Jetwing Lake: Sri Lanka's Award-Winning Eco Resort in Dambulla

Jetwing Lake sits about 2.5 km from Dambulla Cave Temple, built from the ground up as one of Sri Lanka's most sustainable hotels—a commitment recognised with the PATA Gold Award for Corporate Environmental Programme, a Gold trophy at the Presidential Environment Awards, and Gold at the Sri Lanka National Energy Efficiency Awards. The 5-star resort runs on a 300kW solar installation (one of the largest at any Sri Lankan hotel, including the country's first commercial bifacial solar panels) and a biomass boiler that powers air conditioning and hot water without diesel.

The property's biomass boiler produces 2,000 kg of steam per hour, driving a vapor absorption chiller that uses a fraction of the electricity of conventional air conditioning. Solar panels supply more than 40% of daily electricity needs, and hot water throughout the resort is generated through solar and biomass systems rather than fossil fuels. The resort also treats its own wastewater on site and grows produce in its own gardens. These efforts have earned Jetwing Lake recognition well beyond typical hotel sustainability claims—real, third-party-verified awards rather than marketing language.

Rooms include air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a bathrobe, slippers, and free toiletries. The entire property is wheelchair accessible, with lowered sinks, grab rails, and elevator access to upper floors. Guests can also enjoy cooking classes, bike tours, and cultural tours, plus the outdoor pool, fitness centre, and spa.

Matale District Dambulla Cave Temple is about 2.5 km away, and the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs are around 3.7 km. Popham's Arboretum is roughly 5 km away. Given the proximity to Dambulla and Sigiriya, this resort also works well as a base for a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Sigiriya or a Sigiriya-area birdwatching tour.