Tri

Serene, high-design, jungle retreat

Unnamed Road, Koggala, Sri Lanka

(94) 7-777-08177

See Website

At a Glance

Showcasing the owners’ love of contemporary design, wellness and eco-friendly living, Tri is a special enclave on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The retreat inspires guests to stay put and relax in a lush jungle setting surrounded by stunning flora and fauna.

Indagare Loves

  • The chorus of birds and other wildlife providing an unforgettable soundtrack
  • The incredible birdlife, including peacocks and King Fisher
  • Watching the sun rise and set across the lagoon in an explosion of color
  • One of Asia’s most photogenic infinity pools

Review

In the beginning, Tri’s owner Rob Drummond fell in love with a tree. But not just any tree: a majestic Banyan tree with a massive tangle of roots that stands perched on a hilltop overlooking the Kogalla lagoon, at 2,500 acres, Sri Lanka’s largest natural lake. Today, this Banyan is the centerpiece of Drummond's Tri resort, located on the country’s southern coast, a 30-miute drive from Galle.

Arriving at Tri is part of the experience: a rough road snakes through unpaved jungle paths, past local villages until it leads to the Tri gates, where guests then climb a narrow staircase that opens onto a magnificent lake view. The eye is immediately drawn to a stunning infinity pool that suspends out from a viewing platform. The six-acre property spirals around and away from a four-story watertower, and it holds just 18 accommodations, including several villas. Everything was conceived to blend entirely into the lush natural habitat, and so the structures were built using local woods and stone, and roofs are planted.

The eco-chic design continues on the interiors as well, which are stylish and minimalist using an abundance of organic materials, including the local Mara and reclaimed Jak woods. Floors are supremely smooth (but quite slippery) stone, and linens and curtains are made from flowy light fabrics. Windows are floor-to-ceiling sliding panels and they should be, with the glorious views they offer: a multitude of different shades of green gives way to the serene lake whose gently rippling surface is positively hypnotic.

Most guests arrive a Tri with a list of activities—after all, the property is just a 30-minute drive to Galle Fort and in easy distance to Mirissa Beach, Hugodan Tea Plantation and several rock temples. However, the remoteness of the location and the special setting inspire staying put. Four times a week, yoga classes are offered and with some advance notice, a masseuse can be brought in (this is more difficult to arrange during the high season). The hotel also offers cruises around the lake, which is particularly popular in the early morning for optimal bird watching.

Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate as there is no place to easily go off-property (the jungle road is best not temped at night). To keep things interesting, the chef (who has a thing for pretty locales, having previously worked at North Island, Song Saa and Nihiwatu) whips up six-course dinners every evening. But thanks to the limited number of guests, special requests, including fewer courses, can be accommodated. Keeping with the eco-friendly concept, ingredients are sourced locally where possible, and some of it is grown on Tri’s premises.

And the premises are really the point here: guests who have a love for nature and an interest in Sri Lankan flora and fauna will be happiest here. At night, the lights around the property are kept to a minimum, and a cacophony of sounds—frogs, crickets, nocturnal birds—explode all around. Note: all common spaces at Tri are open to the outside, so dinner in an air-conditioned room is not an option. While the rooms are air conditioned, the high ceilings make them comfortably cool but not ice cold. Sliding doors mean that some little critters do make it into the rooms; guests who find the idea of coming across the sporadic bug off-putting, should book elsewhere.

It’s easy to forgive Tri its small shortcomings or the occasional service hiccup, as the hotel is admirably pushing an eco concept in a country where a real environmental conscience is still developing. Sitting on your balcony in the late afternoon watching the light change the colors of the vegetation; listening to the birds calling to one another during shivasina in the open-air yoga shala; walking to your room after dinner with a night soundtrack of frogs and insects—these are experiences that make you feel truly in touch with nature in a deeply primordial sense and that give Tri an incredible sense of place.

Indagare Tip

Book a tour of Cinnamon Island, reachable via Tri’s boat across the lagoon. The Kogalle area is known for its cinnamon plantation and on this island, a local farmer shows the process of growing the spice that made the Portuguese rich. You have a chance to purchase some gifts to bring home and once back at Tri, cinnamon cookies and tea round out the experience.

Who Should Stay

Couples and friends traveling together who are looking for a relaxing place to break up an activities-heavy itinerary. Nature lovers and birdwatchers will appreciate the eco-friendly concept and the stunning setting. Travelers who like kicking back with a good book and can entertain themselves: there is not a single TV at Tri and on-site activities are limited. Yogis and wellness seekers should inquire about special yoga retreat weeks. Doing sun salutations and shivasina with the birdlife all around is magical.

Ideal Length of Stay

Two to three nights (or longer for yogis who are interested in doing one of Tri’s retreats).

Getting There

From Colombo, the drive to Tri takes about four hours. There are also domestic flights to Kogalla. From Galle, the drive takes 30 minutes and from Yala National Park, three-and-a-half hours. Guests wishing to transfer from Tri to Tea Country can also book a seaplane transfer that departs right from the lagoon.

Written by Simone Girner

What's Nearby
Indagare employees walking up stiars

Enjoy 30 Days On Us!

Start your Self Planner
membership trial today.

Unlock access to 2,000+ first-hand hotel reviews, 300+ Destination Guides and the most up-to-date travel news and inspiration.

Already a member?

Welcome back,
log in to Indagare

Not a member?

Forgot Password

Enter your email and we’ll send you a link to reset your password.

Type the first 3 letters to begin