Aliya Resort & Spa

Name: Aliya Resort & Spa
Rating: 4.5

Where nature and culture meet

Introduction
Rooms
Facilities
Reviews

A peaceful oasis in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle with rural surroundings and Sigiriya views.

Days in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle tend to be action-packed and relaxation time is often at a premium. At this beautiful resort, whose name means ‘elephant’ in Sinhalese, we recommend setting aside at least an afternoon to recharge. You don’t need to worry that you’ll miss out on anything. The welcoming infinity pool has direct views of one of the island’s most iconic sights, Sigiriya Rock, as does the main restaurant, while the lushly planted grounds – particularly the corner where you’ll find a serene Ayurvedic spa – are a calm oasis away from the busy rocks, ruins and temples.

Why we love Aliya Resort & Spa

You’ll be blown away by the uninterrupted views of Sigiriya Rock the minute you step into the airy lobby
There are rock-fortress views, too, from the stunning infinity pool, whose design is inspired by another ancient cultural site
You can savour traditional Sri Lankan village-style cuisine at its most authentic in the resort’s own agricultural museum
It has secluded wooden chalets for two overlooking the jungle and family-friendly spaces with attic rooms for the children

Based on {{tripAdvisor.tripAdvisorSummary.num_reviews}} reviews

Our rating 4 stars

Best time to go Dec - Mar

Location Habarana, Sigiriya & Dambulla

Avg Flight time Colombo 10½ hours

Setting At the heart of the Cultural Triangle, just 10 minutes south of Habarana

Transfers Approx. 4 hours by road from Colombo airport

Interests Suitable for children, Kids club

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Rooms

The 96 rooms have a pared-back but cosy style featuring local artworks and textiles. Our favourites for couples are the charming Chalets. These standalone wooden buildings are enveloped in greenery and give you a slice of rustic style in a peaceful setting. For families, the Suites have two separate bedrooms and a living/dining room with a kitchenette as well as a private pool and sauna.

Families with older children will enjoy the Deluxe Attic Rooms, which have a second bedroom with twin beds that’s reached by a wooden spiral staircase.

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Deluxe Room

Spacious rooms with a couple of sofa chairs.

air-conditioning
queen-size bed or twin beds
television
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
bathtub and separate shower
52m²

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Deluxe Attic Room

Like the Deluxe Rooms but with a second level with twin beds that’s reached by a spiral staircase.

air-conditioning
queen-size bed and twin beds
television
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
bathtub and separate shower
74m²

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Wooden Chalet

Unique, standalone lodges offering something a little different at this charming hotel. They are hidden by the local flora.

air-conditioning
queen-size bed
television
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
bathtub and separate rain shower
98m²

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Suite

Large rooms with two separate rooms and a private pool and Jacuzzi.

air-conditioning
master bedroom with king-size bed
second bedroom with queen-size bed
television
home theatre system
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
bathtub and separate rain shower
sauna
Jacuzzi
142m²

* Denotes local charge

Facilities

Restaurants & bars
Board
Spas & wellness
Sustainability

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The culinary focus at Aliya’s three restaurants is firmly on local flavours, with a nod to other cuisines from further afield.

Alaka
At the resort’s main restaurant, simple but wonderfully flavour-filled Sri Lankan, Asian and international dishes are served buffet style with superb views towards Sigiriya.

Nagula
On the veranda of the resort’s paddy museum, you can lunch or dine on traditional dishes cooked in clay pots in a simple village-style kitchen and presented to you in leaf bowls.

Migara\ Open from 10am to 10pm, this coolly contemporary coffee shop/bar serves up hot and cold drinks, cocktails and western snacks against a backdrop of jazz or live local music and elephant-inspired décor.

Our pick

If you like to embrace the cuisine and traditions of the places you visit, a traditional village-style meal overlooking the paddy fields at the resort’s agricultural museum is a must.

What's included

Breakfast at Alaka

Upgrade options

Half Board • Breakfast and dinner at Alaka
Full Board • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Alaka

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At AyurVie, an Ayurvedic spa situated in thatched buildings close to the surrounding rice paddies, you can enjoy a range of holistic treatments including herbal oil massages, facials and herbal baths. Our pick for tired feet is Abhyanga, a reflexology session best enjoyed in the outdoor pavilion. Free yoga and meditation classes are offered each morning. There’s a large gym equipped with cardio and weight machines, along with a badminton court. Otherwise, you could gently stretch your legs on a bike tour to a nearby village - the hotel has bicycles and and twelve new electric bikes.

The resort’s organic garden, irrigated with recycled water, grows many of the vegetables and spices for the kitchens. A paper-recycling plant provides work for locals, who create new products such as baggage labels, and reduces waste. As part of the Reconstruire et Vivre project, local schoolchildren are given the benefit of free computer classes. You’ll see an example of recycling on a grand scale in the cosy wooden chalets, which are built from reclaimed pallets. A recent addition is the hotel's paper recycling factory where guests can make something to take home.

Guest reviews

Average Rating

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