Looking to read a detailed Uga Ulagalla Hotel review before booking your next trip to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka? You’ve come to the right place!
The award winning 5-star luxury hotel is nestled in a sprawling 58-acre tropical garden with a postcard-perfect 150-year old mansion handsomely perched at its centre.
I spent 2 nights in a luxurious pool villa at the hotel. My Uga Ulagalla review features info on the luxury hotels accommodation options, wellness programs, restaurants and unique on-site amenities.
Book A Luxurious Holiday at Uga Ulagalla in Sri Lanka
Uga Escapes is one of Sri Lanka’s most luxurious hotel companies, operating award winning 5 star properties in Colombo, Yala, Negombo, Hatton, Trincomalee, Pasikuda and Anuradhapura.
Uga Ulagalla is an all-villa resort, situated near the quiet village of Tirappane. The intimate boutique hotel features just 25 villa sanctuaries, fit for a Sri Lankan King!
Ulagalla Walawwa (walawwa roughly translates to manor house) was constructed as a residence for Ulagalla Rate Mahattaya (the ruler of the area) in the early 1900s. The resort’s historic mansion has an impressive facade, large ground-level masonry columns support the balcony with slender timber columns at the upper level.
Uga purchased the property in 2005, lovingly resorting the historic manor house, which now houses the hotel’s reception, restaurant, bar, and kitchen.
The bucolic natural surroundings exude a sense of peace and relaxation, surrounded by lush greenery and the hotel’s impressive 58-acre estate. Within a 5-minute walk from the property, guests can explore natural lakes, local wildlife, and rural village life.
The sustainably minded hotel boasts its own solar farm that supplies over 30% of the hotel’s energy requirement, making it the ideal eco-friendly holiday. Uga Ulagalla also extends its do-good philosophy by operating a Reverse Osmosis plant, providing safe drinking water to hotel guests as well as over 150 families in the nearby village.
Those visiting Sri Lanka with a sense of adventure can enjoy kayaking, horse riding, archery, cycling, yoga, and a signature drive to the Nachchaduwa Lake and organic garden tours within the resort premises.
The resort also boasts an onsite Elephant Research Centre, where guests can learn about the majestic animals.
Three popular tourist attractions are located within a short day drip drive from Uga Ulagalla: ancient ruins of Anuradhapura (30 minutes), plus Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park (both 1 hour) offering excellent opportunities to go on a safari.
Uga Ulagalla Hotel Review Highlights
Upon check-in, guests are welcomed with a cold scented towel, cups of chilled King coconut water and a traditional Sri Lankan coconut pancake. A welcome ritual is then performed at the entrance that gives the guest insights into the history of the property and Sri Lankan culture.
Before booking your trip, here are a list of highlights that make the Uga Ulagalla in Sri Lanka stand out from the rest:
- The hotel is sustainably minded and keen to make a positive impact. The property produces energy through solar power, provide clean drinking water to guests and the local village via a treatment plant, and operate an educational Elephant Research Centre.
- Uga Ulagalla is the best luxury hotel in central Sri Lanka, offering 5 star service to guests staying in 25 luxurious pool villa sanctuaries. It’s the perfect honeymoon escape for romantic couples.
- Rest and relax at the hotel’s soothing spa, which offers massages, body scrubs, wraps and facials.
- Keep fit on holiday at the 24 hour fitness centre, which is outfitted with gym equipment in a boutique setting.
- On a hot day cool off by swimming in the hotel’s impressive Olympic-sized pool.
- The property features 2 unique culinary concepts, including a farm-to-table Sri Lankan restaurant and fusion global cuisine.
- A helipad is located on the property for discerning travelers requiring a helicopter transfer from Colombo International Airport or Ratmalana Airport.
- Nature lovers will spot peacocks, monkeys, turtles, salamanders and even elephants on the property.
Accommodation
The most important question you have to ask yourself when reading a Uga Ulagalla Hotel review is, “what type of accommodation would I like to book for my holiday?”
Uga Ulagalla’s accommodations are nothing short of exquisite, considered some of the most luxurious pool villas in all of Sri Lanka.
The resort features 3 unique villa accommodations: a two bedroom Nikawewa Pool Villa, 5 one bedroom Deluxe Pool Villas, and 19 Ulagalla Pool Villas.
