For a lot of people, when Sri Lanka or Ceylon is mentioned, tea is the first thing that comes to mind. You can’t blame them, for Ceylon tea is some of the best to be found in the entire world. Indeed, I know some people who will not settle for anything less than Ceylon tea.

If you are a tea enthusiast, then Ceylon should be at the top of your list of travel destinations. Naturally, you would expect to find accommodations that highlight this national specialty. If we’re to rely on the opinions of experts and seasoned travelers, you will not go wrong in choosing the Tea Factory Hotel. The name itself tells you what to expect – what you see is what you get.

The Tea Factory Hotel is a hotel located in the premises of a tea factory. It is as authentic as you can get, really. The edifice used to be a tea factory, and the current hotel bedrooms used to be the areas where tea leaves were withered. For those unfamiliar with the tea making process, withering is the first step in manufacturing black tea. Once the tea leaves (still green) are picked, they are delivered to the factory to be withered. There is no doubt about it – even in your very room, you can feel the genuineness of the tea factory experience in this hotel.

The Tea Factory Hotel is located in Nuwara Eliya, a town about 160 kilometers from Colombo. It is set at 2,200 meters above sea level, making the conditions perfect for growing tea. The hotel is classified as a 4-star hotel, making sure that guests enjoy the luxury and pampering that they are yearning for. There are 57 rooms in the hotel, 4 of which are deluxe. All of the rooms are heated or cooled, depending on the needs and preferences of the guests. Rooms are also equipped with satellite TV, phones with IDD access, and Internet ports. For a relaxing bath after a long day of rambling around the estate, the attached bathrooms are equipped with bathtubs and showers (with hot water, naturally).

Within the hotel, there is a small tea factory, which is open for the use of guests. An experience that you must not miss is picking your own tea leaves from outside of the hotel and then turning them over to the factory for processing. At the end of the whole process, you may enjoy a cup (or two) of tea made from the very leaves that you picked up!

Around the estate, guests may enjoy the ambiance of an authentic tea plantation. You will certainly enjoy interacting with the plantation workers, who find it a pleasure to share their craft with others. There are also natural springs around the area. The best time to visit this area is from March to May, which are the hottest months of the year. Be warned, though, that April usually draws in crowds of people yearning for the authentic Ceylon tea experience.

One of the most interesting places to visit in Sri Lanka is the Yala National Park. With the interest in eco tourism continuously increasing these days, this national park welcomes a steady stream of visitors. Eco tourism is perhaps one of the most significant developments in the travel industry today. We have all seen – and are seeing – what we’ve done to the environment. And, while we can travel all we want, we cannot ignore the fact that we need to pay more attention to our surroundings. No matter how luxurious a trip to Sri Lanka may be, we also need to take a look at the impact of our activities on the environment. And, that’s where eco tourism comes into the picture.

Going back to the premier eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka – Yala National Park – any environmentally conscious visitor absolutely cannot miss it! Yala National Park is not very near Colombo. In fact, it is about 300 kilometers from Colombo and is much nearer to Tissamaharama – about 24 kilometers northeast.

This national park covers a huge tract of land, more than 100,000 hectares of it! With this size, Yala National Park offers visitors a huge variety of ecosystems – the eco tourist’s idea of heaven! From monsoon forests (both humid and dry) to thorn forests to deciduous forests – you can find them all in the national park. There are also wetlands as well as sandy beaches. Indeed, Yala National Park will not bore you for one minute.

If you’re a leopard enthusiast, then you will Yala National Park as it is widely recognized as one of the best places in the world to observe this magnificent animal! For this activity, you have to visit Yala West (Ruhuna) National Park , which covers a huge block of land. FYI, the Sri Lankan leopard is the largest of its kind in Asia. There are about 30 leopards in the park; and, while that may seem few, it is the highest density of leopards in the entire world!

There are countless land based and water based activities that visitors can undertake in the national park. For the former, you can take your pick from leopard watching, bird watching, caving, cycling, mountain biking, hiking or trekking, offroad adventures, rock climbing, and safaris. For the latter, the choices are just as varied: fishing (both inland and deep sea), kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, turtle watching, whale watching, dolphin watching, white water rafting, water skiing, and wind surfing. And, that’s not even the full list!

