Built to resemble a traditional fishing village, Maalu Maalu means ‘fish fish’, which is also the cry of local fishermen. The resort is a wonderfully rustic looking collection of timber buildings, with rooms separated out into chalets all facing the ocean, and a swathe of pristine white sand and shallow water before it. Whether you want to just chill out on the beach, indulge in a few Ayurvedic massages or embark on a wreck dive, Maalu Maalu can accommodate. You can also rent a bike to explore the local fishing villages, best done in the morning when the fishermen are bringing in their day's catch. If you’re a fan of fresh seafood and dining with your toes in the sand, Maalu Maalu has just the restaurant for you. Open for lunch and dinner, The White Sand is romantic and intimate and it serves wonderful themed meals with ocean views. There's also the main restaurant, Habala and Ruwala, two fishing boats that have been converted into a dining area, and a new dining spot, Madela. This à la carte venue, and the adjacent bar, Madiya, are in the central building, on the floor above the main restaurant. In keeping with the fishing village theme, all the rooms are in little chalets, with two rooms to each chalet. Deluxe Rooms have direct access to the beach while Ocean Rooms and Panoramic Suites share a plunge pool with three other suites. The Ocean Rooms also allow direct access to the beach.
Uga Bay has an enviable position right in the middle of a stunning stretch of sand and it has fantastic views out over the hotel’s palm-fringed garden and the bay. Not only does this make Uga Bay ideal for those looking to relax on a pristine beach, it’s also perfect for watersports enthusiasts, with a selection of activities available seasonally. As the bay is protected, swimming and snorkelling are very popular, and as it is shallow for a long way out it’s great for families too. Deeper into the bay is where divers explore wrecks and reefs. Back on dry land you’ll find a generously sized infinity pool as well as an unusual underground spa which has sea views and provides a selection of Balinese and Swedish style massages. Uga Bay also has a rather good reputation when it comes to food, even though it has just the one restaurant. The chef and their team work hard to create a menu filled with Sri Lankan specialities, as well as international favourites. You can also choose from a range of private dining locations. We recommend choosing a Beach Studio if you love to walk straight out onto the beach. Above these are the Ocean Studios which all have balconies with views out over the palm-lined beach (views of the sea are obstructed by the palm trees). For a real treat, you could upgrade to either a two-bedroom Bay Suite which features a private pool.
The beautiful Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes commands a stretch of practically deserted beach and an equally as tranquil stretch of verdant forest. Together they create an air of seclusion. The main building is set back from the beach, so there’s a short walk from the buildings to the shore, however this only adds to the wonderful sense of privacy that emanates from the property. Jungle Beach was built with as little effect on the surrounding plant life as possible and this eco-friendly theme runs through the whole hotel. Even down on the beach you’ll find plant life and driftwood scattered across the expanse of golden sand. This is a wonderfully natural experience. Whether you’re looking for traditional Sri Lankan, international or Asian cuisine, you’ll be more than happy with the restaurants here. Using the best local produce available as well as fresh seafood, the menu is flexible, making the most of seasonal specialties and the catch of the day. If you are seeking a bit of romance you can also choose to dine privately in your cabin, in the gardens or on the beach. All cabins are surrounded with foliage so solitude is easy to come by. Winding paths lead between the main buildings and the cabins. Lagoon Cabins are the furthest from the beach, but are closest to the lagoon. For more privacy, Jungle Cabins are ideal, while Beach Cabins have direct access to the beach. The Jungle Cluster Villas have a small shared pool and are ideal for groups or families.
