Aliya Resort & Spa 

Where nature and culture meet

A peaceful oasis in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle with rural surroundings and Sigiriya views.

Days in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle tend to be action-packed and relaxation time is often at a premium. At this beautiful resort, whose name means ‘elephant’ in Sinhalese, we recommend setting aside at least an afternoon to recharge. You don’t need to worry that you’ll miss out on anything. The welcoming infinity pool has direct views of one of the island’s most iconic sights, Sigiriya Rock, as does the main restaurant, while the lushly planted grounds – particularly the corner where you’ll find a serene Ayurvedic spa – are a calm oasis away from the busy rocks, ruins and temples.

Why we love Aliya Resort & Spa

  • You’ll be blown away by the uninterrupted views of Sigiriya Rock the minute you step into the airy lobby

  • There are rock-fortress views, too, from the stunning infinity pool, whose design is inspired by another ancient cultural site

  • You can savour traditional Sri Lankan village-style cuisine at its most authentic in the resort’s own agricultural museum

  • It has secluded wooden chalets for two overlooking the jungle and family-friendly spaces with attic rooms for the children 

4 stars
Dec - Mar
Colombo 10½ hours
At the heart of the Cultural Triangle, just 10 minutes south of Habarana
Approx. 4 hours by road from Colombo airport
Kids club, Suitable for children

Facilities

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Board
  • Spas & wellness
  • Sustainability

The culinary focus at Aliya’s three restaurants is firmly on local flavours, with a nod to other cuisines from further afield.

Alaka
At the resort’s main restaurant, simple but wonderfully flavour-filled Sri Lankan, Asian and international dishes are served buffet style with superb views towards Sigiriya.

Nagula
On the veranda of the resort’s paddy museum, you can lunch or dine on traditional dishes cooked in clay pots in a simple village-style kitchen and presented to you in leaf bowls.

Migara\  Open from 10am to 10pm, this coolly contemporary coffee shop/bar serves up hot and cold drinks, cocktails and western snacks against a backdrop of jazz or live local music and elephant-inspired décor.

If you like to embrace the cuisine and traditions of the places you visit, a traditional village-style meal overlooking the paddy fields at the resort’s agricultural museum is a must.

Whats Included

Breakfast at Alaka

Upgrade Options

Half Board • Breakfast and dinner at Alaka
Full Board • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Alaka

At AyurVie, an Ayurvedic spa situated in thatched buildings close to the surrounding rice paddies, you can enjoy a range of holistic treatments including herbal oil massages, facials and herbal baths. Our pick for tired feet is Abhyanga, a reflexology session best enjoyed in the outdoor pavilion. Free yoga and meditation classes are offered each morning. There’s a large gym equipped with cardio and weight machines, along with a badminton court. Otherwise, you could gently stretch your legs on a bike tour to a nearby village - the hotel has bicycles and and twelve new electric bikes.

The resort’s organic garden, irrigated with recycled water, grows many of the vegetables and spices for the kitchens. A paper-recycling plant provides work for locals, who create new products such as baggage labels, and reduces waste. As part of the Reconstruire et Vivre project, local schoolchildren are given the benefit of free computer classes. You’ll see an example of recycling on a grand scale in the cosy wooden chalets, which are built from reclaimed pallets. A recent addition is the hotel's paper recycling factory where guests can make something to take home.

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