Uga, Sri Lanka, Unveils the Ultimate Romantic Holiday and Honeymoon Hotlist

April 2024…// Uga, the boutique Sri Lankan hotel group renowned for world-class hospitality, is delighted to unveil the ultimate romantic experiences from across its luxurious portfolio. The perfect pick for honeymooners, anniversary celebrations and those who simply wish to fall in love all over again, there’s nothing quite like an Uga escape when traveling with the one who matters most.

From bucket-list-on-the-beach dining and kayaking at twilight to spoiling jungle spa treatments for two, there’s an unforgettable Sri Lankan experience awaiting every couple when staying with Uga. Honeymooners will receive an extra special welcome, with a fruit platter, chocolate cake and bed décor awaiting their arrival, along with a complimentary candlelit dinner to enjoy during their stay.

Sri Lankan Spa Treatments for Two

Available at Uga Bay, Uga Chena Huts, Uga Jungle Beach and Uga Ulagalla, couples can indulge in wellness side-by-side, with a spoiling range of spa treatments for two. These include:

• Spa Ritual (150 minutes)

Two-and-a-half hours of bliss within their very own private spa sanctuary await those who opt for the ‘Spa Ritual’ treatment. Comprising a Balinese body massage for deep relaxation, a full body scrub for a lit-from-within polish and glow and a restorative facial, this 360-degree treatment is the ultimate indulgent choice for those seeking a total body overhaul.

• Soul Connection (120 minutes)

One for the lovers, this two-hour treatment combines a full-body Balinese massage with a body scrub and botanical hair spa, leaving couples floating on a cloud with buffed, beautiful and oh-so-soft skin.

• Spa Amusement (120 minutes)

A bespoke blend of treatments for those who simply have to have it all, couples can select from either a 60-minute Aromatherapy, Balinese or Swedish massage, in combination with a stress-busting back massage and an Indian head massage. With the option to spread the treatments across multiple days, guests can stay relaxed and rejuvenated all trip long.

Uga Bay, Pasikuda

Uga Bay is a luxurious beach hotel situated on one of eastern Sri Lanka’s most celebrated stretches of sand, Pasikuda. Brimming with coastal charm, the property comprises 46 spacious studios, a two-bedroom Bay Suite and a sprawling Beach Villa. A stunning semi-circular architectural design incorporates Mediterranean elegance and tropical simplicity, with the large resort infinity pool appearing to blend into the Indian Ocean. A brand-new swimming pool has just been unveiled, providing the ultimate setting in which to kick back, cocktail in hand, and soak up the Sri Lankan sunshine.

Those wishing to explore the beautiful surrounding area can embark on a couple’s cycling trip that weaves around the rural landscape of Kalkudah, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the local communities. During the excursion, guests can soak up the distinctive culture of the Eastern Province and engage with the locals as they relish the area’s bountiful birdlife, flora and fauna.

Uga Bay takes romantic beach dining to new levels with its dine-in-the-sand experience. Here, couples will be led to an exquisite dining space nestled within the palm trees and constructed entirely from sand. Set against the backdrop of one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beaches, they will enjoy a seafood feast for all the senses as they spot the constellations above.

Nightly rates at Uga Bay start from $302 (£237*), based on two adults sharing a Beach Studio on a bed-and-breakfast basis. For more information or to book, visit https://www.ugaescapes.com/ugabay/

Uga Chena Huts, Yala

Uga Chena Huts is a true wilderness paradise nestled deep within the jungle in Sri Lanka’s far south, a few miles from Yala National Park. Boasting 18 thatch-roofed solar-powered cabins – each with its own private deck and pool – within grounds of over seven acres, the property provides a bucket-list-worthy opportunity for lovebirds to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the very best of Sri Lankan hospitality.

A must for honeymooners and elopers alike, the ‘Secret Sundowner Experience’ at Uga Chena Huts is a one-of-a-kind experience. Guests will be driven to an exclusive location chosen for its absolute privacy and spectacular scenery, where they will be served their favorite cocktail and canapés as they enjoy one of the best sunsets on the island. Afterwards, couples can head for a secluded dinner by the ocean, with just the warm glow of lanterns, the starry night sky and acres of beach wilderness for company.

Nightly rates at Uga Chena Huts start from $1,237 (£967*), based on two adults sharing a Luxury Pool Cabin on an all-inclusive basis. For more information or to book, visit https://www.ugaescapes.com/chenahuts/

Uga Jungle Beach, Trincomalee

Tucked within a 10-acre reserve, Uga Jungle Beach stretches along a secluded 4km beach close to the port city of Trincomalee, on Sri Lanka’s east coast. Featuring 49 luxurious cabins set within dense jungle and tropical mangroves, the treehouse-luxe aesthetic and proximity to nature evoke an immediate sense of calm and tranquillity for arriving guests.

