Ulagalla Resort
Sprawling, lush, large villas, historic home
Thirippane, near Anuradhapura Ulagalla Rd. (94) 1-1232-8832 ugaescapes.com
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Restaurant at Ulagalla Resort, Sri Lanka -
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At a Glance
Spread across 58 acres of jungle, ride paddies and small lakes, Ulagalla is comprised of twenty uber-spacious guest villas and a historic, beautifully restored mansion as its centerpiece.
Indagare Loves
- The lovely staff who are not only incredibly sweet but also organized and reliable
- The sense of space both of the property and the accommodations
- Taking a bike ride just beyond the gate to one of this area’s most beautiful man-made lakes
- The incredible birdlife here, especially peacocks, Kingfishers and storks
Review
No matter how exciting the monuments in the area, Ulagalla is the type of property you can’t wait to return to after some sight-seeing. Centered around a historic mansion dating from 1916 that faces a beautiful large pool area, the property spans some 58 acres of gorgeous scenery, including rice paddies, small ponds and romantic, overgrown jungle paths. Strolling or biking around, guests can see incredible bird life, including many resident peacocks, as well as iguana, monkeys and water buffalo in the distance (the property is surrounded by local farms and massive man-made lakes).
The twenty so-called guest chalets are folded into this verdant scenery on stilts for optimal views. They are grouped in pairs, so you don’t feel completely deserted in the middle of the jungle, but some clusters are far from the main hub, so each comes with a set of bicycles for guests to get around (the lovely staff is also happy to arrange golf cart pick-ups). All chalets have the same generous layout with a large sitting room with an L-shaped couch, dining table, flat-screen television and a counter with a tea and coffee maker. Bedrooms are equally spacious, with a king-size, four-post bed, and bathrooms boast double vanities and rain showers (but no bathtubs).
All chalets, except for the two closest to the pool area, also have sizeable plunge pools and al fresco decks with loungers. Thanks to the fact that the chalets are on stilts, they almost have the sense of a tree house—the floor-to-ceiling windows look out into lush green foliage teeming with birdlife. Two of the most desirable houses also have more sweeping views of the rice paddies (contact Indagare’s Bookings Team to learn which number to book).
It says a lot about the main hub, with its large pool, bar/lounge and restaurant, that guests can tear themselves away from their private jungle extravaganzas. But especially in the early evening, you can watch most everyone arrive on their bikes and settle into the comfortable wicker chairs on the terrace. The mansion, which was built in 1916, has an open floor plan (you won’t find a single window), beautiful old wood beams and cool tile floors. The first-story restaurant, overlooking the pool, serves a good mix of local Sri Lankan food, as well as international choices, featuring produce from the Ulagalla’s own organic vegetable garden (cooking classes are also available here).
The witching hours at this special property, however, just after sunrise and right before sunset, are when the incredible panoramas here are at their very best. Biking around, with an eye peeled for peacocks and monkeys, the light changing by the minute, you feel the tug of something ancient in these landscapes. Though Ulagalla is very luxurious, it’s the simple pleasures in these moments that elevate it: the warm breeze, the soothing jungle colors, the sense of excitement that a new discovery may just be right around the next corner.
Who Should Stay
Anyone wishing to be close to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Nature-loving couples will be most happy here. Ulagalla has no cut-off age for children, but the spread-out nature of the villas makes it slightly challenging for families (those with smaller children will have to choose room service for dinner).
Ideal Length of Stay
Two to three nights. Ulagalla is the perfect setting to adjust to a new time zone and the tropical heat that prevails in Sri Lanka. Rushing through this special resort is a mistake.
Getting There
From Colombo’s airport, Ulagalla is about a five-to-six hours drive, so if you’re doing the counter-clockwise circuit, plan at least two if not three days here to settle into the heat and time zone. Dambulla and Sigiriya are a one-two hour drive away. Coming from southern Kandy will take about three-to-four hours.
Author
- Simone Girner
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