Bordered by paddy fields, ancient reservoirs and teaming with wildlife, Ulagalla is a romantic hideaway within the Cultural Triangle. Serene stilted villas, many with private plunge pools, are scattered around nearly 60 acres of lush grounds. Inside, detailed wooden carvings and antiques are mixed with rattan and crisp linens. If this all sounds too good to leave, there is no reason to - private dining can be arranged on the expansive terraces, offering the chance to spot langur monkeys and some of the 90 bird species that frequent the estate.
The main mansion, built in the Dutch colonial style in 1916, houses a timber-raftered bar as well as Liya Wela, the fabulous open-sided restaurant with garden views that produces a delectable array of international and Sri Lankan classics. Ulagalla’s on-site spa makes for an ideal venue to unwind, providing signature treatments in a cooling sanctuary built to resemble an underground cavern.
