Highlights
- Luxurious, eco-friendly resort
- Access to Cultural Triangle
- Wide range of hotel-based activities
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireAn expansive resort set around a tastefully preserved chieftain’s mansion over 150 years old, Ulagalla Resort has an excellent reputation as one of Sri Lanka's top boutique hotels. Located in Anuradhapura, the centre of the Cultural Triangle, it offers quick and easy access to a delightful range of beautifully preserved ancient monuments. It’s set within 58 acres of mostly undisturbed wilderness, offering spectacular views of verdant paddy fields, wild scrubland and of course, the local wildlife. There are over 100 butterfly species and 100 bird species in the area - and guests may also be lucky enough to see peacocks and monkeys. Scattered across the resort’s grounds are 20 eco-friendly villas designed to offer visitors the highest level of comfort.
Ulagalla Resort certainly has some excellent eco-friendly credentials. The walls of its villas are made from recycled rice paddy. There’s an organic garden with over 40 edible fruits and vegetables. The resort itself has Sri Lanka’s largest solar farm, which provides half of the resort’s energy requirements.
Days can easily be filled visiting the Cultural Triangle's ancient cities, temples and holy places, but there's plenty to do on site as well. The resort offers activities such as guided nature walks, a guided village bicycle excursion, jungle kayaking, horseback tours, archery sessions and tours of the organic garden complete with cooking session. All of these activities are available for an extra charge, though any one of them is sure to be a worthwhile addition to a stay at the resort.
When it comes to dining, guests are spoiled for choice. Private dining can be arranged on guest verandas or out on the paddy fields. These exclusive dining experiences are most popular with couples seeking a cosy and intimate meal together, complete with delicious, authentic food and excellent service. There’s also the Liyawela restaurant, which serves a range of Sri Lankan cuisine that can be enjoyed in the open air complete with views of the surrounding scenery.
The villas are tastefully decorated with a chic and minimalistic feel. Each one is a hidden and secluded sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling glass panelled windows offering panoramic views. Visitors can relax in gorgeous surroundings and enjoy some restful peace and quiet. Of the villas, 19 of them have just one bedroom with a kingsize four-poster bed - these ones are perhaps best suited to couples, though you can request a cot or an extra bed for a child. The final one, Nikawewa Villa, has two bedrooms and is suitable for families of up to four, with two interconnected bedrooms. The resort is set in open wilderness with local wildlife free to roam, and while it's highly unlikely that animals will approach humans, parents are advised to keep an eye on their children at all times, plus there’s the main swimming pool and a plunge pool at all but two of the villas to bear in mind.
We had such a good holiday. You did a fantastic job!
The house in Marrakesh was ridiculous. We effectively had it to ourselves. The accommodation was borderline palatial.
I actually think that the time we had in Marrakesh was sufficient. We could potentially have done a day by a pool but I think we’d done enough souk-ing by the end of Day Two.
The hotel in the mountains was a shade more rustic than I was expecting, but all great fun. Stunning views. The guide / mule / cook team were excellent and our guide (Hassan) tailored the treks to our capabilities well. He was superb, and really made an effort with the kids. The second and third day of trekking were particularly good. Such an adventure for the kids.
All the logistics worked seamlessly. Every aspect went like clockwork. Top marks. The advice on tipping was also much appreciated (I hate thinking that I’m getting mugged off or am potentially not giving enough…).
From my seven-year-old son:
I thought it was GREAT. The food was amazing and the culture was very interesting. My favourite bit was scrambling up rocks in the Atlas Mountains.
In retrospect, I’d probably do the trip in reverse. Flopping on the roof terrace after the rigours of the mountains would have been even more satisfying.
Henry O
reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains
on 05 June 2025
We just wanted to thank you for an absolutely amazing holiday. Everything went exactly to plan and we were blown away with the quality of the guides, transport and accommodation. The itinerary was perfect for our family with a great mix of guided and free days and the different destinations complemented each other well. We will definitely be using Tourdust again for our next trip! Particular highlights were the Ha Long Bay cruise, Hanoi, and the morning cycle tour in Siam Reap
Jane P
reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families
on 14 May 2025
We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.
Emma M
reviewing Best of Botswana for Families
on 18 November 2024