On the territory of the peninsula there are many historical monuments that attract the attention of foreign tourists. One of the most interesting places in Sri Lanka is Sigiriya. This is simultaneously the name of the rock, the ancient city and the fortress. The remains of the castle, built in the last quarter of the V century on the top of the mountain, rise above the picturesque green plain at an altitude of 170 m. Every year thousands of curious travelers come here to see with their own eyes a unique historical monument, which now has the status of an Archaeological Museum.
Why is Sigiriya interesting for tourists?
The Lion Rock – this is how the name of the fortress is translated – was built on the initiative of Kashyap (another spelling – Kasappa) – the Sinhalese king, who ruled from 477 to 495 In 477, the monarch managed to seize the throne with the help of the commander-in-chief and his army. Fearing the persecution of his brother, Kashyapa went into hiding in Sigiriya, where in a short period a palace complex was built, which included:
- landscaped gardens;
- hall of mirrors;
- ditches flooded with water;
- a gate in the form of a giant figure of a lion;
- a fortress located on a rock; the walls of the castle were decorated with canvas 40 m high, 140 m long; local artists depicted beautiful concubines in a giant painting.
After Kashyap, Sigiriya became a monastery complex. In this status, the architectural masterpiece existed until the XIV century. Now visitors have the opportunity to see the remains of buildings and natural objects:
- swimming pools equipped on the rock;
- landscaped gardens located around Sigiriya;
- the lion’s paws left over from the majestic gate;
- the foundations of fortress buildings that once towered on top of a cliff;
- a mirrored hall with inscriptions of visitors, preserved on a polished stone wall from the VIII century.
Curious tourists are ready to receive over 270 hotels located near the rock and in the immediate vicinity. Each of the hotels tries to meet the requirements of modern travelers. Ten hotels are leading in the number of enthusiastic reviews about the quality of service and the variety of leisure.
Heritance Kandalama
For tourists who dream of relaxing in a real jungle, a truly unique place is located on the shores of Kandalama Lake, 22.3 km southwest of Sigiriya by road. Heritance Kandalama , a five-star hotel-resort – has 152 spacious rooms, the walls of which are decorated with wooden panels.
The hotel is located in the middle of the rainforest surrounded by high hills. Green plants climb along the facades of the buildings. Therefore, from afar you can not even notice the chic buildings of the hotel. Vacationers have something to do on the territory of the hotel:
- massage treatments at Coco, a small spa;
- workouts and physical exercises in the fitness room;
- playing tennis on the court;
- reading in a quiet atmosphere in a cozy library;
- swimming in three outdoor swimming pools;
- outdoor games on the playground for young hotel guests;
- tropical bird watching in the recreation area.
The hotel also organizes bus excursions to Sigiriya and neighboring national parks, where you can become participants in a safari on obedient elephants. Refreshing drinks, snacks and cocktails are available for guests of the café and two bars. At the request of vacationers, dinners and breakfasts are served in a specially equipped cave or on platforms located on the lake. In the evenings, Kanchana Bar offers piano playing. The hotel has two restaurants:
- Kaludiya (fusion cuisine);
- Kanchana (European and local dishes).
Review. Vadim Orlov, Moscow, Russia. Lovely hotel. That’s my opinion and my wife’s. We spent six wonderful days at Heritance Kandalama. Here you really seem to merge with nature. On the one hand, comfortable conditions, on the other hand, around – jungle, green hills and an incredibly beautiful (especially in the evenings) lake. The hotel staff worked very professionally. Employees were ready to fulfill any whim. Monkeys often appeared on the territory of the hotel, with which you need to be careful. The hotel restaurant always had a wide selection of seafood. Three swimming pools and a superbly equipped fitness room helped me and my wife keep ourselves in good shape. We can safely recommend the Hotel Heritance Kandalama as one of the best in the neighborhood of the famous Sigiriya. It’s not just our opinion.
Sigiriya Village
The four-star hotel complex “Sigiriya Village” is located 1.8 km south of the Lion Rock. To get by car to the entrance to the archaeological museum, it is necessary to overcome a distance of 2.6 km. Sigiriya Village is a complex of six cottage clusters (groups of wooden houses), including 120 rooms.
From the neighboring hotels “Sigiriya Village” is separated by a dense wall of tropical shrubs and trees. On the spacious territory of the hotel there are several objects important for a comfortable pastime of tourists:
- an open pool in the shape of an octagon with unusual edges, which are a broken line;
- lawn for relaxation and barbecue;
- Ayurvedic spa offering several wellness and massage treatments.
