Sri Lanka Trip
Apr 30, 2015, 6:40 pm
#1
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
Sri Lanka Trip
Next March we're planning an 8ish day trip to Sri Lanka, and after reading the excellent TR by ABG, I could tell that many of you have been there so I figured I'd ask for any advice. It seems that most of you did the Tea Trails/Aman route, however, I'm unsure if that's what we'd like.
1. We'll be arriving from the Maldives, so no need to go to the beach and Amanwella doesn't particularly interest me.
2. We'll be with our young son who likes animals and we are hoping for something on the more exotic side.
3. I understand that several hotels are being built in Sri Lanka, so these could be a game changer. Does anyone know which ones will be finished within the next year.
Right now Hesitance Kandalama, Ullagalla, Clingendael, Tea Trails and Amangalla seem very interesting, though the drive seems daunting. Amanwella with a day trip to Yala could be interesting.
Exotic locale, wildlife and relative ease of logistics are my most important concerns. Nice places to stay would be excellent, but are of secondary importance.
So if anyone can offer their opinions/point me in the right direction. I'm really just beginning to think this through.
1. We'll be arriving from the Maldives, so no need to go to the beach and Amanwella doesn't particularly interest me.
2. We'll be with our young son who likes animals and we are hoping for something on the more exotic side.
3. I understand that several hotels are being built in Sri Lanka, so these could be a game changer. Does anyone know which ones will be finished within the next year.
Right now Hesitance Kandalama, Ullagalla, Clingendael, Tea Trails and Amangalla seem very interesting, though the drive seems daunting. Amanwella with a day trip to Yala could be interesting.
Exotic locale, wildlife and relative ease of logistics are my most important concerns. Nice places to stay would be excellent, but are of secondary importance.
So if anyone can offer their opinions/point me in the right direction. I'm really just beginning to think this through.
Last edited by DSI; Apr 30, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Apr 30, 2015, 7:48 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,113
http://www.jetwinghotels.com/ might be worth a look if you want nature. Though not in the same league(though some are SLH) they seem to have some interesting locations - e.g. Vil Uyana.
Apr 30, 2015, 10:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 570
Sri Lanka
Heritance Kandalama would be great along with Helgas Folly (helgasfolly.com) so you can experience Kandy as it should be experienced. Along with Sigiriya should give you the exotic you are looking for.
If you don't mind moving around so much I would add Amangalla for two nights. Anything Bawa I am a big fan of and there is lots of his stuff in Sri Lanka
If you don't mind moving around so much I would add Amangalla for two nights. Anything Bawa I am a big fan of and there is lots of his stuff in Sri Lanka
Apr 30, 2015, 11:12 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
I would love to get some info too.
It would be great to visit some amazing places, but if it requires
an 8 hour drive Indian style, we'll pass.
What are the best places with an easy access?
(sorry for side tracking your question a bit).
It would be great to visit some amazing places, but if it requires
an 8 hour drive Indian style, we'll pass.
What are the best places with an easy access?
(sorry for side tracking your question a bit).
May 1, 2015, 5:26 am
#6
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
I would love to get some info too.
It would be great to visit some amazing places, but if it requires
an 8 hour drive Indian style, we'll pass.
What are the best places with an easy access?
(sorry for side tracking your question a bit).
No worries--I actually meant to imply these questions when I was referring to ease of logistics.
Ideally I want to take at least one train ride, but 8 hour trips in a bone-jarring ride.. um no thanks. Realistically we'll probably end the trip with Amangalla, so that leaves us 2-3 places to stay, so it might end up being train to Tea Trails > X with some wildlife > Y wildlife place > Amangalla. Can anyone advise X and Y?
Helga's Folly looks cool!
Does the new Tea Trails location offer much wildlife? And it seems like Amanwalla has an excursion into Yala?
Does anyone know about the new properties being built in Sri Lanka? And are there any semi-luxury camps/safari outfitters?
It would be great to visit some amazing places, but if it requires
an 8 hour drive Indian style, we'll pass.
What are the best places with an easy access?
(sorry for side tracking your question a bit).
No worries--I actually meant to imply these questions when I was referring to ease of logistics.
Ideally I want to take at least one train ride, but 8 hour trips in a bone-jarring ride.. um no thanks. Realistically we'll probably end the trip with Amangalla, so that leaves us 2-3 places to stay, so it might end up being train to Tea Trails > X with some wildlife > Y wildlife place > Amangalla. Can anyone advise X and Y?
Helga's Folly looks cool!
Does the new Tea Trails location offer much wildlife? And it seems like Amanwalla has an excursion into Yala?
Does anyone know about the new properties being built in Sri Lanka? And are there any semi-luxury camps/safari outfitters?
May 1, 2015, 10:53 am
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
I believe that the Company behind Tea Trails and Cape Weligama is building a safari lodge in Yala. If I remember correctly, they are aiming for an opening at the end of the year.
http://www.ttgdigital.com/ttg-luxury...692128.article
http://www.ttgdigital.com/ttg-luxury...692128.article
May 2, 2015, 3:26 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,377
Can't comment on the other hotels but I thought both Amangalle and Wella were fantastic. Never understood the complaints people had in the past about these properties. Both were fabulous.
Try to get villa 1 if you do stay at Amanwell.
Try to get villa 1 if you do stay at Amanwell.
May 2, 2015, 2:20 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
my plan right now:
Amangalla -> new Yala camp -> Cape Weligama -> Tea Trails -> Kandy
the middle 3 being the same company would be some kind of package
with free transfer, so that possibly could be easier...
Sri Lanka looks amazing, such a nice combination of wildlife, temples
and nice green landscape/beaches.
I think I'm gonna try to do a 3 week trip. Any specific places not to be missed?
I'm a photographer and photography would be my priority.
Andrew
Amangalla -> new Yala camp -> Cape Weligama -> Tea Trails -> Kandy
the middle 3 being the same company would be some kind of package
with free transfer, so that possibly could be easier...
Sri Lanka looks amazing, such a nice combination of wildlife, temples
and nice green landscape/beaches.
I think I'm gonna try to do a 3 week trip. Any specific places not to be missed?
I'm a photographer and photography would be my priority.
Andrew
May 2, 2015, 3:59 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Here, there … you know how it goes.
Posts: 1,518
Don't know if you all saw my TR; it's a few years old, but hopefully it will be of some help.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...amangalla.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...amangalla.html
May 4, 2015, 12:47 pm
#12
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
The new Yala camp certainly sounds interesting and I hope it is ready. In fact, we planned to go to the Seychelles with hopes of staying at the new Six Senses only to see that project get delayed. We hit Maalifushi (ditched the idea of Cheval Blanc) last year and Lanesborough this summer, so we're on a tear to beat the jet-setters to their playgrounds.
Anyone know of a new Maldives resort we can hit, so that we can be the first on this board to visit (yet provide no review for!)?
Anyone know of a new Maldives resort we can hit, so that we can be the first on this board to visit (yet provide no review for!)?
May 7, 2015, 11:12 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
The new Yala camp certainly sounds interesting and I hope it is ready. In fact, we planned to go to the Seychelles with hopes of staying at the new Six Senses only to see that project get delayed. We hit Maalifushi (ditched the idea of Cheval Blanc) last year and Lanesborough this summer, so we're on a tear to beat the jet-setters to their playgrounds.
Anyone know of a new Maldives resort we can hit, so that we can be the first on this board to visit (yet provide no review for!)?
Anyone know of a new Maldives resort we can hit, so that we can be the first on this board to visit (yet provide no review for!)?
Jun 3, 2015, 9:48 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
