Set high above Sri Lanka’s tea-carpeted valleys, a new retreat is preparing to open its doors, a retreat that blends into its surroundings. Uga Ghiri, the latest addition to the Uga Resorts collection, is set to launch in July 2026, offering an intimate, all-inclusive experience at the heart of Ella.
A Different Kind of Uga Escape
Uga Resorts has long been associated with thoughtful, place-led hospitality across Sri Lanka, from the wild edges of Yala to the coastal calm of Pasikuda. Still, Uga Ghiri feels like a shift. This is the brand’s first fully hill country retreat of this scale and intimacy, designed around just 15 standalone villas, each positioned to embrace uninterrupted views of the surrounding highlands. Where other Uga properties often centre around coastline or wildlife, Ghiri centres on elevation, in both a physical and experiential sense. The approach here is slower, more reflective, with tea estates, misty mornings, and the quiet rhythm of mountain life.
The Setting: Ella at Its Most Immersive
Ella has become one of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after destinations, renowned for its diverse landscapes and cinematic train journeys. Uga Ghiri is set within the historic Sutherland Estate, unfolding across 10 acres of terraced hillside. From this vantage point, the property offers a direct view of the Nine Arch Bridge, one of the island’s most photographed landmarks. Trains trace their way through dense jungle below, adding a subtle sense of movement to an otherwise very still landscape.
Beyond its immediate surroundings, Ella gradually reveals more for those willing to explore. Little Adam’s Peak, Ella Rock, and Ravana Falls sit within easy reach, part of a wider highland network that has attracted travellers for generations due to its unique combination of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Villas Designed for Stillness
Each of the 15 villas has been conceived as a private retreat, having generous interiors with a separate living space, expansive bathroom, and outdoor deck. The design is deliberately subtle, pairing a contemporary framework with gentle references to Sri Lankan craft. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the landscape in, while outside, private hot tubs offer uninterrupted views across the hills.
The layout naturally encourages a slower pace, with mornings spent watching mist lift from the valleys and evenings settling into the quiet of the highlands.
A Restored Manor at the Heart
At the centre of the estate sits a restored colonial-era manor, now reimagined as the social and culinary heart of the property. Inside, spaces unfold into a library, drawing room, and dining areas that balance heritage architecture with a lighter, more contemporary feel. Fireplaces add warmth on cooler evenings, which is a detail that feels fitting in Sri Lanka’s hill country.
Dining here follows Uga’s signature all-inclusive approach, but with a clear emphasis on regional identity. Ingredients and flavours are rooted in Sri Lanka’s culinary traditions, while presentation represents a more refined, modern style.
Wellness in the Highlands
Wellness at Uga Ghiri is shaped by its setting. The spa integrates traditional Balinese techniques with the calm of the surrounding mountains, offering treatment rooms that open out onto panoramic views. Alongside this, a 15-metre infinity pool extends towards the horizon, creating a natural focal point for the property. Rather than an extensive list of facilities, the approach prioritises a smaller, more thoughtfully chosen offering.
Experiences Rooted in Engagement
What sets Uga Ghiri apart is the way it invites guests to engage with the landscape beyond observation. Experiences range from tea-making journeys (tracing the process from leaf to cup) to arrack tastings and market-led cooking sessions.
For those drawn to the outdoors, there are cycling routes through nearby estates as well as guided walks that introduce both cultural and ecological insights. A notable inclusion is the ‘Rewild the Hills’ initiative, which encourages guests to take part in biodiversity conservation, including habitat restoration and species documentation. It’s an approach that adds a deeper sense of connection to the landscape being observed from the accommodations.
The Uga Collection
Uga Ghiri becomes the brand’s eighth property, joining a portfolio that spans Sri Lanka’s most varied landscapes, from the historic plains of Anuradhapura to the beaches of Trincomalee and the wilderness of Yala. However, Uga Ghiri feels different. Where properties like Uga Chena Huts are defined by wildlife encounters, and Uga Bay by coastal ease, Ghiri is shaped by altitude, cool air, layered views, and a quieter pace of travel.
A Distinctive Addition to Ella
With rates starting from around £899 per villa per night on an all-inclusive basis, Uga Ghiri sits within the upper tier of Sri Lanka’s boutique hospitality. Yet its appeal lies less in scale or luxury, and more in its sense of place. In a destination already rich with natural beauty, Uga Ghiri offers something more focused: an experience shaped by elevation, intimacy, and a deep respect for its surroundings. A retreat designed not to compete with its landscape, but to blend comfortably with it.
To discover more, visit Uga Resorts
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All imagery courtesy of Uga Resorts.