Guests of the hotel can relax in the hearts of tropical trees on the shore of a small pond. Local, European and Asian dishes are served in the restaurant, from where you can see the famous Lion Rock. The bar offers a wide selection of fresh juices, low-alcohol cocktails and light snacks. Sigiriya Village is a great option for lovers of Sri Lankan nature, silence and rural lifestyle.
Review. Anton Karpov, St. Petersburg, Russia. My wife and I were absolutely delighted with the Sigiriya Village complex. It’s really a real village. Cozy cottages, tropical plants, monkeys walking around the hotel, and birds that amazed with their bright coloring – all this seemed to immerse us in the life of a Sri Lankan village, lost among the jungles of the island. And only the chic restaurant, big pool, clean spacious rooms and friendly staff reminded us that we were staying at the hotel.
Jetwing Vil Uyana
Tourists who dream of living for a few days in a secluded place among rice fields and jungles will certainly appreciate the advantages of a five-star hotel complex, the “possessions” of which are located 6.5 km southwest of the Lion Rock. The hotel with the unusual name Jetwing Vil Uyana offers a choice of 36 bungalows of five categories:
- in a dense rainforest;
- among irrigated rice fields;
- surrounded by thickets of shrubs;
- on the shore of a small lake;
- in a well-kept garden.
All bungalows are separated from each other. This allows guests to feel the benefits of a secluded lifestyle in silence amidst pristine tropical nature. The 24 bungalows have a small private pool. For hotel guests there are facilities, visiting which you can relax or recharge your batteries and vigor:
- a large outdoor pool of rectangular shape;
- fitness room, where modern simulators are installed;
- a spa with several massage rooms;
- indoor swimming pool.
Guests of the hotel can visit Apsara – a restaurant of Western European and Sri Lankan cuisine, Sulang – a café serving freshly brewed coffee and snacks, and Graffiti – a cozy bar. Jetwing Vil Uyana offers excursions to Dambulla and Sigiriya, as well as safaris to the nearby national park.
Review. Philipp Albrecht, Hamburg, Germany. Without exaggeration, Jetwing Vil Uyana is one of the best hotels on the island. Calm atmosphere, silence, hospitality of the staff, tropical nature, cozy bungalows – all this is not enough for us, the inhabitants of Europe. On the territory of the hotel we saw monitor lizards, heard elephants that lived somewhere nearby in the jungle, listened to the unusual singing of local birds. Mahesh, the chef of the restaurant, and his assistants surprised every day with a variety of dishes. Our personal butler helped with advice, recommended excursions, talked about Sri Lankan traditions. The rest turned out to be eventful and very useful.
Sigiriya King’s Resort
Couples in love and newlyweds will certainly appreciate the advantages of the five-star hotel “Sigiriya Kings Resort“. The hotel is located among the tropical jungle to the north-west of two rocks: 1.7 km from Pidurangal and 3.1 km from Sigiriya. Privacy and tranquility are guaranteed by the opportunity to live and relax in 12 rooms: 4 cottages and 8 houses on trees, standing on solid supports.
Guests of Sigiriya King’s Resort can swim in the outdoor pool, work out and train their body in the fitness room, sunbathe on the spacious terrace or take a stroll in the well-kept garden. Other interesting activities are also available for tourists:
- jeep safari in the protected area;
- boating on the nearest lakes;
- fishing in local rivers;
- cycling along the paths in the tropical forests located in the neighborhood;
- excursions to Dambulla, Lion Rock and Pidurangala.
At the request of vacationers, breakfast can be served in the rooms. The hotel has a cosy lobby bar. The restaurant’s menu, which is a spacious pavilion with a wooden roof and a large terrace, includes a wide range of Asian, local and European dishes.
Review. Jules Duvergers, Lyon, France. We, like true Frenchmen, are accustomed to resting in Caledonia, Tunisia or Reunion. However, this time we chose Sri Lanka to see Sigiriya – an incredibly interesting historical monument of architecture. Sigiriya King’s Resort was chosen because of its convenient location next to the famous rock. When we arrived and began to live here, it turned out that nearby there is another no less interesting natural and historical monument – Pidurangala. The property is well maintained. The place is very quiet. The staff did not ignore any request. My wife Jacqueline and I enjoyed lunch and dinner at the hotel restaurant. The dishes are simply delicious. The hotel is 100% in line with its category.
