Places to pamper you

Elephant stables was the home of the late Sir Cudah Ratwatte, a leading Sri Lankan aristocrat who was known to house many elephants in these plantations, hence the name “Elephant Stables”. This bungalow is the perfect escape for couples and families; featuring a blend of rich colonial architecture and chic modern interior with exceptional personalized services. To perfect the rich colonial atmosphere, Elephant Stables also offers over a 100 of movies from the 20th century classics and a serene reading room with books on ancient Sri Lanka.

Built in 1884, Manor House was lived in by aristocrats in their time. Later transformed in to a luxury boutique house, Manor House was refurbished to bring back its previous regal charm through rustic colonial architecture and interior. Coupled with its polished marble floors and ancient copper roofing with embossed art, this manor will let you experience the legacy of ancient Sri Lankan nobility.

Simpson’s Forest Hotel is situated in the middle of a tea and spice plantation bordered by a forest nurtured by the late English planter, Simpson. True to their slogan “Where luxury meets nature”, this hotel provides every comfort of home as you rejuvenate away from the bustle of modern life. Surrounded by acres of trees and blue hills, this is the perfect place for leisurely treks. Hunnas Falls is another magnificent site located only 7km away from the hotel, perfectly photogenic with its natural preserve.

Tropical Life Resort & Spa Dambulla is nestled in the midst of tropical jungles of Ibbankatuwa village, located very close to the World Heritage Site ‘Dambulla Cave Temple’. As the name suggests, this resort will let you experience tropical life led in the island to its truest sense as you travel around Dambulla and the rest of the island to experience its natural and archeological magnificence.

SWP Eco Lodge Kandy is conveniently located within walking distance to some of the greatest sightseeing gems Sri Lanka has to offer such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the National Museum of Kandy. SWP Eco Lodge provides accommodation and sound proofed private rooms overlooking magnificent forestry views whilst providing a multitude of services to make sure you have all the comforts of home and more.

No place reveals the soul of Geoffrey Bawa, the acclaimed Sri Lankan architect, better than his country home, Lunuganga. When Bawa purchased the site in 1948, it was nothing more than a derelict rubber estate sitting on a promontory in the Dedduwa Lake, 2km inland from the Bentota coast. But over the next fifty years, he painstakingly transformed it into one of the most seductive, passionate pleasure gardens of the twentieth century. The entire estate has been preserved as Bawa left it at the moment of his death and is now run as a country house boutique hotel offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience the architect’s vision as he intended by inhabiting it.

Galkadawala Forest Lodge is based around the concept of elephant watch huts, a type of treehouse used by the rural folk to keep an eye for elephants that come to eat the crops. The lodge consists of 2 bungalows and altogether 5 rooms that is open to the beautiful reserve outside. The lodge is conveniently located near many historical sites such as Sigiriya and Ritigala forest monastery. Another specialty embraced by Galkadawala Forest Lodge is that all cuisine is ovo-lacto vegetarian and vegan/ gluten free meals can be prepared on request.

Built in the heart of the island’s cultural triangle, Kalundewa Retreat is the place to stay if you are a birdwatching, nature and wildlife enthusiast. With the ease of visiting Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigirya Rock Fortress, this retreat has multiple villas consisting all the modern world comforts whilst giving the finest experiences. One of their recent additions is the Nil Manel Floating Villa, built in the middle of a blue water lily pond, spellbinding the visitors.

Ambasewana Resort has a blend of wooden interior and modern facilities that gives off a rustic look. Paired with the uniquely shaped architecture this resort is a piece of art on its own, located conveniently near the Hurulu Eco Park and the Habarana Ayurvedic Spa. For the more adventurous guests, this seven-bedroom resort also offers a chance to engage in multiple outdoor activities such as canoeing, fishing and hiking.

Surrounded by lush gardens of fruit trees and vegetable patches is the Other Corner villa, complete with 4 bedrooms which can house up to 14 people. Aside from the bungalow, there are also multiple chalets catering to single person or couple stays as well as a tree cottage and a lodge, to cater to the varying needs of guests. All these are accentuated by the stunning views of Habarana, which remain undisturbed as ‘The Other Corner’ places very strong emphasis on sustainability.

