Redefining Sri Lankan luxury resorts: Welcome to Uga Ulagalla

The gateway to some of Sri Lanka’s most fabled historic sites and wilderness parks, Uga Ulagalla is a postcard-perfect retreat in the heart of the country

Something magical happens when you reach the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, the beating heart of the country’s Cultural Triangle – a region as rich in stories as it is UNESCO-listed architecture.

All around you are royal temples like Isurumuniya Vihara and Ruwanwelisaya. And you’re also only a short drive from Sigiriya – the ruins of an ancient civilisation that sit upon an enigmatic rocky outcrop rising dramatically from the country’s central plains – and the cave temples of Dambulla. There are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests, and during the day steam rises from paddy fields and ponds sprinkled with lilies.

The Uga Ulagalla difference

This is your backdrop when you check in to Uga Ulagalla, an accommodation pioneer from Uga when it comes to uniting style and sustainability in equal measure. There are only 25 villas at Ulagalla, but they’re spread across a lush estate spanning some 23 hectares, hemmed on each side by reservoirs.

Luxury here is prescribed by your surrounds – think back-to-nature but with niceties like private plunge pools, four-poster beds and expansive gardens lined with flowering ginger and palms. It’s so postcard perfect you might expect to see cheeky monkeys swinging through the treetops and peacocks stalking by – and in fact, they do just that on a daily basis.  

Resort resplendence  

It’s hard to tear yourself away from your villa, but there are plenty of distractions around the resort’s grounds. A jungle-ensconced communal pool lined with opalescent tiles is so mirror-flat that it reflects the surrounding forest. There’s an serene spa overlooking a pond where you can check in for treatments like a turmeric-and-sandalwood body scrub, ginger-and-honey wrap or botanical hair treatment. Bikes are also on hand so you can pedal around the grounds, or go further afield. And there are multiple dining options (whether in the restaurant or tailored to your preferences) to savour the flavours of Sri Lanka.

Kamatha is a true culinary gem, set in the middle of a working rice field and paying homage to Sri Lankan culinary traditions – think a whirlwind of spices and seasonings, wood-fired seafood, vegetables plucked from the resort’s own gardens, breads made from ancient grains and claypot curries. The 25 dishes served to you here are like Sri Lanka in a mouthful, curated to encapsulate the meals eaten by the country’s royalty. Liyawela, meanwhile, is spread over multiple open-air decks, offering a captivating view over the paddies while you dine on both Sri Lankan and Western favourites.

The heart of Sri Lanka

But the real reason you check in here is for what surrounds. Take those bikes and cycle in to Anuradhapura for the day. Or join Uga Ulagalla’s talented guides on wildlife safaris in neighbouring national parks – elephants in Minneriya and leopards in Wilpattu. Both are among the world’s greatest wildlife experiences, and few people know they exist. There are also endless ways to see Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the ruins in Ritigala and the historic sites in Dambulla and Polonnaruwa. You might also attend rice-harvesting festivals, try out archery or take village tuk-tuk tours.

Signature Ulagalla experiences

Uga Ulagalla excels when it comes to offering one-off experiences that immerse you in culture, and hosts a number of other exclusive experiences that take in the beauty of the region. Spend two hours on the Nachchaduwa Scenic Drive, winding through Anuradhapura and ending at Nachchaduwa Lake with an opulent breakfast spread to watch the day begin, or sundowners and canapes to watch the day end.

Equally scenic is a paddle across Wannamaduwa Reservoir, where kayaking adventures await at dawn and dusk. Meet local fisher-folk while you glide across the mirror-like surface of the waterway, amid pink and white lilies and surrounded by egrets, herons, kingfishers and storks. Relax – and feel your pulse slow.

For a more fast-paced outing, Ulagalla’s beautiful resident horses Rolex and Roxy are on call. Canter through the lush countryside surrounding the resort, then head to Wannamaduwa Reservoir for an epic sunrise or sunset.  

And then return to your base where crab curry, a glass of champagne and captivating views await. What’s not to like?

Book your Uga Ulagalla stay today.