Amaya Lake Dambulla
12.5 km southeast of Sigiriya is a five-star hotel, where frequent guests are couples and newlyweds. Amaya Lake is located on the northern shore of Kandalama Lake. The hotel is surrounded by a dense wall of tropical forests. For vacationers there are 101 rooms in houses built in the style of “chalet”. Guests use the opportunities provided by the hotel for leisure and health promotion:
- Ayurvedic practices and several types of massage in a cozy spa;
- physical exercises in the gym;
- swimming and swimming in two pools;
- participation in excursions offered by the hotel’s tourist office.
For vacationers there is a relaxation area for a relaxed afternoon pastime and a barbecue. To get acquainted with the delicacies of Sri Lankan cuisine, guests of the hotel visit the samara restaurant, which can accommodate up to 170 people. Refreshing drinks are available at the small bar. Guests can enjoy dinner by the campfire in the relaxation area or at their tables on the shore of the picturesque lake.
Review. Reinir Jansen, Rotterdam, Netherlands. My wife and I had a wonderful four days of vacation at the Amaya Lake Hotel. On the well-groomed territory of the hotel in different places there are monkeys and squirrels that are not afraid of people at all. Here you could get lost among the branching trees, but the paths help to find the right path. The food in the restaurant is incredible. We were served by Nadilham, a smiling waiter who did a great job. I would also like to mention the bartenders – Sandeep and Shakti. Real professionals and virtuosos in the preparation of cocktails. The hotel deserves 10 points out of 10 possible.
Flower Garden Eco Village
Tourists who can do with a minimum of amenities in order to merge with tropical nature for a few days should go southeast of Sigiriya. Here, at a distance of 1.8 km from the Lion Rock, if you go by road, is flower garden – a four-star hotel surrounded by tall palm trees and other tropical trees.
“Flower Garden” – so you can translate the name of the hotel – offers vacationers accommodation in 20 comfortable rooms located in several small two-storey buildings. On the territory of the hotel there are few leisure facilities, but tourists come here not for entertainment, but for the purpose of staying a few days in the silence of the Sri Lankan jungle. Pastime of vacationers in the “Flower Garden” consists of interesting activities for tourists:
- from a visit to the restaurant, where Sri Lankan dishes are served;
- swimming in the compact pool, around which several sun loungers are installed;
- relaxed pastime and meditation in the green relaxation area.
Review. Steve Tolben, Nottingham, UK. The Flower Garden is a lovely hotel for tourists like me and my wife Dorothy. We love to come to Sri Lanka 1-2 times a year to such quiet places as Sigiriya. Compared to those hotels where we have stayed before, the “Flower Garden” is one of the quietest and most peaceful places on the island. The staff deserve the most flattering reviews. We had dinner at the restaurant. The dishes are extremely tasty, although they can not be called cheap. To our surprise, there was even strong alcohol and beer on the menu, which is quite rare in Sri Lanka. We reached lion mountain on foot. This allowed you to get better acquainted with the Sri Lankan nature.
Water Garden Sigiriya
A romantic getaway is guaranteed to couples who choose to relax in the “Water Garden” – a five-star hotel located 10.5 km north of the Lion Rock. The hotel complex Water Garden occupies a vast territory, which includes rice fields, artificial and natural small lakes and canals. The hotel offers vacationers accommodation in 30 comfortable one- and two-storey villas.
The territory of the hotel is conditionally divided into sectors by wide straight paths and canals. For vacationers, several exciting activities are available:
- relax in the sun loungers and at the tables on the shore of the open pool, where you can swim from dawn to late evening;
- a game of croquet on a specially equipped field;
- archery in the territory closed from outsiders;
- participation in the demonstration of the art of cooking in the hotel restaurant;
- six types of massages and other treatments at Le Lily, the spa.
Next to most of the villas there is a compact private pool. The menu of the hotel restaurant includes dozens of names of Sri Lankan and European dishes. The duplex bar offers a wide range of snacks and drinks.
Review. Emily Parker, Perth, Australia. Hotel “Water Garden” has many advantages that make it one of the best on the island. First of all, it is the attentive staff, beautiful interior design of spacious rooms, pools at the villas, delicious breakfasts and hearty dinners. Very impressive is the combination of rice fields and thickets of shrubs with a well-groomed area, along which paths are laid, evenly covered with solid tiles. Like us, most vacationers are married couples.