Elephant Stables Dambulla consists of 6 villas located on top of a ridge, overlooking the large teak forest below. A unique feature offered by Elephant Stables Dambulla is the Hot Air Ballooning experience, where the three hour ride takes you over Sigiriya and Pidurangala rocks, the jungles of Minneriya National Park with a spectacular view of the Hill Country in the distance. Facilities for other activities such as Mini Moke tours, mountain biking and swimming are also available.

'The Ark' is an elevated villa built on the concept of a watch-hut, an elevated refuge used by farmers to watch over their crops. Nestled amidst the rubber and cinnamon plantations and overlooking the Sinharaja rainforest, this resort brings home the true meaning of ‘elevated refuge’. One touring party can reserve this entire facility, be it a set of individual wildlife enthusiasts or family of six, an eco-haven above ground, completely yours till you leave.

Elephant Stables Weligama Bay is a small luxury boutique hotel located near the bay of Weligama. The hotel features 6 beautifully furnished rooms named and themed after fruits, with verandas overlooking the lovely sight of the beach. For guests with a love for sea adventures are offered the options of surfing, scuba diving and whale watching. In the afternoon, you can also go out on to the 2km stretch of golden beach that is Weligama Bay and watch as the sun sets pink against the crashing waves.

Situated in the heart of Galle Fort, this hotel is located in a place where you can truly experience the holistic adventures of the South of Sri Lanka. Complete with 3 suites, Fifty Lighthouse is an ideal stay for those that want to experience the sea, sand and the history that comes with it. Dinning at Fifty Lighthouse Street is an event of its own, with a gastronomical fusion of exotic Sri Lankan and International dishes prepared according to your preference by the most expert of chefs.

This boutique hotel is a beachfront villa that features six large bedrooms that are fully equipped to cater to your every comfort. This is the ideal stop if you’re a whale watching enthusiast as this boutique hotel is only 10 minutes away from the Mirissa whale watching hotspot.

True to its name, The Beach House of Mirissa from its entrance to exit is themed summer getaway. Themed blue, white and brown, this blend of sand, sun and ocean provides a wonderful summer retreat away from the daily hustle and bustle. Located near the Mirissa Whale watching hotspot, this coveted beach paradise has 5 suites overlooking the Indian ocean.

Tri is a luxury boutique hotel situated at the shores of Koggala lake, the first of its kind as the contemporary sustainable boutique hotel. With 11 suites available, this blend of art and contemporary architecture brings to you the luxury of a well-maintained garden view as well as an emerald slab of water as you serenely lounge at the front. Aside from its contemporary design, Tri also embraces the Ayurveda art of fine dining in order to improve the wellbeing of the guests.

Ubuntu Beach Villas are 2 beach villas located 500m away from each other with modern interior that truly lets the guests enjoy the beach through its massive glass sliding doors. These villas consist of 3 suites from which you can choose, each one having a special experience on its own.

Are you a person seeking secluded holiday in a beach resort? Then this is your spot! Situated in a secluded beach on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, this private paradise offers up to 5 bedrooms and possibly the best food served in the island. Villa 700 comes with its own in-house chef who will serve food prepared to your liking, and you have the choice of selecting from or outside the menu.

Situated in the heart of Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at 26 Church Street. Just 10 minutes from some of Sri Lanka’s finest beaches and paddy fields, The Fort Bazaar is the ideal place to call home when exploring the historical fort and surrounding countryside. A town-house hotel with 18 luxurious rooms and suites, Z Spa, Asian inspired restaurant & bar, ‘Church Street Social’.

Stylish 10 room boutique hotel with a spacious garden, 23-metre swimming pool, direct beach access and a restaurant serving modern Asian cuisine

Thamaya Heritance is an antique villa featuring the colonial era and its comforts and offers 5 bedrooms that can house up to fifteen guests. Located in the southern part of Sri Lanka, it is only a 15-minute walk from the villa to the Tangalle beach. A unique feature offered by this villa is once you reserve your room, only you and your party will be there, the other free rooms will be closed down so that you can privately enjoy all the offered facilities throughout the duration of your stay.