Important info: the best time to visit is between May and August, when the weather is quite dry. Also, the park closes for a bit sometime in September and October.

If you’re interested – and I can’t see why anyone would NOT be interested – in visiting Yala National Park, you can visit their web site for more specific information. In this day and age, responsible and conscious tourism (as I like to call it) is something that we all ought to engage in.

After a long day shopping and soaking in the fascinating sights of Colombo, Havelock Place Bungalow is the perfect place to come back to. Its existence has always been a cherished secret to those ‘in the know’. Described by many guests as an oasis in a busy city, this elegant retreat tucked away down a quiet leafy cul-de-sac in the heart of the capital was in fact Colombo’s first boutique hotel and prides itself on its high standard of personalized service in a homely and comfortable setting. Built in the 1940s, the hotel consists of two bungalows, which have been cleverly combined and entwined within a landscaped tropical garden, that provide all modern conveniences within a charming colonial setting.

Having initially opened as an art gallery, fascinating paintings and prints still envelope the walls of the villa especially in the comfortable living room which, with its little library is the main social focal point to the property. Housing three suites and four standard rooms, each with their own courtyard or garden access, Havelock Place Bungalow has a surprisingly large garden full of flowering plants, shady trees, lush foliage and little ponds. A swimming pool and Jacuzzi is located beside an outdoor terrace with a little spot for sunbathing.

Being centrally located in the capital, Havelock Place Bungalow is the ideal place to rest at the start or end of your holiday, or as a base for exploring the exciting museums, historical sights, temples, parks and beaches that Colombo offers. There are many renowned restaurants close by while the villa is a perfect base for some last minute shopping at the end of your holiday.

The charming little hotel comprises seven comfortable and homely rooms – three suites and four standard rooms – each decorated and furnished in a different style with access to a private terrace or to the garden. Rooms come in different shapes and sizes but they are all stylishly decorated with genuine antiques including canopied four poster beds, interesting writing bureaus and wardrobes. Wi-Fi is available and all rooms have telephones. Each is air-conditioned and has en-suite bathrooms with hot water available throughout the day.

Havelock also offers excellent home cooked cuisine which has been consistently highly praised by past guests. Cooked by expert local chefs – under the supervision of Havelock’s owner Sharmala – who combine the freshest local ingredients with western cooking styles the result is a fusion of flavours that include Italian and Mediterranean specialities. The daily menu is written on a blackboard every day with choices of specials based on whichever ingredients were the freshest and best that morning when the chefs went to do the shopping. The fabulous selection of home-made ice creams and sorbets made by Sharmala should not be missed – we recommend you try the passion fruit sorbet. Delicious!

Meals may be served to you in the bistro-like restaurant or even out in the tropical garden. If you prefer to dine in your room or suite this can also be arranged – emphasis on personalized service is very important here. Breakfast consists of either western, Sri Lankan or Continental variations and along with the main meal dishes are all very reasonably priced. They also offer a good selection of imported wines.

The rates for accommodation range from $80 for a standard room and $130 for a suite. As usual, we recommend that you contact the hotel directly to make your booking.

Accreditation: Sri Lanka In Style

Some readers have given us feedback on this blog, saying that while they love the luxe angle and reviews of top accommodations in Sri Lanka, they would also like more insight into the real, everyday Ceylon. While we might say that this isn’t really what this site is about, as outlined in our first post, we do accept that too much coverage of luxury travel with no relation as to what you can expect outside and around your chosen home might not be a completely realistic representation.

So we are asking our readers to contribute reviews on their experience of Sri Lanka. One email we received is from Prudence Cook- a writer from Australia who served a month’s internship as a journalist with Upali Newspapers.

“It was dark when I arrived in Sri Lanka and, after 24 hours worth of flights and transits, I was tired. I tried to make polite chit-chat with my driver, but neither of us could understand the others accent so I resigned myself to looking out the window sleepily, taking in my first impressions of the country that was to be my home for the next month. All I managed to make out were colourful Buddha’s in brightly lit glass enclosures and silhouettes of soldiers, the shadows playing against their guns making them look enormous.