The beautiful Anantaya Passikudah (which will become a Constance property in April 2020) is something of a hidden gem on the east coast. The resort is certainly eye-catching. Its distinct architecture has been influenced by Thai and Balinese style, with a dark wood exterior and many of the public areas – including bars, restaurants and a few outdoor spa areas – are located in open-air pavilions and thatched buildings throughout the resort. The grounds are equally beautiful with bridges crossing the large swimming pool and paths taking you through to pretty gardens that lead down towards the beach. From here you can walk along the beautiful bay or enjoy a range of watersports in the generally calm and shallow waters of the bay. We can’t think of a better place for a post-tour wind-down. Days begin with a breakfast at the stylish, yet relaxed main restaurant The Seaboard Deck, which overlooks the pool towards the beach and sea. Lunch and dinner are also served here and this is where all your included meals will be. Alternatively, you can treat yourself to dinner at the signature seafood restaurant Singing Fish. The cuisine here is sourced locally and you can enjoy catch-of-the-day dishes seasoned with spices that the island is famous for. There are two bars including the swim-up Splash, and the beach-side Sands where light meals, snacks and local and international drinks are served. The rooms, suites and villas are very spacious and reflect the Asian design of the resort. Located in three-storey buildings throughout the grounds are the Superior Rooms and Deluxe Rooms with Balcony, the latter of which are on the upper floors. From the ground-floor Pool Suites you can enjoy access to the pool directly from your terrace. If you’re travelling as a family or group, the incredibly expansive villas are an excellent choice. Featuring two or three bedrooms and a stylish living and dining room, the villas also have a terrace and small plunge pool.
A hotel can’t get much more boutique than the Kottukal Beach House – there are just two spacious rooms and two chalets at this hideaway in the village of Pottuvil. It’s just steps from the sand and the waves of the Pottuvil Point break, a favourite spot with surfers from around the world. While there are just a handful of accommodations, it’s not to say that the hotel lacks in space; it’s set within a two-acre coconut estate so there’s plenty of room to spread out and stretch your legs. Your time here has a soundtrack of wild waves and a backdrop of shade-giving palms, an unspoilt beach and incredible Indian Ocean sunrises. The food at the beach house is one of the real highlights with fresh seafood and locally-sourced produce the order of the day. There are no set meal times so you can choose whether you have an early breakfast not long after sun up or a more lazy start to the day, an early dinner at sunset or a late-night bite. There’s a set menu at lunch and dinner, however, if you give them some notice, the hotel chefs can also rustle up a meal on request – that’s the beauty of having just a small amount of guests to look after. For a change of scene, have dinner on the sand, in the shadow of the palms in the hotel’s garden or even in the privacy of your room. The airy Deluxe Rooms are set within the main house and have a balcony that overlooks the gardens and through the palm trees towards the Indian Ocean. You’ll have Wi-Fi in your room but there’s no television, not that we think you’ll miss it with a setting such as this. The two standalone Chalets are just a few steps away from the house and have doors that open out onto a terrace and the gardens beyond.
Laid-back beach days are what holidays to the hidden gem of Arugam Bay are all about, watching the surfers catching some of the best point breaks in the country and feeling like you’re miles away from the rest of the world. Jetwing Surf is an unbeatable place to base yourself to experience the windswept beauty of this far-flung corner of Sri Lanka. To match the wild vibe of the region, the hotel has a rustic design with woven coconut palm leaves, dried uluk grass roofs and other sustainable materials used throughout. It really blends in with the natural surroundings and has a small footprint alongside its exclusive vibe. The cabanas are a unique touch at Jetwing Surf – each of these free-standing circular accommodations has lofty ceilings, a large and welcoming bed and a shaded outdoor deck that faces the gardens. Instead of power-consuming air-conditioning, the cabanas have been designed to make the most of the cooling easterly breezes; it’s all about sustainability here with 100% natural ventilation. As well as soaking up the easy going and beachy atmosphere, the folk at Jetwing Surf encourage you to go out and explore the region. There are a handful of experiences offered by the hotel so you can fully immerse yourself in Arugam Bay life. A couple of the favourite pastimes include visiting the local market where in-season produce like fruit, vegetables, meat and fish are sold, and learning some new culinary skills during a cookery demo by one of the hotel’s chefs. If you’re more interested in nature than food, you could head out on a boat safari on the Pottuvil lagoon or Urani River, or join a knowledgeable guide from Jetwing and explore the shores of one of the region’s lakes which are heaven for birdwatchers.
Maalu Maalu
Uga Bay by Uga Escapes
Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes
Anantaya Passikudah
Kottukal Beach House by Jetwing
Jetwing Surf
