Leopard Trails Yala Camp

Built in 1684 and converted into a hotel in 1863, the Amangalla is a beautiful historic property with plenty of old-world charm. The hotel features 30 rooms and suites, all with high ceilings, original Burmese teak floors and large windows that look out over the gardens, the harbour or the Extending the length of the hotel on the ground floor is a beautiful verandah with colourful floor tiles and palm trees. Here you can enjoy afternoon tea or a refreshing drink as you sit and watch the world go by. Step inside and you’ll find yourself in the Great Hall with its lofty ceilings, period lighting and overhead fans. The dining room sits at one end, an elegant space with crisp white linen and antique silverwear. Here you can enjoy traditional Sri Lankan dishes centred around what the chef finds that day in the local markets. At the other end of the hall is the lounge, the perfect place to enjoy a cup of Ceylon tea or an evening cocktail. There is also a library with a range of books on the history, culture and arts of Sri Lanka. Relax and unwind at the spa which features hot and cold plunge pools and a sauna, as well as treatment rooms where you can enjoy traditional Sri Lankan therapies. Take a dip in the refreshing waters of the outdoor pool, surrounded by the lush greenery of the garden or enjoy a morning yoga class in the yoga pavilion to set yourself up for a day of exploring.

Amanwella is a tranquil hideaway set amid palm trees that spill down to the golden beach and the sea, a little west from laid-back Tangalle. 27 contemporary suites are open to the sights and sounds of the bay with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. On one side they lead onto the entrance courtyard with a private plunge pool, the other to an expansive terrace with sun loungers, dining table and chairs, and views of the coconut grove, beach and ocean. The restaurant serves fish straight off local fishermen’s boats and local produce sourced by the chef at the nearby market – an experience you can join to discover more about this fertile island. The beach is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and surfing, some of the best in the region in fact, while a little further out you can try your hand at fishing. Blue whales can be sighted on their annual migration from December to April, as well as sperm whales and spinner dolphins. Turtles can be spotted laying their eggs on the beach a little way along the coast and, inland, Yala and Udawalawe National Parks can be explored. There’s also a rich cultural heritage with a landscape dotted with ancient temples and you can even try your hand at pottery with a local artisan.

Sat atop a small peninsula jutting out into the Indian Ocean, Cape Weligama is one of Sri Lanka’s finest resorts. A collection of private suites and villas offering 39 huge bedrooms in total are laid out like a traditional village with stylish living spaces beneath terracotta tiled rooftops. All enjoy butler services, a large terrace with dining and spa facilities, steam room, stone bathtubs, spacious walk in wardrobes and state of the art in room entertainment systems. Between these are tropical gardens and 14 swimming pools, some private and some shared, such as the incredible 60m crescent shaped infinity pool with fine sea views. You’ll also find four restaurants, with Pola serving the day’s freshest catch and the Cape Colony Club a relaxed yet refined venue for traditional high tea and sunset cocktails. Spa treatments can be organised in room, or head to the Spa Villa to indulge with homegrown spice scrubs and bespoke massages that incorporate Ceylon tea, an ingredient renowned for its antioxidant, anti-ageing and calming properties. There are two adjacent public beaches and a reef provides safe swimming conditions. The Sports Centre is staffed by professionals and is the embarkation point for all land and water-based activities, such as PADI dive courses and exciting dives, private cruises, big game fishing, seasonal whale and dolphin-watching trips aboard a luxury catamaran, kayaking and snorkelling. You can also explore Sri Lanka’s lush rural hinterland of sleepy villages, paddy fields, meandering lagoons and ancient temples on guided bicycle rides.

The Ceylon Tea Trails resort is the ideal place from which to explore this breathtaking part of Sri Lanka. Dating back to colonial times, five spacious bungalows feature antique furniture and exemplary, personalised service. With between four and six rooms, they are perfect for families and small groups. All of the 26 rooms and suites, which are named after tea planters who lived there, are elegantly outfitted in natural colours and materials, and make for a tranquil escape. Spend time out on the veranda in the fresh mountain air enjoying the views of Castlereagh Lake, the Bogawantalawa Valley and Dunkeld Estate; or curl up with a book in front of a fire. Take long, leisurely walks through the tea plantations learning all about the ancient process of making tea, enjoy a tempting spread of sweet treats on the lawns or have a light lunch at the pool side. Sri Lankan-inspired meals at Ceylon Tea Trails feature the freshest of seasonal produce with home grown vegetables, herbs and teas from the estate. Rates at Tea Trails are fully inclusive of meals and drinks. Make the most of the calming surroundings and start the day with an aromatic bath, or treat yourself to a selection of therapeutic spa treatments in your room. Get a healthy dose of fresh air and explore some of the walking and biking routes through the mountains, or enjoy a game of tennis or croquet.