Sri Lanka is a tropical island paradise in South Asia, renowned for its ancient Buddhist ruins, stunning beaches, lush tea plantations, and incredible wildlife. From the iconic rock fortress of Sigiriya to the pristine beaches of the south coast and the misty highlands of Ella, this diverse nation offers unforgettable experiences for every traveler.
Luxury hotels
Five-star and palace properties.
Amangalla
The most prestigious address in Sri Lanka, occupying a 1684 Dutch colonial building within Galle Fort's UNESCO World Heritage ramparts. Features just 30 rooms and suites with four-poster beds, antique furnishings, and a legendary courtyard swimming pool.
Ceylon Tea Trails, Dickoya
Five restored Edwardian tea planter's bungalows perched above Castlereagh Lake in the Central Highlands, each sleeping just 8-12 guests with butler service, gourmet cuisine, and uninterrupted views of tea plantations and misty mountains.
Cape Weligama
An ultra-luxury clifftop resort with 39 suites and villas on the southern coast, all with private plunge pools or infinity pools and uninterrupted Indian Ocean views. Features two restaurants, a spa, yoga pavilion, and personalised service.
Uga Chena Huts, Yala
Eighteen eco-luxury cabanas nestled in the Yala jungle with private plunge pools, outdoor rain showers, and direct beach access. Just 2km from Yala National Park's main entrance with resident naturalists for private game drives.
Shangri-La Colombo
Colombo's most prestigious urban hotel with 541 rooms and suites overlooking Galle Face Green and the Indian Ocean. Features four restaurants, infinity pool, the renowned CHI Spa, and flawless service in the city's most coveted location.
Fine dining
Michelin-starred and chef-driven restaurants.
Ministry of Crab, Colombo
Ranked consistently on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, this legendary restaurant in the historic Dutch Hospital serves magnificent Sri Lankan lagoon crabs in a range of styles. Founded by cricket icons Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, reservations are essential weeks in advance.
Kaema Sutra, Shangri-La Colombo
Celebrity chef Dharshan Munidasa's reinterpretation of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine using the finest local ingredients in elegant contemporary presentations. The hoppers, kottu, and black pork curry are revelatory reworkings of humble originals.
1864 Restaurant, Amangalla
Named for the year of the building's Dutch renovation, this landmark restaurant inside Galle Fort serves a sophisticated menu combining Sri Lankan culinary traditions with international techniques in a candlelit colonial dining room.
The Tasting Room, Galle Fort Hotel
An intimate fine dining experience in a heritage colonial building within Galle Fort, featuring an evolving tasting menu of locally sourced produce with European techniques. The wine list focuses on Old World selections.
Harbour Room, Jetwing Colombo Seven
Elevated rooftop dining above Colombo with panoramic city views. Specialises in premium Sri Lankan seafood, dry-aged grills, and an extensive cocktail programme. One of Colombo's most sought-after tables at sunset.
Exclusive experiences
Bespoke and once-in-a-lifetime activities.
Private Seaplane Safari
Cinnamon Air operates scenic seaplane flights between Colombo and key destinations including Kandy, Sigiriya, Galle, and Jaffna. Soaring above the island's coastline, rainforests, and ancient cities from a seaplane offers unmatched aerial perspectives unavailable to most visitors.
Cultural Triangle Private Tour with Scholar Guide
A private day-long guided exploration of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, or Anuradhapura with an expert archaeologist or art historian providing deep contextual knowledge. Includes early access to sites before crowds, private entrance arrangements, and luxury vehicle transport.
Private Whale Watching Charter
Charter a private boat from Mirissa for an exclusive whale watching experience from November to April. A marine biologist guide accompanies the expedition as you search for blue whales, sperm whales, and spinner dolphins in the deep waters off the southern coast.
Ayurvedic Immersion Retreat
Authentic Ayurvedic treatment programs at traditional establishments in Galle, Beruwala, or the hill country. A Ayurvedic physician conducts a full consultation, prescribes personalised treatments, and creates a tailored diet plan alongside daily massage and herbal therapies.
Private Tea Estate Helicopter Tour
Fly by helicopter from Colombo over the emerald-green tea estates of Nuwara Eliya, landing at a private estate for a guided factory tour and tasting session hosted by the estate manager. Return flight offers aerial views of the Cultural Triangle.
Spas & wellness
World-class spa retreats and treatments.
CHI Spa at Shangri-La Colombo
Shangri-La's signature spa chain brings Asian healing traditions to Colombo with eight treatment rooms, a Himalayan salt sauna, aromatherapy steam room, and a menu drawing on Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Sri Lankan healing modalities. The full-day Essence of Sri Lanka journey is the signature package.
Spa at Amangalla, Galle
Housed within the historic Dutch colonial building, the Amangalla spa offers Ayurvedic and holistic treatments in a serene atmosphere with beautifully appointed treatment rooms. The Shirodhara (warm oil stream) and Abhyanga (full body oil massage) treatments are outstanding. Day access available for non-guests.
Anantara Spa at Peace Haven, Tangalle
A stunning clifftop spa at the Anantara resort featuring outdoor treatment salas with ocean views, a hydrotherapy circuit, couples retreats, and a menu of traditional Sri Lankan herb-based treatments alongside Thai massage techniques. Ingredients are sourced from the resort's own garden.
98 Acres Spa, Ella
A serene mountain spa within the boutique 98 Acres Resort overlooking tea plantations, offering Ayurvedic treatments, hot stone massage, and yoga sessions with panoramic Ella valley views. The peaceful setting amplifies the restorative effects of each treatment.
Luxury transport
Travel in style.
- Car
- Private chauffeur with air-conditioned luxury SUV from $60-80/day including driver. Many tour operators offer English-speaking drivers with tourism knowledge. Popular companies: Walkers Tours, Jetwing Travels, and Aitken Spence Travels.
- Air
- Seaplane transfers between Colombo, Kandy, Sigiriya, Galle, and Jaffna via Cinnamon Air. Helicopter charters for bespoke tours available through Tour De Lanka helicopters.
- Airport
- Private airport meet-and-greet service with VIP lounge access at Bandaranaike International Airport available through premium transfer companies. Dedicated immigration facilitation for Business Class passengers.