My first days passed in a slow haze of jetlag and humidity, and a particularly nasty trip on a jagged piece of concrete protruding from the sidewalk. I left a trail of blood all the way back to the hotel and have worn closed toed shoes ever since.

People assume that coming from Australia I should be used to the heat, but I’ve come from Melbourne in the middle of winter and it’s freezing. Where I’m from, we have dry heat that penetrates your skin and send people running for the shade until a cool change comes through in the evening. Here the heat is heavy and sticky all of the time. The only respite comes from a cold shower, and even then, feeling of being fresh and clean is fleeting.

The traffic is perhaps the first thing you notice in Sri Lanka that is entirely different from home. Lanes, traffic lights, road signs and pedestrian crossings are indicators only and not necessarily firm rules. Car horns, unlike at home where a toot is usually followed by a stream of abuse and a rude hand gesture, are simply used as a common courtesy. Although its congested and chaotic, at least the traffic is constantly moving. I’m usually a poor passenger, tensing as cars approach and often clutching at my seat during fast turns, but surprisingly, I’ve remained relaxed in Sri Lankan traffic, even when my driver has to negotiate cows, dogs, tuk-tuks and hair-raising roundabouts.

The public transport too, has left me unfazed. Initially I was nervous as I had heard horror stories from other travellers, and even some Sri Lankans seem surprised that I regularly take the bus, but I don’t mind the sharp corners, the exhaust fumes in my face and the dust under my eyes. The buses here are no more crowded than Melbourne ’s public transport and there’s a slight exhilaration to jumping on and off a bus that’s in motion.

The first question I am always asked by both Sri Lankans, and my friends and family at home is always about food. Luckily for me, I have always been a fan of spicy foods, and the novelty of spice, rice and curry at every meal is yet to wear off. I’m always provided with a knife and fork to eat my dinner, but I find that eating with my fingers allows for a greater blending of flavours and gives you a closer relationship with your food. The fruit here is the best I have ever tasted and it saddens me to think that when I get back to Australia , the mangos, bananas and pineapples will never taste as sweet as they did in Sri Lanka . I don’t think I will find a king coconut or a mangosteen anywhere in Australia , particularly not at the ready, sitting brightly coloured and appetizing on a roadside stall.

Sri Lankans are wonderful people, genuinely interested and happy to help out. Unlike other Asian countries, where asking for directions, or getting someone to take a photo of you will result in you being fleeced out of cash, Sri Lankans will go out of their way to ensure you enjoy their beautiful country. I’ve had a gentleman lead me across several pulsing roadways in order to ensure that I get settled onto the right bus, conversing with the conductor in Sinhalese on my behalf to ensure that I arrived at the right destination.

Perhaps the thing that took the longest to become accustomed to is the concept of Sri Lankan time. I have always been incredibly punctual and impossibly impatient, two characteristics that are only accentuated by the frenetic pace, corporate drive and hustle and bustle of Melbourne city. Here, everything runs late, but no one is fazed by that, it’s just accepted. It took me a good two weeks before I lost my purposeful stride and learnt to amble along at a slow walking pace like my fellow pedestrians, although sometimes I catch myself starting to hurry and stop myself, because there really is no need. I envy the Sri Lankan ability to sleep anywhere at anytime.

In addition to my new found patience, I m also learning that personal space, something revered back home, is not only unknown in Sri Lanka , but also unnecessary. Being jostled along is simply a requirement in getting where you’re going and even the slightest hesitation will mean that you miss opportunities. There are no ladies before gentlemen rules, but I don’t mind. If you’re not quick enough, you miss out. It’s a simple philosophy and I think it’s quite effective. It’s kept me on my toes.

I heard many a story from other travelers about bad things can that happen in Sri Lanka , but I am yet to experience any of it. All my experiences, with the exception perhaps of a few close calls in Colombo’s traffic, have been pleasant and I far prefer the company of Sri Lankans to the other travelers I have met, who want everything to be the same as home only cheaper, or expatriates, who enjoy the luxury’s of five star living without ever really getting to know the real Sri Lanka and its people. Sri Lankans have welcomed me into their homes and lives, explaining the ins and outs of their lifestyles and diets, and preventing me from making ignorant faux-pas. Their generosity, kindness and hospitality are something that I hope my fellow Australians can aspire to.

