Stay here: Hilton Yala Resort, Sri Lanka review

What’s the deal?  

The Hilton Yala Resort offers an unforgettable luxury experience for adventurers, set within a remarkable natural wonder of the world: Yala National Park. As Cathay Pacific’s flight from Hong Kong lands late in the evening, we stayed at the beautifully refurbished Hilton Colombo overnight before Hilton’s seamless transfer to Yala the next morning. 

Why stay?  

Opened last summer, the resort offers stylish lodgings that exude safari chic and every room has a private hot tub or pool. The centrepiece of the property is the swimming pool, evoking a mangrove with its meandering design. There are four dining experiences to explore: you’ll find contemporary Asian cuisine at Dhira; Western grilled specialities at Sandali; coffee by day and cocktails by night at Vanya; and bespoke fine dining on the beach at Lanthaaruma. The Eforea Spa provides relaxing treatments that draw from ancient and modern pampering techniques, in glass treatment rooms that may even grant you a glimpse of passing leopards. The nature-first design ethos ensures the utmost respect for the environment. Three greenbelts run through the resort, so animals can roam freely – don’t be alarmed if you see an elephant passing by. 

Don't miss

The highlight of any stay here is the unforgettable safari. Six incredibly knowledgeable wildlife expert rangers, led by Sajith Withanage, lead daily outings, ensuring a safe and informative journey full of natural wonder. With Hilton, expect to beat the queues and maximise your time exploring the wildlife.