Located in a small traditional town called Ahangama on the southern coast of the island, this is one of the hotels that has been designed with more innovative architectural ideas, adopting a blend of modern and minimalistic styles. Complete with the offer of 6 garden suites, 1 standard room and 1 duplex apartment, this is a more futuristic take on an ‘Escape’ as hinted by the name.

About half an hour from the airport, in the midst of the beautiful coastal city of Negombo lies the Arie Lagoon Hotel. This lagoon paradise is an escape to any ocean enthusiast that visits Sri Lanka. Equipped with 55 rooms of 4 varying kinds, this is the perfect place for a relaxing stay with plenty of space and the luxury of private plunge pools.

Conveniently located 25 minutes from Katunayake Airport, this retreat is exactly the sandy abode you would look for if you are looking for a place to rest or stay as you travel to see the island wonders. Aside from the Villa facilities, they also offer a special six-day tour pack to help you explore the island with ease. Villa Araliya is one of the few Villas in Sri Lanka that is completely ecofriendly and promotes the adoption of local stray animals as part of their business ethics.

Elements is a collection of villas and other facilities overlooking the beach coast of Kalpitiya. They are the epitome of service with a smile and offers a multitude of activities by the beach side that will whisk you away to watersport paradise. Some of these activities are whale watching, scuba diving and standup paddling. They also offer kitesurfing, which is a rare find in Sri Lankan hotels, and if you do not know how to kitesurf, they have coaches to teach you from scratch one.

Unlike other retreats, resorts and boutiques, Camp Hasthi of Udawalawe brings to you the simplicity of camping whilst not compromising on a single luxury. Situated in the heart of Udawalawe, sheltered by a sugar cane plantation, this site is located in a way that does not disturb the sanctuary. Deliberately made to gain the authentic camping experience, Camp Hasthi will help you explore the best of Sri Lanka’s wildlife, culture and village life all at once.

Athgira River Camp is another site that offers 15 luxury tents with separate entrances and private verandas for the comfort of the guests. Each tent is furnished and designed by wood as per the ecofriendly concept. Facing the Rakwana river, this is a lush getaway from the city bustle to experience the night breeze by the Udawalawe forest reserve.

Located on the border of the Udawalawe reserve, Elephant Trail is only five minutes away from the Udawalawe National Park entrance. Elephant trail offers 15 luxury rooms with private balconies furnished with the finest of teak furniture. Aside from the stay, Elephant Trail also offers safari tour packages that go up to 3 days. The packages cover safari rides to Udawalawe, Yala and a visit to Elephant Transit Home.

Located opposite the Elephant Transit Home, this is the ideal spot for any guest looking to spend a less costly stay while taking in all that is to be offered at Udawalawe. Paired with its modern architecture and the offer of safari services Hotel Athgira is the best deal you can come across in Udawalawe.

Located adjacent to the Yoda Lake, this resort places heavy emphasis on its tranquil atmosphere and their expert Ayurvedic services. Secluded from the rest of the world, Thaulle Resort is the ideal retreat away from the modern world bustle to rejuvenate through their Panchakarma Cure. With 28 suites on offer, each provides a unique experience, as no two rooms are alike.

Located 11km away from the Ritigala Forest Monastery, this is an Ayurvedic wonder hidden away in Habarana. Particularly preferred by couples, Athreya Ayurveda Ashram is known to offer delicious food as well as rustic lodging and facilities to engage in recreation in the middle of its forestry environment. Guests have also reviewed this place, as a provider of excellent service be it food, friendliness or its spa.

Kaveri Ayurveda Resort is a European style building that offers 16 sound proof rooms. This resort is a fusion of ancient Sri Lankan architecture and European interior and is located off site of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and a 10-minute drive from Pidurangala Rock. Kaveri Ayurveda Resort offers continental breakfast buffet and if required the rest of the meals can be ordered at the restaurant.