Seerock The King’s Domain
About 650 metres north of the Water Garden Hotel is Seerock The King’s Domain. The distance from “Sirok” to the Lion Rock by road is 1.3 km. The interior design of the hotel is made in the same style as The Water Garden. This also applies to architectural style and landscape design. On the territory of the hotel there are several objects that serve for the rest of guests or create a romantic atmosphere:
- a pond with lotuses;
- outdoor pool in the shape of the letter “T” with a low artificial waterfall;
- perfectly straight paths with a hard surface;
- a small tropical garden.
The hotel has a team of professional masseurs who provide services in the guests’ villas. The restaurant is a spacious room under a high wooden roof. The menu includes many dishes of various cuisines.
Review. Torkel Persson, Malmö, Sweden. My friend and I have long wanted to see the world-famous places of Sri Lanka. We chose the Hotel Seerock because of its proximity to the sights that we dreamed of getting acquainted with in the first place. These are the Lion Rock, Candulla and Wilpattu (national parks), Ritigala – an ancient monastery. Almost all the time was spent on excursions, bike rides and safaris. However, we managed to appreciate the advantages of the hotel: friendly staff (I especially want to note the employee Gini), well-groomed territory, a spacious villa, a restaurant, from where the Lion Rock is clearly visible. Five days of vacation flew by like a few hours.
Roo Mansala Boutique Villas
One of the most worthy options for newlyweds and couples will be “Roo Mansala” – a five-star boutique hotel located 1.7 km north of the entrance to the Archaeological Museum. Six two-storey villas, located in a well-kept garden and surrounded by dense Sri Lankan forests, are equipped with spacious terraces, where in hot weather you can take refuge in the cool shade and admire the beauty of tropical nature.
The hotel’s restaurant serves a variety of Eastern and Western dishes. Guests of Roo Mansala can dine or dine in an Alfresco style (in nature). A small swimming pool is available on site. For holidaymakers, car rental services and a tour desk are available.
Review. Erich Fangmann, Basel, Switzerland. After three days of relaxation at Roo Mansala, only a pleasant experience remained. We, three tourists from faraway Switzerland, were greeted so solemnly that we felt like kings or presidents. The room was constantly cleaned. And we didn’t notice it. We saw only the result – a perfectly clean villa. We were served by Shammik and his team. Real professionals! The breakfasts are delicious. What was especially new to us was the dense forest that surrounded the hotel on all sides. If we go to Sri Lanka again, we will stop at Roo Mansala.
The Hideout Sigiriya
Privacy, peace, relaxation – all this awaits tourists who have chosen the four-star hotel The Hideout, located 6 km southeast of the entrance to the territory of Sigiriya. For guests there are three villas built in the style of “houses in trees” and 12 comfortable rooms in separate buildings. The hotel is located in a place around which there are irrigated rice fields and a jungle that seems impassable.
Guests can relax on the lawn in the seating area. There are also two small pools: in the form of a hexagon – for children, and rectangular – for adult tourists. Young guests and their parents have fun on the swings set on the lawn among the tall trees. Asian and European dishes are served in the hotel restaurant, which works on the bed & breakfast system, which in Russian language is referred to as “accommodation (bed) and breakfast”.
Review. Robin Edwards, Hamilton, New Zealand. The Hideout is a great place to escape from crowds of tourists, city noise, shop windows, crowded markets, supermarkets with deceptive discounts and much more that we define as a consumer society. Villas equipped in the crowns of coconut palms make it possible for every guest of the hotel to feel part of nature. The views here, by the way, are delightful, especially in the mornings and evenings during sunsets and sunrises. The attitude of the staff to the holidaymakers is very friendly. Employees are ready to fulfill almost any request of the guests. The Hideout is, without exaggeration, a magnificent place that deserves the greatest praise.
What to choose?
It is not easy for tourists to decide which hotel to stay in, so that the vacation is interesting and eventful. Each of these hotels has a wide range of advantages. However, travelers who dream of being in a remote place, among tropical plants, but at the same time will not lose the opportunity to use modern amenities, will certainly opt for Heritance Kandalama. In addition, this five-star hotel has an unusual design of the facade and location on the shore of a large lake.
Selection of hotels Sigiriya on map
