Vil Uyana is a luxury eco hotel, set in its own purpose-built wetlands near Sigiriya in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Inspired by WWT London Wetland Centre and designed by award-winning environmental architect, Sunela Jayawardena, it is a haven for nature and birdwatchers. Spread across the 28-acre private nature reserve are stunning landscapes of paddy fields, ponds, bamboo forests and reed beds now home to spectacular species of birds and other wildlife.
Sprawled across this vast reserve, Vil Uyana has just 36 freestanding, stilted wooden dwellings. All units are spacious in size, self-contained with plenty of comfort and enjoy beautiful landscapes of different habitats. The hotel's two restaurant overlook the large communal pool, serving both Eastern and Western dishes. There's also a beautiful island spa with gym offering Ayurvedic treatments, and a resident Ayurvedic doctor.
In the surrounds, Sigiriya rock fortress is just 10 mins drive from Vil Uyana. The hotel can arrange private tours of the fort as well as of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s cultural cities. Other highlights include Dambulla's ancient Buddhist cave temples, Minneriya National Park for seeing elephants (best from July to October) and Ritigala Forest Reserve. Activities include cycling or walking and the Loris watching tour to catch a glimpse of these adorable little creatures.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBanquet FacilitiesBar/PubBusiness CentreConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomFitness CentreGardenLibraryMeeting/Conference FacilitiesMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSalonSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableStay Vil Uyana offers 36 spacious dwellings on four different terrains. There are split-level Dwellings, set in paddy and marsh and Water Dwellings set over the lake with wonderful views. Forest Dwellings are more spacious and have their own plunge pools, while Garden Dwellings are surrounded by trees, making them perfect for wildlife enthusiasts. All Dwellings are self-contained and feature air-conditioning, private balcony or terrace, and some have private plunge pools.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Vil Uyana but there are no specific facilities available for them. However, there is much to do here that will keep the young occupied. The hotel is a nature paradise with many activities including cycling, visits to the craft village, and wildlife tours.
Dine There are two restaurants at Vil Uyana. Apsara is a fine dining restaurant that serves Western, Asian and authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Breakfast is a feast here with options for Sri Lankan curries and Western style with eggs to order. Lunch and dinner has a set menu of seven courses alongwith a la carte options. For casual dining, there is Sulang, overlooking the lake which offers light meals and drinks. There is also Graffiti Bar offering cocktails, wines, spirits and Sri Lankan beers.
Relax Facilities at the hotel include an outdoor swimming pool and a beautiful island spa with its own resident ayurvedic doctor who can advise and recommend ideal treatments. There is also a fitness centre and a library, set above the main pond with a wide variety of wildlife handbooks and guides.
Experience The wetlands in Vil Uyana are home to rich birdlife that you can explore either on your own or on an early morning bird-watching tour with the resident naturalist. The wetlands are home to rich birdlife including lily trotters, jacanas, coots, white breasted water hens, herons, egrets, cormorants, the white bellied and grey headed fish eagles and four different species of kingfishers. In the surrounds is the Sigiriya rock fortress, Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks.
Location Located in Sigiriya, within the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka 153 km from the Colombo International Airport. 169 km from Colombo. 5 km from the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Getting there Fly to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. It takes 4-hours to drive from Colombo and the international airport to Vil Uyana.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. There are two monsoon seasons but they only bring rain to the west and south-west coasts from May to September; and the east coast and northern region between October and February. The rest of the year is sunny and dry. The central hills remain cooler all year and the only months we'd recommend avoiding are October and November when rainfall is less predictable.
Destination
Central, Sri Lanka
Featured
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."