Everything in Sri Lanka, no matter how foreign it is to me, is endearing in its own way; the cows grazing contentedly beneath the perfectly manicured hedges of the roundabouts, the smell of incense and the sound of sweeping coming from the temples of an evening and the man in the faded blue sarong who I pass on the bus every morning who cuts up fish with three expectant cats lined up at his feet. There is an inherent beauty to this land, and something delightful and rewarding can be taken from every little experience.

Sri Lanka has helped me to be more patient, open-minded and accepting and has also planted in me the firm belief that I am capable of doing anything. I won’t miss the mosquito bites, or the smell of rotting trash on my walk to the bus in the morning, but these are minor annoyances that have in no way detracted from my over all experience. Upon my return I think I’ll find that I miss Sri Lanka more than I missed Australia . I’ll come back, hopefully sooner rather than later, there is still so much more I need to see.“

Many thanks to Prudence for sending this! If any of you would like to send us your own experience and perspective on Sri Lanka, please use our contact form

In a previous post, we gave our top accommodation pick for Colombo: Park Street. If that happens to be full or you fancy something a little different, here is our second top pick for a boutique hotel in Colombo to suit the luxury traveler: Casa Colombo. This hotel is very conveniently and centrally located down a private lane just off the Galle Road.

Casa Colombo is a stunningly restored 200 year old Moorish mansion originally built by one of the wealthiest Indian trading families of the time. Combining old world charm with contemporary design, Casa is a tribute to the creative talents of its owner: Lalin Jinasena who innovatively custom designed everything from the cutlery and crockery to the furniture and fabrics- solely using craftsmen and materials from Sri Lanka. With no reception desk, Casa Domos personally look after you during your entire stay by taking care of any needs that may arise be it getting you a poolside drink, taking you on a city tour or sending an important business fax.

While Casa Colombo retains the fabulous Moorish architectural style that includes charming mosaic floors, it is unconventionally infused with an edgy personalized design that blends contemporary furniture, vibrant colors and the very latest technology. Space is an added luxury in each of the highly individualized suites while perhaps the most striking feature of the hotel is the pink mosaic swimming pool that could easily be the only one of its kind in the world! Glass and cement canopied day beds beside it come with two tune selectors for chilling in the tropical sun ideally with a glass of the CASA Nova signature cocktail.

A fabulous choice of restaurants and bars for such a small hotel means that you get to dine out every night, however Colombo’s finest are all at your doorstep. With such a central location in the capital- Casa has easy access to the city’s shopping and cultural attractions, while the hotel has a private spot on Mt Lavinia Beach for the exclusive use of Casa guests.

There are twelve suites all lavishly restored. Our favorite suite (if you’re feeling flush!) is the luxurious Royal Suite with its jacuzzi in the balcony- which will set you back about $400. Alternatively, book the Ebaneza Corporate Suite (which is the most spacious of its kind) for approx. $250. You can get one of the smaller suites for around $150, but then if you’re looking to travel Sri Lanka on a budget- you’re reading the wrong blog

As usual, we recommend contacting the hotel directly to book a room to cut out any middle men- they’ll appreciate it and are more likely to give you a better deal or at the very least take special care of you!

Up in the leafy hills of Kandy in the central part of the country, you’ll find the most extraordinary hotel- a technicolor vision of the old-world-meets-Goth, called Helga’s Folly. It’s a hotel and restaurant you’ll either love or hate – where literally every inch of space is painted or decorated with bright colours, fantasy murals, dripping candles and glitzy accessories crossed with the traditional – old paintings, antique furniture, stuffed animal heads and a wind-up gramophone playing Ella Fitzgerald.

Helga’s Folly is presided over Helga herself, a glamorous Anglophile in Jackie O sun glasses, with a tendency towards the eccentric:

“This is my home and I want everyone who visits it to feel at home. That is the point. I call it an Anti-Hotel! We give our in-house guests complimentary afternoon tea and before dinner serve cocktails and canapes. I try to make it feel like home. The main thing is that people must come back! And we are lucky enough to have a few that do return!”

