Living Heritage is a boutique forest retreat, set in the tranquil Koslanda hills, in Sri Lanka’s southeastern Hill Country. Surrounded by 80-acre grounds of tropical gardens and ancient forest, home to numerous birds and often visited by monkeys, deer and even an occasional elephant, this remote property offers a true wilderness experience. Sitting amidst the most glorious setting, with a backdrop of misty mountain peaks, it’s a perfect place to relax and unwind.
Set along the Koslanda hillside, Living Heritage has just 6 spacious suites. Built in traditional architecture, each timber and stone building has an impeccably precise architecture creating a tranquil base to rest and explore. All have an authentic Sri Lankan design and include courtyards, plunge pools and lavish bed and bathrooms. Meals are equally authentic, prepared with fresh ingredients on woodfired ovens, serving both traditional Sri Lankan and Western favourites.
Relaxation may need a bit of a climb up a hill but you’ll be richly rewarded with jaw-dropping hilltop infinity pool with views of the south-flowing river complete with enchanting waterfalls. Living Heritage Koslanda offers a range of nature walks and can arrange guided tours to nearby tea plantations and National Parks. The resort is ideally located as a perfect stop between Kandy or Nuwara Eliya and Yala National Park, Uda Walawe and the south west beaches.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay Living Heritage Koslanda has just 6 suites. Three Suites are in a long, traditional style building with slopping terracotta-tiled roof and share a long veranda sprinkled with rattan planters’ chairs. Each are decorated with antiques and include outdoor jacuzzis and open-to-the-sky showers. There is one secluded Deluxe room near the gatehouse with its own Ambalama in the garden for relaxing. And, there are two Forest Pavilion rooms on stilts, overlooking the forest canopy.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Living Heritage Koslanda, but there are no specific facilities available for children.
Dine There is an open-sided timber restaurant at the Living Heritage Koslanda, that serves delicious Sri Lankan and Western favourites. Meals are cooked on a traditional wood-fired stove with fresh locally sourced ingredients. There is a choice of typical English or a ‘local’ breakfast of hoppers, sambols, curries, tropical fruits and yogurt. An all-day menu features seafood, sandwiches and chips and dinner menu includes 5-course Western or a range of Sri Lankan curries.
Relax There is a beautiful hilltop infinity pool with sun loungers at the Living Heritage Koslanda, that surveys the valley below. Another interesting site is a secluded waterfall and river that you can swim in, close to the hotel. Alternatively, take a leisurely walk along the river bank or a guided nature walk to view the birdlife. Guests can also take a cooking class with the hotel chef and learn the art of cooking authentic Sri Lankan dishes.
Experience Nestled amidst the mountain forest, Living Heritage Koslanda offers many nature trails in the surrounds. Guests can explore tea plantations to the North and National Parks to the South. The area is perfect for trekking and nearby interesting sites include Diyaluma Falls, Ella Gap, Poonagala Tea Factory and Buduruwagala’s 7 Buddhist statues carved into a sheer rock face, near Wellawaya. If you have an extra day than visit Udawalawe National Park to see elephants on a game drive.
Location Living Heritage Koslanda is roughly 70km southeast of Nuwara Eliya, and 150km southeast from Kandy, the geographic centre of Sri Lanka.
Getting there The nearest airport is Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (190km), roughly 5 hours by car but you are more likely to arrive with a driver as part of a trip around Sri Lanka. The last leg of the journey entails some windy roads and past waterfalls and the last 5-minutes along an untarmaced, rough private road.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. However, it barely gets unbearably hot in the Hill Country. The months of December to April are probably the best time to visit, when days are warm (around 28C) with cool nights. During the monsoon season from October to December you can expect heavy downpours. June to September are the driest months here when there’s almost no rain at all.
Destination
Central, Sri Lanka
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