambalama Pavilion. To adorn Ambalama, I found grand old doors and columns in local antique shops. I built the pavilion walls using massive glass panels and upcycled wood. My favorite detail is the huge Hemingway-style writing desk.

I love to give a second life to things as one of my biggest values in life is reuse, reduce, recycle. So, whatever I do, I try to use this principle. In Sri Lanka, there are many auction houses and amazing samples of mid-century furniture still underestimated. So, I used to go to my favorite auction house “Shockman & Samerawickreme” in Colombo in search of them and bought them in a very bad condition. After careful restoration by local craftsmen, I made my dream come true. I combined colonial architecture with mid-century furniture and industrial aesthetics and called it The Loft House. Here you have the ‘Ocean Loft’ and ‘Garden Loft’ which are both very private spaces, covered by floral and fruit trees. Faced by a statue of God Ganesh, this is a space which I designed for myself in the beginning which is ideal for a family. You also have a terrace and sitting area which we could sit and enjoy your meals. If you are a private person and would like to enjoy your time with us in your own personal bubble, then the loft house would be a dream come true.

Now the entire space with six unique villas, in which I have enclosed so much love and care, exists as a boutique hotel. We received positive reviews in the Telegraph, National Geographic, and Lonely Planet called Eraeliya Villas & Gardens the best place in Weligama. However, for us, the number of loyal guests who continue to return is the best reward for putting all our love and care into the hotel. I am happy to welcome you at Eraeliya Villas & Gardens – our jewel of the bay.
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Paradise - Lovely site , busy this time with a few children which the pool and garden are unsafe for . Lovely food friendly accommodating staff as always. Rooms spacious.Weather was appalling... Read More but it was still beautiful and-very tropical. Sadly being encroached by more out of keeping buildings
Lizabeth W
December 16, 2023 -
Another Fabulous Stay - Just spent another wonderful 2 weeks at Eraeliya (main house this time). Magical as ever although sadly becoming less exclusive due to surrounding development. Also some localism has finally developed... Read More on the left hand surf break.
A special mention to the charming Rex, who once again made our stay so memorable. Also Sandun and Dean, together with Tharaka and Dulshan. Chef Kasun was new this year, and created superb meals. The gardens were beautiful as everRoam828004
December 24, 2023 -
Unforgettable - I had an absolutely wonderful stay here! The hospitality provided was top-notch, making me feel like a valued guest from the moment I arrived. The attention to detail throughout the... Read More villa was remarkable, showcasing a level of care and thoughtfulness that truly enhanced the experience. And the views... oh my! Waking up to the stunning vistas of the beach every morning was a dream come true. I can't recommend this place enough for anyone seeking a luxurious and rejuvenating getaway
Udam D
August 28, 2023 -
Wonderful - We really enjoyed our stay at Eraeliya villa. The place is beautiful and relaxing and the staff is super nice and accommodating. A big thank you to everyone who made... Read More our stay so special. tharaka and Dulshan at the front office, Dean, Sandun,Rex and Praneeth for their wonderful service and accommodating our requests. Hemantha, Damith and Hadhan of house keeping. Deemal, Shan and Kavinda for the wonderful meals served to us. The wonderful lady at the spa and last but not least shantha, bandu and Rasika for their tireless efforts in making our surroundings so beautiful.
Can’t wait to come again.Anushka1906
August 7, 2023 -
Outstanding - We had a wonderful, relaxing stay, especially the service was very attentive, caring and super friendly, thanks a lot to Sandun! We will come back and recommend it... Read More to our friends and families in Europe.
Jeannette F
July 24, 2023 -
We spent two wonderful weeks over this 2023 Christmas holidays and the 2024 new year. Exceptional experience. Gorgeous villas, lovely grounds, great reef break out front for surfing and... Read More a fantastic pool. Can't say enough positive things. Excellent service. All staff were too notch and Sandun was a standout - very elegant man and extremely gracious. He is very customer-oriented and charismatic - hopefully he will be the manager one day! The food was also amazing - the chef is a real star too, very talented with Western and local dishes alike. Highly recommended!
Sean123456777
January 4, 2024 -
Unique and one of a kind - My first 3 nights in srilanka was spent in Weligama, a unique experience at Eraeliya hotel. Specifically in Alaya Suite. This suite offered an unparalleled panoramic view of the Indian... Read More Ocean, coupled with a private balcony that seemed like an extension of the horizon itself. The room's design was aesthetically pleasing, illustrating a perfect blend of modern comfort and traditional charm. we had the luxury to enjoy our breakfast at our own specified time and location. The freshness of the food and the variety on offer was commendable. And a special mention has to be given to the front desk reception staff - Thareka and Dulshan, their professionalism and attention to detail significantly enhanced our stay. It is safe to say that Eraeliya hotel is not just a place to lodge, but a unique experience that leaves lasting memories.
Omdoubi
January 23, 2024 -
This is the best place we have ever stayed. Ever. We stayed here for 4 days at the beginning of our honeymoon, and then later on... Read More were booked at a 5 star hotel (Anantara Peace Haven). We literally left early from Anantara, despite the fact that it was non-refundable, and booked two additional nights at the Gardens.
The setting is absolutely beautiful, the dinner area overlooks the ocean, where you can see surfers and sunsets every night as you have curry and wine. The rooms are completely unique from one another with incredible attention to detail. And then we move to the service. The staff is small, and you get to know them by the end. I will miss them all. Dulshan the concierge is professional, relaxed, kind. Sandun, Rex, Dean, and Jayntha of the restaurant staff are always positive, attentive, and work extremely hard. The kitchen is wonderful with Sri Lankan and western dishes.
We are from the US, and its a long trip to Sri Lanka. However, if we come back, we will definitely be staying here again.N657NUpaulw
March 12, 2024 -
A beautiful slice of paradise, wonderful all around, marvellous, and fully deserving serving its 5* rating! - Eraeliya is fully deserving its 5* rating. The rooms, suites and villas are tastefully and uniquely decorated with much love and attention to detail. The beautiful grounds and gardens are... Read More maintained immaculately. The undisturbed oceanfront location affords stunning views over the ocean with unforgettable sunsets. Even though jungle beach is a favourite launching point for surfers, the sandy cove is also one of the few Sri Lanka beaches for safe swimming. The high level of service and quality of food are additional highlights. Breakfast is huge and stunning, and the catch of the day is the freshest and most tastefully prepared fish you will find anywhere. The owner Njuri, and the entire staff are fully dedicated to pamper their guests, and ensure their wellbeing. They provide service at its best! The relatively small size of the estate with only 9 rooms and villas affords a much more private and intimate atmosphere. Once you arrive, you have no desire to go outside again. Truly, a small slice of paradise!
dieter w
February 17, 2024 -
Delightful stay - Our beachfront villa was simply perfect, enjoying the view from our private terrace was amazing. The style and design of the villa in beautiful. The main area with pool is... Read More the perfect spot to spend your day relaxing on the sunbeds or the hammocks. The staff is very nice and the food is delicious.
Valerio R
February 7, 2024