Sri Lanka

The Jetwing Vil Uyana: My Personal Heaven

Have you ever been to a hotel that makes you want to throw away everything you own and just move in? I’m not talking about just any luxury hotel that stuns you with its over-the-top details and 18,000 thread count sheets. I mean a hotel that fits your exact style and personality. A place that makes you feel more relaxed that your own living room couch does. A place that somehow got it so right that you feel like it was meant for you.

I’ve been lucky enough over the years to find not only one, but two of these places. I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to find another, but I did – Jetwing’s Vil Uyana in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. It is the kind of eco-resort that spoils with luxury but still feels down-to-earth and local. Its use of natural elements and bright yet earthy colors feels comforting and restorative.

I was thrilled to be gifted a 2-night stay here from my parents on my birthday. Not only did I want to move in permanently, but it was the perfect way to kick off our Sri Lankan adventure.

Hibiscus floating in water at the Vil Uyana | Sri Lanka

After 28 hours of transit from New York, including a 13-hour flight, another 5-hour flight, and 3-hour non-air conditioned van ride through coconut groves and villages, we arrived at the Vil Uyana in desperate need of…something. Maybe a cocktail, maybe just a change of clothes. But the Vil Uyana did us one better. We were welcomed with an ice cold glass of local tea, a moment to regroup in an over-the-water outdoor library, followed by a continental/local breakfast in the open-air dining room. It was the perfect antidote to travel fatigue.

Where has this place been all my life?

Main building across the lake at the Vil Uyana | Sri Lanka

Library at the Vil Uyana | Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Dining Room at the Vil Uyana | Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

After our breakfast, we wandered around the property a little before heading to our villa, or “dwelling” as they are called here. The beautiful tropical and cultural details of the resort’s grounds gave me pangs of excitement that we were finally in Sri Lanka.

Infinity pool at the Vil Uyana | Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Main pool deck | Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka

View to pool the main building | Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka

Frangipani, floating | Vil Uyana Sri Lanka

There were stone bowls of water all over the resort – always filled with delicious tropical flowers. Frangipani, or plumeria, is my absolute favorite.

White pond flower | Sri Lanka

Vil Uyana’s dwellings are equally as beautiful as the grounds. There are five locations that accommodate different budgets, group sizes and styles.

The most economical is a garden dwelling, which is shrouded in trees and bamboos on the outskirts of the grounds. Moving up you can stay in the forest, the marsh, or the rice paddies that surround the center yet still feel secluded and natural. The most glamorous ones though are perched over of the water of the resort’s lake and are extra close to the main building for easy access to dining, the infinity pool, and the library.

But don’t worry if your dwelling isn’t in spitting distance of the lobby – many have their own private plunge pools so you won’t need to wander back to the main pool every time you need to cool off.

Our dwelling was set on stilts over an impossibly green rice paddy, and as we arrived just at the start of the off-season, we received a heavily discounted rate. And a whole lot of privacy. We didn’t see single guest walking around the rice bridges our entire stay – the rice paddy was all ours.

Paddy villas at the Vil Uyana | Sri Lanka

Vil Uyana rice paddy villa | Sri Lanka

Soaking tub in a paddy villa | Vil Uyana. Sri Lanka

Paddy villa private plunge pool | Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka

Our little pool deck – a perfect way to escape the intense heat and humidity of late May.

Rice paddy sunset | Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka

Though we only had two days to enjoy the spoils of Vil Uyana’s eco-luxury, we took full advantage. The day we arrived, we never left.  We went back and forth between lounging at the main pool and lounging at our private pool. We read in the library with a tall Lion beer and indulged in delicious local dishes in the open-air dining room. Our resort day was such a blessing as the ten and a half hour time difference was BRUTAL to over come. Our second day was spent running around the region: we climbed Sigiriya and hung out with elephants at Minneriya National Park. Having a comfortable place to return to was a treat for us normally very frugal travelers.

When we left the resort 48-hours after we’d first arrived, we felt refreshed and ready for an adventure. Our plush and indulgent stay had helped us overcome travel fatigue and (some) jet lag, as well as introduced us to the country we had traveled so far to explore.

And though I’m not sure I’ll be lucky enough to return to Sri Lanka to experience the Vil Uyana again soon, I know I will remember the way it made me feel every time I look back at our trip.


Check out the Jetwing Vil Uyana’s official site for more info. Prices for dwellings depend on the time of year.


 

5 Comments

  • Kendra (the Escapologist)
    August 12, 2014 at 9:08 am

    Looks like an amazing place to relax. That little pool is perfect!

    Reply
    • Aj
      August 13, 2014 at 6:45 am

      It’s just 25 dwellings across 25 acres of nature!

      Reply
    • Annie
      August 13, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      it definitely was. the pool was a little chilly but really refreshing as it was probably the most humid place I have EVER traveled to!

      Reply
  • Heather eadie
    June 27, 2016 at 4:19 pm

    Loved your review. We are staying here on our honeymoon and I can’t wait!! Did you arrange the elephant trip independently or did you go with the tour provided by the hotel?

    Reply
    • Annie
      June 28, 2016 at 10:20 am

      Hi Heather! I booked our private transfer from the airport to the hotel, our taxi to and from sigiriya rock, and our elephant safari all separately with sigiriyataxi.com. We loved them. Very friendly, comfortable cars, and they got us our driver for the national park. Its FAR cheaper to book separately like this, but if you don’t want to go to the trouble of arranging it yourself, the hotel can do it for you. Have a great time! It’s a beautiful hotel and an amazing country!

      Reply

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