Highlights
- Close to Yala National Park
- Great wildlife, possible leopard sightings
- Quiet property with spacious guest cabins
- Lots of exciting day trips
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireChena Huts is a luxury boutique resort located right in the very south of Sri Lanka. Not only is it a stone’s throw from the shores of the Indian Ocean, it’s also conveniently close to Yala National Park, the country’s second largest and most popular wildlife-viewing destination. Developed by Uga Escapes, a portfolio known for its luxurious and eco-friendly properties, Chena Huts resembles on first glance the rustic safari lodges commonly seen throughout Africa. However, it doesn’t take long to realise that the lodges are in fact upmarket in their design and offering. The property derives its understated name from the traditional farmers' practice of clearing small plots of land, or ‘chena’, and sleeping beside the growing crops in basic huts to prevent hungry elephants from eating them.
The 14 ‘huts’, or guest cabins, are spacious and complete with modern amenities. Spread out over seven acres, they’re designed to blend in with their natural surroundings. While the cabins are immediately emcompassed by an abundance of forest vegetation, the property as a whole is partly surrounded by a peaceful beach and a pristine lagoon. Each cabin has a living area, bedroom and en-suite bathroom with freestanding bathtub and twin vanity units, as well as a shaded outdoor deck with a private plunge pool. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided, as are a 42” LED TV and a minibar. Wooden decor and log furniture give the accommodation a natural feel.
Meals are served at the Basses Restaurant and Bar, or there are numerous options for private dining, such as eating out under the stars or beside the bonfire. The restaurant itself has a pleasant nautical theme and offers a range of delicious international dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other on-site facilities include a spa offering a broad range of indulgent treatments and an outdoor pool with a pool bar concealed by a pretty waterfall.
Day trips to the Yala National Park, with its abundance of natural wildlife and many diverse landscapes, can be arranged. The park is known for having the highest leopard population density anywhere in the world and for being an important conservation hub. Other popular activities include whale-watching expeditions from the coastal town of Mirissa and visits to Kataragama, an ancient shrine of great local importance that attracts many Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims.
Chena Huts welcomes children, and while there may not be much in the way of child-oriented facilities or activities, the communal pool will certainly keep children happy and there’s plenty to see in the surrounding area. Parents should note that the pool is unfenced and children must remain under adult supervision at all times.
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