Set in Yala National Park, the third property of Resplendent Ceylon is the island's hottest hotel opening
Surf, tea, safari—this is what homegrown hospitality group Resplendent Ceylon now offers with the recent opening of Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Yala National Park. With renowned hotels elsewhere in Sri Lanka, namely Ceylon Tea Trails in the tea country and Cape Weligama in Galle, the newest addition to the collection helps paint an accurate picture of the island's diverse offerings. With plans to open in the Cultural Triangle of Sigiriya in 2018 and another property in Colombo, they're sure to cover everything a curious and discerning traveller may seek. But first, let's explore what they have up their sleeve in this ambitious undertaking.
1. First Impressions
After a smooth flight into Colombo via Sri Lankan Airlines, a five-hour drive brings you to Yala National Park—the country's second largest park and also the most visited one, with most travellers making the journey in search of the elusive leopard. Wild Coast Tented Lodge has the privilege of being located very close to the park, and is set within the thick jungle and right on the edge of a pristine beach by the Indian Ocean.
The way the resort was conceived shows respect for its special location, something felt right upon arrival. Check-in happens in a charming little hut, after which you're led to your room on foot. En route, you won't miss the striking open-air bar and restaurant; if you're more observant, you'll also spot Adrian Gray's balancing stone art dotted along the paths. Much of the resort mimics this first encounter—rustic yet refined, thematic but not contrived, and though it's completely new, it already feels right at home.