Helga was described by the Times as “a benevolent Cruella deVil, complete with pet dalmatian” and the hotel was the home were she was raised. In those days, guests were people like Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and the Ghandis. These days it is fashion/rock star-types (Paula Yates reportedly loved it) and travellers looking for something different. Very different indeed! Helga comes from an illustrious family, and is the mother of British designer Selina Blow. Her history and exciting life is seen throughout the house, which is full of interesting memorabilia in every room.

But while the hotel rooms are lavishly over-the-top in style, it has been reported that they are in need of a face lift. You can choose from a variety of 40 rooms, all with wonderful balconies with views and air conditioning- from standard to the nutcracker suite, complete with a four-poster bed. A cinema room with DVDs for children was recently added, and parents will also be happy to know that the lovely staff here will entertain their children while they have a romantic dinner under the stars (at Helga’s you can choose to eat almost anywhere you please!). Facilities also include a swimming pool, lush gardens and a spa.

Whether or not this unusual place is your cup of tea, it is definitely worth a visit when you are in Kandy, which is easily one of the most picturesque places in Sri Lanka. Stop by for lunch at the very least as Helga’s now serves “Organic and Innovative” cuisine, and have a look around at this unique property- an unforgettable experience into Helga’s imagination.

Prices begin at $145 for a standard room, with breakfast $155. The Nutcracker Suite costs $440 a night, half board. For reservations, you can book directly thorough the hotel here.

The gardens at Lunuganga are a rare tropical Eden created by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most influential architect. And what started out as an abandoned rubber estate, is now one of the most unique places to stay in the country. Over a span of 50 years, Bawa lovingly made this enchanting house and it’s gardens his spiritual home, which is known today as his most personal life’s work. The intriguing estate in the coastal town of Bentota has interesting history of evolution:

Bawa never kept a systematic record of the evolution of the garden and its chronology is now hard to unravel. One fascinating diary of events is provided by a large leather-bound visitors’ book containing a plethora of photographs and sketches as well as signatures and greetings: in 1965 Ulrik Plesner reflects on the problems of the Hilton project; in 1966 Ismeth Raheem records having seen over forty species of bird during one afternoon; in 1973 Donald Friend leaves a doodle of his museum on Bali; in 1997 President Kumaratunga approves the designs of her new Official Residence; and in 1998 Prince Charles drops in for tea.

Perhaps the most memorable visit of all, however, was on 3 January 1988 when a friend called Ray Wijewardene flew down from Colombo in a microlight and, misjudging his landing, crashed into the main roof of the bungalow.

Today, magazines like GQ and Conde Nast Travel have called the property one of the best “boutique hotels” in the country, but what makes it so special is not its luxurious edge, but its historical significance, its tranquility, its unique artistic temperament – both refined and wild.

Lunuganga is an artist’s retreat for most of the year, where The Bawa Trust invites selected artists to stay and soak in the inspiration.

But even if you’re not an artist, you can get a taste of the Bawa experience from December to April, when the chic Lunuganga resort is open for a brief spell to the public, now run by Geoffrey Dobbs, the man behind many of Sri Lanka’s best boutique hotels. The gardens are rather large in 25 acres of lush greenery in the Italian style, owing to the years Bawa spent in Italy, which they say, led him to dream of creating a civilized Italian garden in the wilderness of Sri Lanka’s coast.

Guests staying here will delight in the unexpected delights the gardens have to offer – from romantic loggias and courtyards, to secret areas, pretty ponds and stunning views – of jungles, paddies and a lake – all perfect for picnics or quiet contemplation. While the outdoor spaces merge with indoor spaces, the overall style of the accommodations are startlingly simple – probably so as not to deter from the glory of the gardens.

Still, it is done with the utmost style, and together with the superb food and drink (try the bracingly delicious Lunuganga Sour and the comfort food prepared by non other than Bawa’s cook Catherine), the six ensuite bedrooms spread out from the main house to Bawa’s studio, to the house on Cinnamon Hill, are all elegantly and comfortably furnished, with private butlers at your disposal.

