Aliya Resort and Spa

Aliya Resort’s spacious Deluxe Rooms are complete with modern furnishings and a stylish interior, with accent colours making a vibrant addition to the light and airy atmosphere. Each bedroom includes a comfortable queen-size bed, fitted with soft and breathable linen, as well as a desk space, a relaxing seating area and a private en-suite bathroom with a separate bathtub and walk-in shower.

An additional bed can be provided for a third guest. Guests can enjoy relaxing in this tranquil space, watching international channels or enjoying a mug of tea or coffee, or something cool from the room’s minibar out on the private balcony.

The Deluxe Rooms with an Attic feature a cosy loft bedroom, ideal for children travelling with parents or guardians. Travelling up the stylish ladder staircase, young guests will find their own private utopia, with a low desk and comfortable twin beds. Downstairs, adults can enjoy all of the amenities of the standard deluxe rooms, such as the LCD TV, minibar, spacious en-suite bathroom and comfy seated area, with the peace of mind that their little ones are close by.

Each of the 18 Wooden Chalets is built from recycled materials and rests in the resort’s jungle area, surrounded by verdant plants and luscious thicket. Here, guests can immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the modern luxuries that the chalets have to offer. Each of the spacious rooms comes with a queen-size bed with a thick mattress.

The wooden furnishings create a rustic and homey feel to the chalet, and the en-suite bathrooms are large and easily accessible with plenty of room to move around. Guests can enjoy sitting on loungers out on their private verandah, with a drink from the minibar. The chalets are designed to blend in with their natural surroundings during the day, with a plethora of dainty lanterns guiding you home in the evenings.

Aliya Resort and Spa offers 2 luxurious Suites that are perfect for families of up to 5. The suites both feature two bedrooms, a master bedroom with a king-size bed and en-suite bathroom, and a second bedroom with a queen-size bed. In addition, guests can enjoy the home theatre system, pantry, private pool, sauna and jacuzzi. These spacious suites allow families to delight in a secluded and exclusive setting with the beautiful backdrop of the wilderness.

Alaka Restaurant offers guests the chance to try delicious authentic Sri Lankan dishes and delicacies that celebrate the local cuisine of Sigiriya. Alaka caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and guests can enjoy freshly made dishes that use high-quality ingredients and spices grown within the resort’s grounds, with the backdrop of the Rock Fortress and Pidurangala Rock Temple that lie beyond the tranquil waters of the resort’s infinity pool.

Nagula is a speciality restaurant where guests can enjoy tasty and traditional dishes in a rustic and simple atmosphere. Perched on the verandah that wraps around the resort’s Paddy Museum, Nagula’s dishes are prepared in a classic village kitchen, using clay pots and clay stoves. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the paddy fields and fruit trees from the refreshing outdoor dining area and enjoy viewing the display of historical artefacts displayed within the museum before or after their meals.

Makara is an authentic Chinese restaurant that offers mouthwatering meals in the beautiful setting of red fringe decor, golden dragons climbing along the walls, and comfortable seated booths separated by hanging curtains to provide a private dining experience. Guests can look forward to delicious classic Chinese cuisine such as spring rolls, stir fry and delectable curries in this vibrant and oriental atmosphere.

Migara is a peaceful coffee shop and bar where guests can relax and enjoy a comforting drink to gentle jazz music, with beautiful decorations such as hand-carved lions, and a panoramic view of the rolling hills and luscious forests. There is a quiet area behind the bar where guests can enjoy a private moment together at a table for two with low atmospheric lighting. Enjoy refreshments or an indulgent cocktail before dinner in a charming and soothing environment.

Enjoy a range of soothing spa treatments designed to relax the mind, body and soul at the Ayurveda spa, Ayur Vie. Guests can choose from a selection of holistic Ayurvedic treatments including herbal oil body treatments, facials, steam baths, herbal baths, and foot treatments. Enjoy a free meditation and yoga session that will leave you feeling re-centred and distressed after your long journey here, and guests can also take advantage of the Singles and Couples sessions offered. Ayurveda, which means the knowledge of life, is a traditional healing practice that aims to restore mental and physical wellness.

One of Sri Lanka’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress was once the site of King Kasyapa’s royal palace which he had built at the top of the 600-foot tall rock. Kasyapa ruled from 477 to 495 CE, but his palace was fitted with bathing pools, ponds and royal quarters. Today, much of the palace has been reduced to ruins, but at the foot of the rock, three large gardens remain, some even with ponds still intact and holding water. The lion guarding the entrance still remains, and travellers can also view the caves where court members would have lived and the Sigiriya Frescoes which represent the women who resided within the palace. To reach the top, guests must climb around 1,200 steps, but the panoramic views that can be enjoyed are well worth it.

Minneriya National Park lies within the north-central province of Sri Lanka, just an 18-minute journey from Aliya Resort, and is home to over 700 wild elephants, and two endemic species of monkey, the purple-faced Langur and Toque Macaque. The water from the Minneriya Tank allows both the forest and wildlife to thrive, creating a verdant haven for a range of flora and fauna. Guests can also enjoy the park’s prolific birdlife, and look out for stunning species such as the Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot, Grey Hornbill and Jungle Fowl.

The ruins at Pollonnaruwa date back to the 7th century and were once a town that rested near Sri Lanka’s largest river, the Mahaveli. The ancient city was advanced, with irrigation systems to assist with farming, and reservoirs to collect water. Today, the Parakrama Samudraya, a lake built 1200 years ago by order of the King, still sustains the paddy land in the area and provides it with water. Pollonnaruwa also offers an informative and historical look back at the Buddhist and Hindu culture that was prevalent during this time.

Kaudulla National Park is famous for its incredible populations of indigenous and migratory birds, and over 160 different species have been recorded at the park. The irrigation tanks built by one of Sri Lanka’s ancient monarchs, King Mahasen, have allowed the park to flourish and thrive, creating an oasis for wildlife. Guests can expect to see a range of creatures including elephants, sloth bears, Sambar deer, Indian black turtles, Indian flap-shelled turtles and the rare Sri Lankan axis deer.

Aliya Resort and Spa is part of Theme Resorts and Spas, which runs a number of eco-resorts in Sri Lanka. Theme Resorts and Spas also work with local communities, launching projects to help give back to those living in the areas they operate in that help develop education, provide jobs and enhance lives. This includes the building and management of a computer centre and launching an English language centre in Passekudah, and creating a free school and computer centre for children in Galle (who have been affected by a tsunami) to help local people learn and provide spaces to improve their skills. Theme Resorts also built a house for a war widow in Passekudah to help her rebuild her life after a devastating loss, and have a coral re-planting project in Passekudah Bay.