Three Sri Lankan hotels that are like heaven on Earth – Adaderana Biz English
Shangri-Las Hambantota Resort & Spa, Hambantota
Among the oncoming trucks and the hairpin bends, its a nerve-jangling 3-hour drive from Colombo to the new Shangri-Las Hambantota Vacation resort & Spa, on Sri Lankas unspoilt south coast. But its also a gorgeous journey through lush forests and well worthy of it.
Created on the website of a former 145-acre coconut plantation, the vacation resort sits on a hillside that sweeps down to the Indian Ocean and a shoreline that at the time shaped element of the historic Spice Route. Its also less than an hrs drive to two wildlife-filled mother nature reserves, Yala well-known for its leopard populace and Bundala.
On arrival, we were welcomed into a extensive open up-air lobby in which the only sound was the seem of the waves crashing on the palm-fringed seaside past. Modern Sri Lankan in truly feel, the vacation resort has been cleverly designed to carry the outdoors in at every single chance and champions regional craftsmen with its intricately carved teak pillars, rugs, pottery and handwoven blankets.
Everything is connected by shaded walkways critical during the summer months months, when the common temperature is 31C and all bedrooms have balconies or terraces and attractive sights throughout the garden, golfing lawns or ocean.
There are three restaurants. We beloved Sera, which serves ease and comfort food stuff influenced by the well known street hawkers of south-east Asia. We also liked the beach front grill, cast from aged fishing boats, serving foods straight from the firepit.
Shangri-Las fantastic signature Chi spa dispenses Chinese and Ayurvedic facials, massages and system treatment options, and offers no cost yoga lessons every morning. Theres an 18-hole golf program by Rodney Wright developed on the internet site of an aged sapphire mine. There are also numerous out of doors swimming pools. The seaside is stunning but the currents are also solid for swimming. Its a very good spot for observing the sunlight set, nevertheless.
Up for a bit of an experience, I borrowed one of the resorts mountain bikes and cycled up to the close by Godawaya Buddhist Temple on the coast, wherever the Walawe Sri Lankas most significant river joins the Indian Ocean. A refreshingly unique working experience from cycling at home, as I experienced to dodge a 4ft observe lizard, and was pursued on my way by a temple monkey.
Deluxe yard rooms from 140 per night time, together with all taxes and service fees (browse a comprehensive review and check out availability).
By Gary Cochran
The Frangipani Tree, Near Galle
This minimalist beachside hotel not significantly from Galle, influenced by famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, has 9 gentle, airy suites shared among a few villas. With Wi-Fi and iPod docks but no TVs, DVD players or telephones in-area, a stay below is about embracing easy pleasures like dozing by the pool, actively playing tennis and strolling down the long secluded beach front to see the stilt fishermen and location sea turtles. Its also the location for deliciously fresh seafood and Sri Lankan curries.
Doubles from 225 per night time (i-escape.com/the-frangipani-tree)
Cape Weligama, Weligama
On its personal headland, a 50 % hour travel south of Galle, this boutique hotel has 39 spacious rooms laid out village-fashion in terracotta-roofed villas sharing various swimming pools. There are four dining places, most notably the Ocean Terrace for market place-fresh seafood, and the cliff-edge Rouge Steakhouse and Grill, for teppanyaki-model eating. Theres also a crescent-shaped clifftop pool, tea-primarily based spa treatments by Parisian Themae, a dive centre and a catamaran for whale-watching.
Doubles from 362 for each night time (study a complete assessment and verify availability)
By Francesca Syz