Lunuganga is two hours drive from Colombo and prices start at just £155. For more information or to book your stay, contact the Geoffrey Bawa Trust or various travel companies like Sri Lanka in Style. But before you do, here’s something by David Robson who wrote Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works:

In 1948 as Sri Lanka was shaking off the shackles of empire, a young man dreamt of making a garden. Today the garden is in its prime but, after the passage of over fifty monsoons, Sri Lanka has lost its innocence and the young man has grown old. As he sits in his wheelchair on the terrace and watches the sun setting across the lake it may be that he reflects on his achievement. Perhaps the garden had simply been waiting there for him to discover it beneath a canopy of jungle?

But this is a work of art, not of nature: it is the contrivance of a single mind and a hundred pairs of hands working together with nature to produce something that is ’supernatural’. What should become of this magic world? Ought it to be frozen or preserved? Ought it to become a national monument maintained by bureaucrats and trampled over by thousands of souvenir-hunting tourists? Better by far to let the jungle swallow it up than to see it turned into a travesty of its former self.

The majority of “luxury” hotels in Colombo are those big, grandiose “chain hotels”, part of much larger hotel groups. Examples of these would be the Hilton, the Cinnamond Grand and the Taj Samudra. While they may be quite comfortable and convenient, they certainly lack the charm, individuality and exclusivity of a “boutique hotel” that the discerning traveler is looking for.

By far the best of such luxury boutique hotels in Colombo is the Park Street Hotel. Situated right in the heart of the city near to all the major restaurants and shopping centers, Park Street is an oasis of tranquility and elegance, set within two acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Formerly the home of a colorful and eccentric couple who were members of Colombo’s “elite”, this 250 year old building was stylishly converted into a hotel by the Taru Villas Group, who own a collection of such boutique hotels around Sri Lanka, yet it retains all the original charm and authenticity of its previous look as a home, so that it really doesn’t feel like a hotel at all!

There are twelve rooms at Park Street, but calling them rooms is an understatement. Each room is larger and more luxurious than any suite one would find at one of the large, commercial hotels. Huge double-size king beds, a private dining area, an enormous jacuzzi- all decorated with top of the line furnishing in the “Modern meets Colonial” style of the Taru Group. The food is excellent, the swimming pool a delight, the massages heavenly and one has all the usual mod-cons in case one has to do some of the more serious stuff: a business center, WiFi everywhere in the hotel, an excellent gym and a very impressive library.

If you are looking for something a bit different and away from the usual commercial accommodation (and if you’re not, you shouldn’t be reading this blog!), then this is the ideal place for you to stay in Colombo. Rates are approx. $250 per room including breakfast and taxes, although if there’s availability you can bargain down to $200 by dropping Taru’s name (the owner). The booking form is here.

Perhaps one of the most luxurious places to stay in Sri Lanka, Amangalla is an oasis of colonial refinement in charming Galle Fort. Unlike most of the Aman group’s properties which have a resort-like feel, Amangalla is decidedly a town hotel, where the visitor can experience the architectural splendor of yesteryear first hand.

Previously the New Oriental Hotel, the building has always been of historical significance to the town of Galle, founded in 1885 by the Sarkie Brothers, the Malay (of Armenian origin) hoteliers who built the famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

Amangalla has respected, down to the finest detail, the heritage and natural appeal of its legendary predecessor by skilfully unveiling and restoring original features, furnishing the polished jack-wood floors with fine antiques and period-styled reproductions, the culmination of which reflects an ambiance of a bygone era.

It is surrounded by antiques, old prints, polished aged-floors, crisp white linen, pristine walls, rich mahogany, wood and rattan planters together with a gracious, welcoming and warm staff.

Restored to perfection in it’s original Dutch Colonial style, the hotel is a wonderful place to experience the Fort, not just because it perfectly complements the feel of the area, but because of its superb location, right in the heart of the Fort, which makes it easy for the visitor to explore the 400-year-old area on foot:

A leisurely walk leads past the old Dutch Church, the Governor’s house, the spice warehouses, Court Square, the Kacheri (town hall), the lighthouse and on to the sea wall and ramparts. Visit the mosque and meander down streets leading to cricket fields, the temple, and the old District Judge’s house surrounded by ancient frangipani treess.

