Sri Lanka is shaped like a tropical tear drop, fantastic scenic and cultural variety. It is exotic, with wonderful history and culture, eco adventures and wildlife viewing, and wide smiles. In recent years the quality of accommodation has improved significantly, with many boutique heritage hotels and wonderfully luxurious resorts. The image of the island has moved more upscale – as have the prices – but we now rate it as one of the most exciting tropical destinations.

The beaches are good, but for us the real joy of the island is to tour around, staying in the very special boutique hotels and then end in a resort for a few days. The flying time from UK is 12 hours.

Uga Ulagalla is a luxurious eco focused resort, located close to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura. A perfect base for exploring the cultural triangle. 4 hours drive north east from Colombo, although we suggest some sightseeing en route, with Dambulla Caves particularly suggested. The main building dates back 150 years, so there is a fine sense of history and tradition.

The Uga Chena Huts are due to open in late December 2015. The designs look wonderfully extravagant and luxurious and the word “hut“ is wonderfully tongue in cheek.

Just 20 individual dwellings, all Junior suite style with their own plunge pool.

Cape Weligama is luxurious, offering chic boutique elegance. Located on a cliff top with dramatic views of the bays below. 30 minutes drive from the city of Galle. The airport at Colombo is just under 3 hours transfer.

The Wallawwa Chic boutique, Sri Lankan style, with low rise colonial heritage influenced design. Just 15 minutes drive from Colombo airport, The Wallawwa makes a great introduction to your Sri Lanka experience, or is equally convenient for a night or two before flying home. Colombo city is 45 minutes drive away.

Uga Bay Passikudah is an attractive stylish boutique hotel, centrally located in the heart of the fast developing Passiudah Resort. You can drive from Colombo in just over 5 hours, or easily combine with a tour to the cultural triangle and / or Uga Jungle Beach. Alternatively there are Cinnamon Air domestic flights from Colombo to Batticaloa, which is 30 minutes away.

Uga are a fast growing hotel chain within Sri Lanka. Their boutique resorts are stylish, combining contemporary comforts with heritage traditions. We feature just two of their collection, but can arrange others on request.

For years Sri Lanka has been popular for the wonderful scenic contrasts, the marvellous history and the smiling hospitality. Resort accommodation was largely adequate, low priced, but hardly outstanding on an international scale. All that has changed in the last few years and the island now offers some of the finest small boutique experience resorts to be found in the region.

The tours shown here are just a few suggestions, and can be easily tailored to suit your personal requirements.

Uga Jungle Beach Resort is located 11 miles north of the port of Trincomalee. A Robinson Crusoe hide and chic rustic retreat, with thatched roofed cabins sandwiched between the lagoon and the Indian Ocean. 6 hours drive across the island from Colombo, or there are domestic Cinnamon Air flights.

The Fortress Resort and Spa is regarded as one of the top resorts on the south coast. The hotel takes its design influence from the Portuguese and Dutch inspired fort at Galle which is 20 minutes away. Colombo airport is just under 3 hours drive.

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris is totally authentic, under canvas safari experiences. You are up close and personal with nature – a wonderful unique experience. You have a choice of two camps. The most established is at Yala National Park, located on the south east corner of the island. Sri Lanka’s second largest park covering 979 sq.km, it is easily accessible following a tour of the Tea Country and / or Galle and the southern resorts.

Kahanda Kanda Galle is a beautiful CHIC boutique retreat. Totally exquisite, understated elegance and simple refinement. Located on a hillside, 30 minutes drive from Galle City, overlooking Koggala Lake and set adjacent to its own working tea estate.

Ceylon Tea Trails – Located close to Hatton and Nuwara Eliya, in the heart of planter country, this area is regarded as the most scenic. Remote, wonderfully atmospheric, usually with misty mornings and cool evenings.

The accommodation is split into 4 colonial style bungalows, each with 4 to 6 individual bedrooms. Here the arrangements include breakfast, lunch and dinner with of course afternoon tea.

The KK Beach resort is a delightful and simply charming hotel with just 10 rooms and suites. Essentially adult-only. Located on an expansive beachfront at Habaraduwa, 20 minutes drive from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle. Sister property to the equally boutique Kahanda Kanda

Jetwing Vil Uyana is a heaven for nature lovers, with the dramatic Sigiriya Rock almost overlooking the resort. It is located about 4 hours drive from Colombo Airport and city, and is usually combined as part of a multi- centre tour of the island. However it also makes a good base for exploring the cultural triangle so stays are 4 nights plus are not unusual.

We are delighted to be an appointed partner of this outstanding collection of Teardrop Hotels in Sri Lanka. Small, stylish, service driven boutique hotels that champion the islands rich diversity of cultures and influences.