Cinnamon Lodge Habarana
Grade - First Class
Overview
When touring The Cultural Triangle you couldn’t choose a better position as each of the region’s highlights is an easy drive away. You’ll also find a luxury first class hotel set in 27 acres of beautiful lush gardens and tropical forest on the edge of Habarana Lake that offers rest, relaxation and abundance of nature at the end of a day’s sightseeing.
Facilities
Central to the hotel is the large pool set amongst the beautiful garden. In the evening enjoy a drink in Tuskers Bar before choosing from a selection of 3 restaurants the offer al fresco and indoor dining. Unwind and relax with body therapy and signature treatments at the Azmaara spa. For the energetic hire a bike and follow the cycle trails that ribbon out from the hotel. Habarana is one of the best places to leave the tourist trail behind and discover rural Sri Lanka along sand paths and small roads.
Rooms
The resort’s rooms and suites are located in two-storey chalets scattered throughout the spacious grounds. Each follows a traditional architectural style with columns and verandas, cooling terracotta floors and clay roof tiles. The spacious and comfortable rooms have en-suite bathrooms and a veranda or balcony overlooking the lake or garden. The room interiors follow a traditional colour palate of ochre, saffron and olive green with antique bed heads, couches and planter's chairs. Other facilities include air-conditioning, minibar, satellite TV, WiFi, coffee/tea making facilities and safe.
Jetwing Vil Uyana (Sigiriya)
Grade - First Class
Overview
Dotted throughout a beautiful wetland scene, full of paddy fields, bamboo stands and reed beds teeming with wildlife, this superb boutique first class hotel with spa is one of Sri Lanka's most successful eco-tourism initiatives. Within the 28 acre private nature reserve the hotel makes the most of the space offering guests plenty of privacy and beautiful views. Just 10 minutes away from Sigiriya Rock, you rarely get the chance to enjoy such a luxurious natural setting that’s so convenient for the touring highlights.
Facilities
Relax by the large pool or enjoy one of the wide range of Ayurvedic and naturopathy treatments on offer at the beautiful spa surrounded by reed beds. There a several dining options including the Sulang café surrounded by water and Apsara fine dining restaurant with magnificent views towards Sigiriya. There’s also a small fitness room and library. Make the most of the natural riches and join an early morning bird watching tour with the resident naturalist or join them later for the evening Loris nature walk with fireflies almost guaranteed.
Rooms
The 36 freestanding dwellings (some with pools) set in five distinct habitats offer loads of space and plenty of comfort. Choose from Forest, Marsh, Paddy, Garden and Lake. Most are stilted with large, airy bedrooms clad in woven reed. The bathrooms are open with a rain shower. All have air-conditioning, ceiling fan, satellite tv, Wi-Fi and minibar plus private balcony/terrace. Garden dwellings have a more cottage feel with full length glass walls for wildlife viewing, while the two-storey Forest villas have semi outdoor bathrooms and plunge pools.
Back of Beyond - Pidurangala (Sigiriya)
Grade - Medium Class
Overview
Back of Beyond will appeal to those who are drawn to holiday spots where nature trumps luxurious trappings in order to truly get away from it all and enjoy a relatively simple but more immersive holiday experience. Set amidst four acres of wilderness boasting over 100 species of birds, Back of Beyond is set in a small jungle clearing in an area where cultural history dates back to the 5th century AD. No air-conditioning, phones or TV, just relax, explore and enjoy.
Facilities
The “facilities” are really what surrounds you. Take an early morning jungle trek to Pidurangala Rock, close to Sigiriya, with its monastic ruins, Buddha statue and several caves, join a nature ramble with picnic or enjoy the magnificent bird watching opportunities. Custom prepared Sri Lankan and western meals are served in the dining area. Tea, coffee and drinking water is provided free of charge. Alcohol isn’t provided but you can bring your own.
Rooms
There are two cottages each with their own living, dining and sleeping areas, one of which can be taken as a whole for a family. Rooms are designed with an ethnic feel and furnished with single or double beds fitted with mosquito netting. Attached bathrooms are open-air with hot-water showers. All rooms have overhead fans and each cottage has a terrace where you can relax during the day and listen to the jungle or at night put you head back and gaze up to the stars.
However the most popular option and newest addition are the 2 Tree Houses that offer a bit more privacy. Climb up the wooden steps to the top of the tree house and you’ll find the bedroom that feels like it’s part of the forest. Below you’ll find the large open lounge, the perfect place to enjoy an evening’s drink or early coffee as the jungle awakes. The attached bathroom is open-air with hot-water shower.Lake Lodge Kandalama
Grade - Boutique First Class
Overview
Set below the gentle hills of Dambulla on the banks of peaceful Kandalama Lake, the Lake Lodge is an exclusive 12 room boutique hotel in the village of Kandalama, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. The beautiful lakeside position ensures you’re surrounded by the sounds and sights of Sri Lankan wildlife, particularly the birds that a drawn to the lake. From November to April the lake is also the starting point for balloon safaris.
Facilities
After a stimulating day exploring ancient temples and cities, return to the Lake Lodge for a relaxing swim in the large pool set amongst beautifully tended gardens. Dinner is served poolside on a terrace looking out to the lake. The in-house spa offers relaxing Ayurvedic massages. You can also take mountain bikes out to the surrounding villages and countryside or perhaps join a guided walk along the many nature trails.
Rooms
The 12 bedrooms and suites are set in six two-storey chalets. Each chalet has a spacious Deluxe Room on the upper floor and a Superior Room on the ground floor opening on to private balconies with mountain and jungle views. All have king-size bed, en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and safe.
The Mudhouse
Grade - Medium Classs
Overview
Although not strictly in the Cultural Triangle, The Mudhouse is easily included in any itinerary and is ideal for those looking for an immediate immersion into Sri Lankan culture and life, with easy access to a range a nature based activities. Many 5 star retreats spend millions on what The Mudhouse achieves with imagination and honest endeavour - no “concepts” needed! Set amidst 60 acres of wilderness by a tranquil lake, it’s designed to have the feel of a traditional, rural Sri Lankan village and from here you can cycle, walk, climb and swim through the surrounding countryside. Especially good for bird-watchers and families looking for soft adventure as no electricity, air-conditioning or hot water.
Facilities
The facilities are simple, designed to make the most of the location and open up the surrounding countryside. Living and dining areas are built using traditional methods, with rich red clay walls and floors, and trees are used as support columns for the coconut palm-thatched roofs. The food is Sri Lankan with the emphasis on local specialities using crops grown in the organic gardens and rice fields. There’s no electricity but the glow of lanterns and candles only adds to the atmosphere.
All meals and sightseeing (non-motorised) are included in your stay and there are numerous trails that you can explore on foot, by bike or aboard a tuk tuk, depending on the distance and energy levels. There are also a network of lakes that can be kayaked or relaxed by, enjoying a picnic and watching out for the variety of birds and animals that pass by.Rooms
Guests stay in wattle and daub huts with thatched roofs that are grouped together in various parts of the forest. There are four accommodation options ranging from a simple village mud house to huts built on stilts. Interior layouts differ, but facilities are the same with beds on raised clay platforms fitted with mosquito netting, indoor bathrooms and outdoor showers and living spaces that can also be used for yoga or meditation.