After a morning’s exploration, you’ll be glad you’re staying at Amangalla because of the extra things this hotel offers which makes it special- the delicious food, the lovely pool area (with very cushy rest pavillions), the library (for those wanting to brush up on the Fort’s history, or maybe just check email), and the fabulous spa, which they call “The Baths” (try their 3 or 7 day Ayurvedic package- sheer bliss!), and of course the immensly comfortable rooms and suites. Those seeking a little extra privacy can also stay in the Garden House, a two-story detached house, brimming with charm, with its own dedicated butler to cater to your every whim.

It’s worth also shouting out a special mention to Olivia Richli- the manager of Amangalla. She is a long-term Galle Fort resident and knows the area like the back of her hand. So she is a huge help to anyone who stays and really gives an excellent all round service. She was also fantastic in the Tsunami- opening up the hotel as a hospital for victims.

And one more good thing about this Aman hotel is its prices, being relatively lower than other Aman properties. Rooms start at just $275.

Welcome to Ceylon Luxury! Sri Lanka (or Ceylon as it was once known) is considered by many to be the most beautiful country in the world. Stunning beaches, breathtaking mountain views, lush tea plantations, tranquil lakes, tropical forests and the list goes on….

The country lies next to the Maldives, which arguably has the best beaches of any country, and Kerala, the Southern state of India, which is also becoming an increasingly popular travel destination. Sri Lanka has a colorful past and is full of many natural resources, most notably its tea, coffee and spices. It is a predominantly Buddhist country (Theravada- early Buddhism) with an ancient culture that can still be seen today in many of the wonderful temples, monuments and sites. Sri Lanka was colonized by the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British before achieving independence in 1948. This rich and diverse history lends itself to a very unique culture which one can see in the architecture, arts and crafts. Sri Lanka is also a home to ayurvedic medicine, which makes it especially appealing for those Westerners who believe in holistic health techniques.

Couple these facts with the most charming, kind and hospitable people you are ever likely to encounter on your travels and you have a paradise just waiting to be visited.

However, owing to the continuing problems with the civil war in the North of the country, where government troops battle Tamil Tiger rebels, tourism is at an all time low in the country. Despite the reality of it being perfectly safe to travel to Sri Lanka in the central and southern regions, the constant bad news coming out in the media is keeping the mainstream tourists away. The situation wasn’t helped in December, 2004 when the Tsunami hit the West Coast of Sri Lanka very severley and the country has yet to properly recover from this terrible disaster.

Ironically, this situation of negative publicity has opened up a different area of travel in Sri Lanka- one of luxury. This niche is filled by the discerning traveler who can afford to spend that little bit extra and doesn’t pay attention to the worries of the mass tourism industry. Furthermore, this type of luxury traveler is rather attracted by the exclusivity and personal touch that one gets by being one of the special few. It’s like a “private club” growing in the middle of Asia and the “who’s who” are being catered for by those who know how to provide service in style.

Out of this rapidly growing luxury travel market in Sri Lanka are being born the most luxurious and exclusive boutique hotels, villas, private islands, spas, restaurants, shops, specialty tours and many other aspects of luxe travel.

It is this area of luxury travel in Sri Lanka that this blog is about. We want to share first-hand with readers our knowledge of traveling the country in style and hope that we can convert a few to visit this unique island paradise. We will be reviewing and featuring every aspect of luxe travel in Sri Lanka, whether that be the hotels, private villas, restaurants or tour companies. And we won’t be just regurgitating what you can find elsewhere on the web, as we actually know Sri Lanka intimately and regularly visit the place ourselves!

Finally, we’re not out to make our millions from this blog and so won’t be filling it up with spammy affiliate links and ads. Having said this, we are probably able help you if you are serious about visiting the country as we know many of the hotel owners, etc- so can likely get you a good deal. Therefore, do contact us if you would like our help or advice.