Nestled in 37 acres of verdant forest, on the edge of Habarana Lake, the Cinnamon Lodge offers a luxurious base from which to explore the sights of the island’s Cultural Triangle as well as the nearby Minneriya National Park. While the majority of your days in the region will be spent out exploring the local natural and man-made wonders, the sprawling grounds of the resort are a beautiful place to relax. As you make your way to your room from the central complex – home to the resort’s three restaurants – you may come across some of the region’s wildlife; and if you have any down time here, we recommend hiring a bike and following the cycle trails or spotting avian species on a guided bird-watching tour. The resort’s rooms and suites are located in two-storey buildings scattered throughout the spacious grounds. The Superior Rooms and slightly-more-spacious Deluxe Rooms are both a comfortable choice with twin beds or a kingsize bed and the latter features a private balcony or terrace. For a little extra luxury and space there are a selection of two-storey Deluxe Suites.
For a luxury experience among paddy fields, reed beds and lakes, we highly recommend a stay at the beautiful Jetwing Vil Uyana which is set within a private nature reserve. If seclusion and style are important to you following a climb of the iconic Sigirya Rock Fortress or exploring ancient ruins then this resort is for you. There's a mix of contemporary luxury and the simplicity of rural life as well as a real sense of place and space. Night trails, wildlife watching and birding tours are just a few of the experiences you can enjoy from here. For those with relaxation on their mind there's also a beautiful spa surrounded by reed beds which provides a wide range Ayurvedic and naturopathy treatments. As you would expect from such a fantastically situated resort, Jetwing Vil Uyana's main restaurant Aspara has a charming water-side setting and provides local, Asian and western cuisine accompanied by views towards the iconic Sigiriya Rock. Light refreshments and drinks are available from the Sulang café while exotic cocktails and wine varieties are served at Graffiti Bar. Accommodation is set in a scattering of villas – or pavilions – nestled amongst reed beds by the lake, in the forest or over paddy fields; this is truly a unique setting. Relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere where you may spot monkeys, peacocks and butterflies from your terrace. Opt for a Paddy Pavilion with Pool for views out over the verdant fields and your own private plunge pool, or if you would rather be by the lake, choose a Water Pavilion. The two-storey Forest Pavilions are probably the most private accommodation options at the hotel as they are surrounded by towering reeds.
This beautiful hotel has one of the best settings on the island. The iconic Sigiriya Rock appears as an ever-present back drop that’s beautifully framed by mature trees and pathways, and the thoughtfully-landscaped grounds have been inspired by the ancient fortresses own water gardens. We love that you can return to your hotel and continue to enjoy the region’s landscapes following a day of exploring the Cultural Triangle. And if that’s not enough, there’s also the exceptional service, the feeling of exclusivity – there are just 30 stand-alone villas – and the unfussy, yet high quality interiors that don’t distract you from the natural beauty outside. We particularly love the hotel’s infinity pools which overlooks the gardens towards the rock and the overwater spa which is in a beautifully secluded spot. The main restaurant is more traditional in style with dark wood furnishings and a hand-carved chandelier in the dining room. You also have the option to dine al fresco overlooking the pool, surrounding countryside and Sigiriya Rock. Local and international cuisine is served and most of the produce used is organic and locally sourced where possible. The same views can be enjoyed from a slightly more elevated position and with a refreshing cocktail in hand from the upper floor of The Twin Level Bar. The hotel’s tranquil atmosphere extends to the gorgeous villas which are scattered throughout the gardens. Each of these detached chalets is wonderfully spacious and provides you with a sense of privacy. Hours can be lost looking out over the paddy fields or the waterways from the terrace of your Deluxe Villa or from your own plunge pool if you upgrade to one of the Superior Deluxe Villas or uber-spacious Duplex Villas.
Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya
Water Garden Sigiriya
