EKHO Lake House

Polonnaruwa

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With 14 luxurious rooms, this former government guesthouse has a superb location on a peninsula beside the Topa Wewa, right next to the Heritage ruins (two rooms have ruins in their back terrace). The highlights are the unbeatable lake views, an excellent restaurant and a classy mix of historic heritage and modern design.

Queen Elizabeth II stayed in the suite room during her 1954 stopover (the hotel, a former British government Circuit House, was rebuilt specifically for her visit) and guests can soak in her golden bathtub. Online discounts of up to 40% are common.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa, Gal Vihara temple

    Gal Vihara

    1.67 MILES

    Part of Parakramabahu I’s northern monastery, Gal Vihara is a group of beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock…

  • Vatadage, Quadrangle, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

    Quadrangle

    0.52 MILES

    A short stroll north of the Royal Palace ruins, the area known as the Quadrangle is literally that – a compact group of ruins in a raised-up area bounded…

  • Interior of Royal Rock Temple, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

    Cave Temples

    24.61 MILES

    The beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. Five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely…

  • Visitors on the summit of Sigiriya Rock.

    Summit

    16.29 MILES

    The spectacular terraced summit of the rock covers 1.6 hectares. This is thought to be the site chosen by King Kasyapa for his fortified capital after he…

  • Lankatilaka Temple near Kandy, Sri Lanka

    Lankatilaka

    1.39 MILES

    One of the most evocative structures in Polonnaruwa, the Lankatilaka temple was built by Parakramabahu I and later restored by Vijayabahu IV. This massive…

  • Frescoes

    Frescoes

    16.35 MILES

    Halfway up the Sigiriya rock an open-air spiral stairway leads to a long, sheltered gallery in the sheer rock face. The paintings of the buxom, wasp…

  • Rankot Vihara

    Rankot Vihara

    1.15 MILES

    The 54m Rankot Vihara dagoba, the largest in Polonnaruwa and the fourth largest on the island, has been ascribed to the reign of King Nissanka Malla. Like…

  • Pidurangula

    Pidurangula

    16.31 MILES

    This prominent rock about 1km north of the Sigiriya site, offers amazing views of Sigiriya from its wide summit. It's a 20-minute hike up to the top, past…

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Nearby Polonnaruwa attractions

1. Royal Baths

0.05 MILES

This water tank next to the EKHO Lake House has a stepped entrance and is fed from the nearby Topa Wewa.

3. King’s Council Chamber

0.1 MILES

This pillared hall is where the King Nissanka Malla’s council would have met. Inscribed into each of the 48 columns in the chamber is the name of the…

4. Archaeological Museum

0.13 MILES

This excellent museum has rooms dedicated to the citadel, the outer city, the monastery area (check out the model of the monks' hospital and medical…

5. Royal Palace

0.22 MILES

The Royal Palace constructed by Parakramabahu I was a magnificent structure measuring 31m by 13m, and is said to have had seven storeys. Today its…

6. Audience Hall

0.3 MILES

Parakramabahu I’s Audience Hall is notable for the frieze of elephants, each of which is in a different pose. There are fine lions at the top of the steps.

7. Entrance to Ruins

0.31 MILES

This is where you will have your Polonnaruwa ticket checked, before entering the main site.

8. Polonnaruwa Ruins

0.34 MILES

For three centuries Polonnaruwa was a royal capital of both the Chola and Sinhalese kingdoms. Today's archaeological park is a delight to explore, with…