The resort’s signature Ulagalla Pool Villa’s are a spacious 1400 sqf, perfect for a romantic couples getaway or small family holiday.
Glass walls offer unobstructed, panoramic view of the scenic, unspoiled, natural wonder of each villas unique surroundings.
Skip inside and you’ll encounter pure luxury and comfort. Equipped with air conditioning, high-end entertainment systems, comfy King sized beds, cozy sofa, hardwood floors, dining area, large bathroom with rain shower, living room, mini bar, spacious outdoor terrace, and secluded private plunge pool.
Nightly turndown service features a local sweet surprise placed on your pillow, typically Sri Lankan sweets like milk toffee, coconut toffee, or dark chocolate.
Uga Spa
If you’re looking to rest and relax while vacationing in Sri Lanka book a spa day at Uga Ulagalla’s luxurious wellness retreat.
The walls of the spa sanctuary are built with wattle and have an inconspicuous appearance. The spa is further concealed by lush foliage, a perfect escape for those looking to primp and pamper in Anuradhapura.
Uga Spa was designed to resemble an underground cavern, which is outfitted with expert therapists who offer relaxing massages, scrubs, body wraps and facials.
Highlights from the spa menu include a decadent Four Hands Massage, Turmeric & Sandalwood Body Scrub, and Ginger & Honey Wrap.
Uga Ulagalla Restaurants
No Uga Ulagalla review is complete until you’ve had an opportunity to wag your finger down each of the hotel’s marvellous menus.
The hotel offers 2 unique restaurant concepts, Kamatha, an award-winning traditional Sri Lanka restaurant located in a paddy field, and Liyawela, serving international fusion flavours at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The hotel’s wine cellar plays home to 45 different wine varieties from the old and new world, including France, Italy, Africa, Chile, USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Spain.
The beverage program also includes ice-cold local beers and a craft cocktail menu infused with local flavours like the signature Ulagalla Fizz featuring a house infused gin with fresh ginger, lemongrass, and lime.
Unlike other luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, Uga Ulagalla offers guests a fully immersive Sri Lankan cooking experience through its own organic farm and rice paddy field, allowing guests to engage in a hands-on culinary experience during their stay.
Kamatha
Locals say you haven’t tasted authentic Sri Lankan cuisine until you fully experience a Kamatha meal – feasting at a rice paddy dining pavilion that serves revered historic royal recipes.
The Kamatha menu uses freshly harvested ingredients that are transformed into more than 25 dishes, which are prepared by women from the local village who live just outside the property.
These thoughtful multi-course meals incorporate vegetables harvested at Uga Ulagalla’s organic farm, lake fish, free-range meats, traditional breads and old-world rice harvested in the paddy fields that surround the al fresco dining room.
The Kamatha restaurant’s extravagant multi-dish menus evolve with the seasons. During our visit we enjoyed feasting on Chips with Curry Leaf Chutney, Water Lily Rice, Corn Pittu, Sring Hoppers, Mutton Curry, Sri Lankan BBQ Chicken, Pineapple Curry and Fried Okra.
Liyawela
Located on the first floor of the manor house, Liyawela is Uga Ulagalla’s all-day-dining concept, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Guests each morning wake up to the world to tuck into a flavour-packed breakfast at Liyawela. The resort’s impressive breakfast menu features both Western favourites and local Sri Lankan specialities.
For those missing a taste of home you’ll find Bircher Muesli, Yogurt Parfait, Scrambled Egg Burrito, Shakshuka, Crispy Coconut Waffle, Roasted Paan Spiced French Toast and Smoked Salmon Bagels. We recommend enjoying a taste traditional Sri Lankan breakfast such as Sweet Pittu, Crispy Rice Hoppers served with a selection of curries, and Coconut Rotti.
Dinner at Liyawela is an enchanting culinary journey, similarly offering a mix of Western flavours and local Sri Lankan fare. You’ll find familiar dishes like Tropical Tuna Tartare, Herb-crusted Lamb Chops, Squash Feta Ravioli, and Grilled Beef Fillet with Dauphinoise potato gratin.
Liyawela’s Sri Lankan specialities burst with flavour with favourites including Chicken Kottu Roti, Creamy Yellow Lentil Soup, Chicken String Hoppers, and Chilli Crab Fried Rice.
Uga Ulagalla Anuradhapura Contact
Ulagalla Walawwa, 94-252-117-100
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