Gourmet-lovers will be in heaven at Uga Jungle Beach, where they can embark on a culinary adventure with a couple’s cooking class. Beneath the expert guidance of the resort’s resident chef, they will learn how to create an authentic Trincomalee dish from scratch, utilizing Sri Lankan spices and ingredients grown on the property’s very own organic garden.

Uga Jungle Beach offers a number of out-of-this-world locations for an intimate dining experience, but perhaps one of the most romantic is the bonfire dinner hosted on the resort’s secluded stretch of Kuchchaveli Beach. Here, couples can indulge in a beachside dining affair featuring a five-course meal of authentic local cuisine created with locally sourced ingredients.

Nightly rates at Uga Jungle Beach start from $334 (£262*), based on two adults sharing a Lagoon Cabin on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information or to book, visit https://www.ugaescapes.com/junglebeach/

Uga Ulagalla, Anuradhapura

The award-winning Uga Ulagalla is a five-star resort set within an expansive 58-acre estate near the ancient city of Anuradhapura, in Sri Lanka’s famous Cultural Triangle. The resort’s 25 thatch-roofed villas – each of which features its own pool and decking area looking out onto the lush greenery beyond – are the ultimate romantic hideaways and are so luxurious and well-equipped, couples may well find it difficult to leave!

For those who can bear to tear themselves away, endless activities await. From witnessing one of the largest elephant gatherings in the world at Minneriya National Park to nature walks, horse-riding and cycling à deux, couples are sure to create memories to last a lifetime at Uga Ulagalla. Over at the spa, a pampering selection of treatments await, with the healing power of Sri Lankan hands leaving couples feeling blissfully relaxed as they float back to their villa.

The ultimate bucket list moment, however, lies in the opportunity to kayak through the estate’s scenic reservoir at twilight, where guests will glide alongside water lilies and lotus flowers as they spot egrets, herons and numerous other water birds gracefully pass them by.

Come dinnertime, guests and their significant others can savor an exceptional dining experience set within the tall rustling trees. As they look out upon a tranquil pond known as Villuwa, guests will enjoy a delectable local barbeque feast created just for them.

Nightly rates at Uga Ulagalla start from $481 (£376*), based on two adults sharing an Ulagalla Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information or to book, visit https://www.ugaescapes.com/ulagalla/

Uga Riva, Negombo *New – Launched November 2023*

Nestled in a coconut plantation near Negombo’s pristine shores, Uga Riva is a 180-year-old manor house re-launched for travelers seeking an indulgent sanctuary. Situated just 10 minutes from central Negombo and a mere 30-minute drive from Colombo International Airport, Uga Riva serves as the perfect spot for commencing or concluding a Sri Lankan adventure. Conveniently positioned for travelers recovering from island explorations or adjusting to jetlag, couples can immediately relax into the serene tranquillity of the five-acre grounds, enjoying a leisurely break by the pool before retiring to the luxurious comfort of Uga Riva’s well-appointed rooms.

Romance-seekers at Uga Riva can choose from a variety of unique experiences to ensure an unforgettable stay.  A candlelight-and-coconuts dining offering sees lovers take their seats in the coconut plantation’s picturesque gardens, enjoying the dreamiest candlelit dinner for two. As the sun sets and the balmy Negombo evening rolls in, diners will enjoy the finest Sri Lankan cuisine as the stars twinkle above.

Nightly rates at Uga Riva start from $237 (£185*), based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Room on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information or to book, visit https://www.ugaescapes.com/riva/

Uga Residence, Colombo

Situated between leafy Park Street and the lakeside temple of Gangarama, Uga Residence is a unique boutique hotel in the heart of Sri Lanka’s capital city of Colombo. Built in the nineteenth century by Sheik Salehboy Moosajee, it is one of the few remaining buildings of its kind in Colombo. Originally a family home, the house was designed to host receptions and entertainment on a grand scale, with great halls, expansive gardens and stables for visitors’ carriage horses.

Today, Residence is a luxurious eight-suite city hotel. With a large garden, swimming pool, bar and ‘great room’, Residence offers plenty of spaces to meet, relax or celebrate at the beginning or end of a Sri Lankan adventure. 2024 will see the launch of a new F&B concept, with more details to follow, as well as a renovation of several suites from April.

At Uga Residence, those looking to reignite the fire can partake in a whisky-tasting session guided by the property’s expert head mixologist, who will skilfully guide participants through the three oldest whisky regions in Scotland – Islands, Highlands and Speyside. The masterclass is paired with delectable dining platters and warming puddings for a truly indulgent experience.

Nightly rates at Uga Residence start from $305 (£239*), based on two adults sharing a Park Suite on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information or to book, visit https://www.ugaescapes.com/residence/

For more information on Uga’s sustainability practices across each property, visit https://www.ugaescapes.com/sustainability-at-uga-sustainable-practices.html