This is an Ayurvedic Spa located in Habrana, at the centre of the Cultural Triangle. At Athreya, the therapy offered is of traditional methods utilizing all natural herbs. With a tranquil setting, Athreya is nestled in 1 1/2 acres of medicinal plants. The traditional "Kuti" treatment areas blend with the surroundings giving total relaxation to anyone that visits.

Plantation Villa is a famous Ayurvedic Nature Retreat Centre in the island. At Plantation Villa, a well-being experience is offered for everyone, from those trying to get away from every day stress, to those needing a touch of loving care, right down to those that are suffering from illness needing intense treatment. With 18 suites on offer, this Villa is specialized in yoga mastery and is ideal for your spiritual care.

Stafford Bungalow is a 130-year bungalow in the hill country built in the middle of a tea estate, overlooking a serene creak that flows across the plantation. This four-bedroom old time wonder is complete with wooden flooring and magnificent fireplaces to resemble the colonial days. The vast plantation acres are perfect for adventure trekking, hiking as well as cycling. However if you’re more of an indoor person, they also have a games room which you can cozily hole yourself in.

A newly built bungalow with 5 luxurious ensuite bedrooms, dining room and 2 spacious living rooms, with open terraces overlooking Castlereagh Reservoir

Goatfell is situated within the stunning Concordia Tea Estate near Kandapola, Nuwara Eliya. A former Superintendent’s bungalow, within easy reach of the estate tea factory and just 30 minutes to Nuwara Eliya city centre, Goatfell offers 4 luxury ensuite bedrooms, scenic views across the valley, a large covered verandah, croquet lawn, swimming pool, superb cuisine and attentive service.

Just a few minutes along the tea lined estate roads from Demodera Railway Station near Ella, stands Nine Skies, a majestic former tea planter’s bungalow turned five-bedroom luxury hotel. Set within several acres of private gardens are the hotel’s croquet lawn, garden pool and sun deck, with wonderful views across the valley to the tea factory and famous Demodera loop.

Micklefield Farm Bungalow is a self-sustained butterfly paradise, famous for being 100% organic. With its multiple gardens catering to specific types of plants, they have created a balanced landscape that nurtures its own eco system. The four suites in the bungalow, named and themed after birds, can accommodate up to 4 guests each and provides 24-hour room service, mini bar and more. To make matters more interesting, the guests can handpick their own vegetables from the patches and handover to the chef for preparation.

Situated approximately 2km away from Galle Fort is My Bungalow Galle, a modernized bungalow that offers 3 deluxe double rooms. All rooms feature a private bathroom as well as complimentary Wi-Fi, climate control and a separate toilet. My Bungalow also allows pets so you can bring along your favorite furry to stay with you.

Located a mile away from Galle Fort is a colonial abode that will take you back to the ancient days and tell you the rich history of the living fort and its battle bitten days. With 3 absolutely stunning luxury suites on offer, Tamarind Hill will surely be your most favorite historical getaway, its luxuries and ancient legacies leaving unforgettable traces of the southern coast behind.

17 luxurious suites, secluded, private and peaceful landscaped gardens, hotel fruit & vegetable garden, Asian Fusion Restaurant, Z Spa and swimming pool. Situated on Minuwangoda Road, Kotugoda, just 15 minutes from Sri Lanka’s main International Airport and 30 minutes from Colombo City Centre. The perfect start or end to any trip to Sri Lanka.

The Notary’s House is a luxury six-bedroom boutique hotel located in the middle of multiple large gardens and a coconut grove, just a 45-minute drive from the Colombo international airport and 30-minute drive from the coastal city of Negombo. Tastefully decorated in authentic Sri Lankan antiques and tapestries, this Boutique Hotel offers the finest of Sri Lankan hospitality.

Olive Ceylon, situated in Galle, is a beautiful boutique hotel consisting of four spacious villas featuring unique Sri Lankan architecture and luxury facilities. The suites are beautifully decorated and are offered with all the modern amenities required. They also offer serene open-air bathrooms, and provide access to an on-site swimming pool. The expansive property gives space to relax and enjoy the comforts provided in the privacy of your own forest retreat.