Kandy

Bougainvillea Retreat, a sophisticated abode set up in 2002, is located just 45 minutes from Kandy, near the scenic Victoria Golf Club. The retreat feels contemporary and exhibits a design that seems more in tune with Tuscany than Sri Lanka’s hill country thanks to its delicate iron balustrades, infinity pool and stone-embossed walls. Indoor and outdoor areas flow smoothly into one another and share the jaw-dropping panoramas of the Victoria Reservoir, the palm-fringed mountains and the lush neighboring golf course.

The hotel is designed for complete relaxation including features such as a freeform infinity swimming pool, a mini-cinema with over 1,000 DVDs, a well-thumbed library, and a spa with Jacuzzi and steam bath. Bougainvillea also hosts several yoga retreats throughout the year. 

The nine rooms at Bougainvillea are located in the main house and the garden.

Activities during your stay

• Go trekking in the Knuckles Mountain Range

Nuwara Eliya

This 118-year-old English planter’s house is picturesquely tucked within the Ambewela mountain range overlooking a deep tea-bushed valley. Warwick Gardens offers guests seclusion and convenience since attractions such as Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala Botanical Gardens and Horton Plains are located just a short distance away. Painstakingly restored under the guidance of renowned architect Channa Daswatte into a warm and luxurious five-bedroom home, Warwick Gardens is an impressive granite-bricked two-story mansion.

The interior of Warwick Gardens has been stylishly and lovingly designed by the owners in-keeping with the history of the house. The burgundy-hued dining room features a mahogany table illuminated by candles and a beautiful Italian chandelier. A breakfast room and side patio overlooked by agapanthus offer further locations for atmospheric dining.

Activities during your stay

• Horton plains

Gal Oya

Located on the fringes of the Gal Oya National Park, Gal Oya Lodge blends naturally into its forest surroundings, offering innovatively designed luxury accommodation in the island’s south-east.

Spread across 20 acres of private forest, the loge is strategically located for guests who want to enjoy boat safaris over Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir.  Gal Oya Lodge practices environmentally responsible tourism and each of its ten bungalows have been constructed from locally sourced natural materials.

Sightings of a resident elephant herd are frequent throughout the year, and the real magic lies in seeing them swim between islands. Gal Oya is also home to over a 150 species of birds, other animal species and rare medicinal plants used in Ayurveda medicine.

Activities during your stay

• Veddah walk
• Boat ride on Senanyake samudraya

Bandarawela

Living Heritage is a tranquil hillside retreat that shows its guests Sri Lankan nature and heritage in all its ancient glory. Set on 80 acres of magical ‘Deyoge Kaele’ (God’s Forest) which extends from Sri Lanka’s famous mountain Adam’s Peak to the sacred Katagarama, the retreat is positioned on an ancient elephant migratory route and, even today, wild elephants can be spotted crossing through for a drink at the nearby Iriwendunpola river. Surrounded by mountains and scenic tea, rubber and pepper plantations, this escapist four-bedroom property is a secluded base where travelers can trek through thick jungle paths, climb nearby mountains like the Ella Gap in Bandarawela, have river baths or go cycling through sleepy farming towns like Monoragala. One of Living Heritage Koslanda’s main advantages is the secluded waterfall nearby. They also have an infinity-edge pool which has a glorious view of the stunning surrounding hills.

Activities during your stay

• Nature walk
• Picnic lunch and swim at the waterfall

Yala National Park

Hidden deep in the buffer zone jungles of the Yala National Park, Ceylon Wild Safaris offers luxe, safari-style tents. The campsite is just 40 minutes from the Katagamuwa entrance. Each tent is smartly-equipped to provide comfort in the midst of the wilderness. Also, Ceylon Wild Safaris is a camp with true eco-credentials. The pace is slow here and this is one of the ideal places for stepping out of the rat race and enjoying the wonders of the wild. Go on game drives to witness wild animals including leopards in their natural element.

Activities during your stay

• Safari + bush walks

Mirissa

Created by sisters Sharlyn Stafford and Ravini Perera, Sri Sharavi Beach Villas and Spa is made up of four beautiful seaside villas in Mirissa, arranged in a private row to allow magnificent Indian Ocean views for a serene beach holiday.

These stylish villas are more geared for small families and small groups but it’s also a great option for spa lovers and stressed out parents who are looking for a space to relax. Each two-story villa blends luxury and well-being seamlessly, and comes with a personal butler. What really makes Sri Sharavi special is its clever use of space, minimalist and clean aesthetics and spectacular ocean front views of Mirissa beach.

Activities during your stay

• Whale watching on a private catamaran