Serene, Sunny & Serendipitous

Wondering what happened to summer? So are we. Autumn looks lovely but the autumnal chill is far less pleasing…. in fact it makes us want to pack our bags with the skimpiest of gear and head somewhere the sun shines all year round - Sri Lanka for instance.

Famous for spices, gems and tea, Sri Lanka has always been mysterious and wondrous. And if you needed more proof, the country inspired the use of the word ‘serendipity’. It still retains its ability to conjure up pleasant surprises, particularly in the quality and style of its eco-chic getaways. One-time host to Marco Polo, George Bernard Shaw and Pablo Neruda, Sri Lanka has a wealth of experience in attracting, pampering and amazing its visitors. Here we take a look at three eco-offerings from a country many visitors remember as the next best thing to Paradise.

ULPOTHA
Described as ‘rien mais luxe superbe’, this stylish yoga retreat is set within a traditional working village. Private chalets are located overlooking the lake and paddy-fields, which are ideal if you’re the sort of tourist who likes to watch the sun set from your bed. The food at Ulpotha is mouth-watering Sri Lankan vegetarian fare, made entirely from the village’s organic produce. You will also have an Ayurvedic practitioner who works with yoga and massage therapists to make the Ulpotha experience unforgettable. The retreat is impossible to find on the traditional map, has no electricity and limited mobile phone coverage which only adds to its allure as the perfect escape.

Price: From $1250 per person for a week.
Web: www.ulpotha.com

VIL UYANA
You might pinch yourself as you stand at the entrance to Vil Uyana - unwilling to believe a place as beautiful as this can exist. Situated in a man-made wetland reserve in Sigiriya, the hotel is a godsend for bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. You have a choice of 25 luxurious thatched chalets amongst the tall grass and paddy fields.  Expect the room to be laid out over as much as 2,110 sq. ft - well-sized anyone’s standards. You could tour the historical wonders nearby, go biking, venture out on a bird-watching expedition, or else stay in and make the most of the mini bar and private swimming pool.

Price: From $180 per night for a single room
Web: www.slh.com 

BOULDER GARDENS
This remarkable eco-boutique hotel is carefully designed around a crop of gigantic boulders, located close to the entrance to the Sinharaja rainforest, a UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve which has a wide variety of flora and fauna.  The rooms have thatched roofs which allow you to commune with nature even as you spoil yourself in the sunken bath and take in the breathtaking views. In the event you can bring yourself to step out of your room, there’s a wide range of activities to choose from including, trekking, biking, forest photography, camping, and birding.

Price: From $213 per night for a single room.
Web: www.i-escape.com

Reviewed by Anushka Pereira