After years of troubles, Sri Lanka is finally turning into the luxury travel hot spot is probably always should have been
The tiny, teardrop-shaped country of Sri Lanka has seen disaster after disaster in the last five years, from the Easter bombings of 2019 to the pandemic desolation to the 2022 financial crisis. And thanks to those troubles, it’s largely been seen as a budget destination, as discerning tourists preferred calmer waters. But the island nation has an inspiring story of resilience to tell.
As the dust settles, the country is upping its game and luring big spenders and mindful travelers eager to explore its epicurean, heritage, and wildlife offerings. It’s an explicit government strategy focused on attracting quality over quantity, and it’s paying off. Case in point: the Airport and Aviation Services’ “Gold Route” service at Bandaranaike International Airport has been a big success.
Indian hotel chain ITC opened its first international outpost in the capital city of Colombo earlier this year. The ITC Ratnadipa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is a gleaming addition to the city’s skyline with a sky bridge that connects the two towers and features two swimming pools as well as the Ahasa bar nearly 100 metres up in the clouds. It has quickly become the hottest sundowner spot in the city, and the panoramic views are supplemented with craft cocktails and live music. All 352 rooms and suites here have private balconies and waterfront views of either the Indian Ocean or the Beira Lake. Guests are spoilt for choice with nine restaurants and bars, including the famous modern Indian eatery, Avartana.
Cape Weligama, a Relais & Châteaux property (and part of the Resplendent Ceylon group), has undergone a noteworthy renovation in time for its 10th anniversary. The grande dame of Sri Lanka’s southern coast reopened yesterday with a fancy new Balinese-style beach club that has direct access to Cove Beach and the surfing bay. The beach resort has interconnected eight of its suites for families and three of its residences for guests who need more privacy. All rooms feature upgraded technology including Ruark audio systems. Parents will love the Forest School Kids Club, which keeps little ones engaged through activities like tree-climbing, sand play, and gardening. A versatile new event space called the Moon Room (with an adjoining garden) will be used for private dining and intimate celebrations, and the Surf bar will relaunch with a specialty cocktail menu and an extensive book collection.
Close by on the same coast lies the Six—a collection of six slick villas that has quietly been hosting royalty and VIPs since December 2023. Each villa has four bedrooms, a private pool, a sauna, and its own design theme inspired by a specific island in Hawaii, Italy, Australia, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Greece. Located on the surf spot of Midigama, the beachfront mansions come with two butlers each, and the kitchen specializes in a seafood-forward menu. Guests can book incredible curated experiences such as safaris, whale watching, mask-making, cinnamon plantation tours, and more. But the cherry on top is their impeccable service. Want to watch a movie under the stars? Enjoy a sunset beach picnic? Get an indulgent facial? No request is too big for their staff, who go out of their way to anticipate their guests’ every need.
Adjacent to the coast, Yala National Park has a brand-new riverfront wildlife lodge called the Warden’s House located in its unexplored block five. The property offers a curated and immersive experience of Sri Lankan wilderness. Designed like a colonial bungalow, the hotel has four spacious suites and is spread across seven acres of forest. A farm-to-table menu of regional Sri Lankan cuisine will delight foodies. Experiences include game drives with some of the best guides in Yala (who have more than a decade of experience), birdwatching along the Menik river, jungle barbecues, and riverside picnics. Wildlife enthusiasts will cherish the untouched surroundings far from the overtourism of Yala’s block one while culture vultures will appreciate that some of the country’s most revered spiritual shrines are close enough to visit.
Now that the luxury hotels are finally here, take our advice and get to Sri Lanka before the crowds do.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by The Warden House
