9 Bedroom Villa in Nugadola Wallauwa House, Pasyala

Some homes just have that way of making you slow down for a second before you even step inside. The Nugadola Wallauwa estate in Pasyala, Sri Lanka is absolutely that kind of place. As you come up the long drive between old ironwood trees, you feel pulled into somewhere special. I remember the first time I stood in front of the main villa—it felt both important and inviting, almost like the house itself was happy to see you. Out here it is hard to believe the busy streets of Colombo are just about an hour away. Most days you mostly hear bird calls and the soft rustle of the breeze, not cars or noise.

This nine bedroom villa gives you more than just space. I mean, the built up area is massive—thirty thousand square feet spread out over a plot that just keeps going, more than seven acres if you want the numbers. But honestly, those numbers fall away pretty fast when you are here. The main house has this old manor vibe with real history. Back in the late 1930s, this was built for the British High Commissioner and his wife, and you sort of feel their old gatherings in the high ceilings and big pillars. The ballroom is not exactly what it was back then, but it has turned into this huge living area that wraps around in an L shape, with windows and French doors everywhere. You will also find a family kitchen that really feels made for cooking, not just for show. The dining space just begs for a proper Sri Lankan meal with laughter that sort of drifts out onto the terrace. There are two drawing rooms too, if you feel like reading or just having a chat away from the group.

To me, the real heart of the villa is the garden-facing terrace. Mornings are soft with sunlight just touching the old mango tree in the courtyard. I have sat under it and honestly, some days you forget what time it is. Each of the five suites in the main house tries to outdo the others. Downstairs, you get easy access straight onto shaded terraces, perfect for a slow coffee or evening chat. Upstairs, the bedrooms have their own sitting areas. Two of them open onto private terraces catching sunlight in a way that makes you want to get up early. You might notice a gecko here or there, maybe a view over the jungle that stretches out beyond the gardens.

There is more though. A lot of guests comment on The Pavilion, which is its own building and offers extra privacy for family or friends. A bit deeper into the grounds, the estate hides a leafy cottage—the kind of place you almost expect to find written into a novel. And then there is The Lookout, which is perched like a tree house with an open shala space for yoga or just taking in the sky at night. Every bedroom here gives you a different angle on the gardens or the jungle. Morning routines are easy. Wake up to green views and the birds already starting up their day.

Outside, it is proper countryside living but not the hard work version. The pool is long enough for laps and just feels right among gardens that are well looked after but never overdone. Some afternoons I watched the shadows move across the cabanas and felt hours slip by. There is space for kids to play or for grownups to just lie on the lawns and daydream. Wildlife seems to drop in now and then—once, I caught a monkey up in one of the far trees. Little touches like butterflies over the hibiscus or the scent of rain before it arrives just feel part of the air here.

If you are traveling, access makes life simple. The airport is about fifty minutes away and you can get into Colombo without too much fuss. Even so, once you are on the grounds, the outside world gets quiet fast. Pasyala itself has a laid back mood, people know each other, but you always have privacy thanks to all the space. This is not a fancy hotel vibe. It is more like living in a place that has seen generations and is happy for you to add your own story.

In the end, you just have to visit to know if it fits how you want to live. If you want to know more or just get a feel for the gardens and the house, let me know any time. At LuxuryProperty.com, we really want your next move to feel as natural and easy as it should.