Here’s where to experience authentic, sustainable Sri Lanka without sacrificing luxury

Luxury boutique hotel group Uga unites style and sustainability in equal measure at its properties across the Indian Ocean nation

Sri Lanka is one of those destinations that will set your pulse racing out of excitement one minute – and then slow it right down the next. This teardrop-shaped nation in the Indian Ocean may be small, but it covers vast geographical and historical spectrums that range from mist-shrouded tea fields to beaches, colonial villages, epic national parks and wildlife reserves. Amid it all there are atmospheric markets, colourful boutiques, flavoursome regional cuisines and beautiful people, all with an eye on protecting the bountiful natural assets.

And there’s no better way to take in the diversity and intricacies than with Sri Lankan-owned hospitality group, Uga. Because when you’re born in a country, you truly care about its environment and communities.

The Uga portfolio

With six individual properties around Sri Lanka, Uga is the country’s leading high-end accommodation authority. But these are no ordinary hotels – each is boutique and tailored to the destination it’s in, whether that’s luxurious low-slung lodges wedged between the Indian Ocean and Yala National Park (welcome to Uga Chena Huts), an all-pool-villa retreat surrounding a 150-year-old mansion near UNESCO-listed Sigiriya (check in to Uga Ulagalla), or a resort on the northeast coast of the country just steps from the sand (Uga Jungle Beach).

Uga Bay, meanwhile, sits on the stunning Pasikuda Beach on the island’s east coast. On the opposite coast just north of Colombo, Uga Riva occupies a heritage manor on a lush palm grove. In December this year, the portfolio will welcome Uga Halloowella, an 1880 estate uniting old-world hospitality and sophistication in Sri Lankas hill country, with just six suites and impeccable dining amid tea plantations.

Each property has a story and a unique sense of place, transporting you to some of the country’s most fabled destinations as well as places that are hidden secrets. And each preserves the long history and creative prowess of Sri Lanka through both design, hospitality and cuisine. Wherever you check in you’re guaranteed exceptional service, whether in the spa, restaurant or other public spaces. And wherever you check in, you can look forward to attention-to-detail like no other hotel in the country.

Eye on detail

Uga Halloowella preserves the bungalow’s glorious period features, from original fireplaces and doors to chandeliers, four-poster beds and heritage tiles. And when it comes mealtime, you can dine alfresco overlooking manicured gardens and Castlereagh Reservoir, which is an incredible view, your food prepared using produce from the hills that surround. You’re on the Pekoe Trail, so hiking mist-filled valleys and visiting a tea factory should be on your agenda.

At Uga Riva in Negombo designers have also paid tribute to heritage of the mansion, formerly home to six generations of one of Sri Lanka’s prominent Chetty families. Think pillared verandas, delicate fretwork, graceful arches and a traditional courtyard, all complemented by modern touches. The on-site restaurant serves the finest Sri Lankan fare, whether aromatic crab curries or made-to-order egg hoppers. Everything is fresh and delicious.

Uga Chena Huts was carefully created to fit in with its stunning southeast coast location, with private cabins (each with their own pool) celebrating the bountiful natural assets on your doorstep: the wildlife of Yala National Park, the sparkling Indian Ocean, and the immense jungles that envelop it all. This is your chance to go on an unrivalled Sri Lankan safari spotting elephants, leopards and all manner of birds, including peacocks, in the wild. Then retire to your secluded abode – perhaps for pampering in the spa or an impeccable dining experience at Basses restaurant.

Staying at Uga Ulagalla is a life-changing experience, this being the gateway to World Heritage-listed rock fortress Sigiriya where kings once reigned, as well as tranquil lily-clad lakes. Each of the 25 villas comes with its own private pool, with historic flourishes like polished floorboards, marbled bathrooms and intricated artwork by Sri Lankan creatives – all overlooking rice fields where harvest is celebrated annually. As a guest, you are welcomed to attend amid other diversions including village cycle tours, tuk tuk and horse-riding excursions, kayaking over the lake or making a kite.

It’s not just the three-kilometres of untouched private Pasikuda beach – one of the country’s finest stretches of sand – that will wow you when you visit Uga Bay. The design is unsurpassed, melding coastal elegance with tropical sophistication and charm. This is the ideal place to indulge in water sports, whether you’re wanting to explore dive sites or watch the day disappear on a sunset cruise. And then there’s the out-of-this-world underground spa, where you can bliss out while enjoying body and face treatments inspired by the region. The restaurant, meanwhile, overlooks the sparkling swimming pool and ocean beyond – or opt for private dining experiences on the sand.

Sand also stars at Uga Jungle Beach in Trincomalee, where rooms come with beach, jungle and lagoon views. This is the ideal destination for whale watching and epic snorkelling. Back at the hotel you can look forward to cabins replete with vaulted ceilings, thatched roofs and outdoor terraces, with a private walkway to the ocean. The magical treehouse-inspired restaurant delivers the finest sustainably caught seafood, while the spa offers everything from a turmeric-and-sandalwood body scrub to an Indian head massage.

Uga cares

Regardless of its location, each Uga property is dedicated to preserving the special place it calls home. The entire collection is country-leading when it comes to conservation, of both the environment and the communities it revolves around. This includes obtaining LEED certification (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) from the Green Building Council of the United States – Uga Ulagalla was the first boutique hotel in Sri Lanka to receive it. As well as using environmentally friendly, biodegradable materials in all buildings; favouring solar energy and bio gas; and installing water-treatment plants, among other initiatives. A number of properties also maintain organic gardens, guaranteeing farm-to-plate meals.

The Uga portfolio also supports a number of community based wildlife initiatives including the Elephant Research Center (ERC), established to conserve the elephant population in Sri Lanka while helping to resolve the Human Elephant Conflict (HEC), which remains a serious issue in certain parts of the country.

Whichever property you choose – or if you plan to hop between them all – Uga offers a luxurious, and unforgettable way to experience Sri Lanka.

Book your Uga adventure of a lifetime today!