environment constitute the world of Vil Uyana that is much talked about the world over.
These thatched cabanas are but a disguise of the luxurious interiors and great comforts held within the privacy of the natural abodes. It is but ironical that whilst guests at Vil Uyana get lost in the wilderness and nestle among the birds and the flora, Vil Uyana itself found its way to the upmarket Harper’s Street international travel magazine recently which describes Vil Uyana as the “best Eco Luxury Hotel in Sri Lanka.”
“This is an amazing place,” said Chaminda Abeysekera, the naturalist at Vil Uyana who has his hands full. Shuttling between elephant gatherings and watching loris, Abeysekera says that life is about Vil Uyana.
At first one may begin to wonder where exactly is the hotel. And then the way of life at Vil Uyana begins to creep in. Winding ways, lit in storybook style, swaying trees that afford a natural escort and soft breezes that misbehave in the morning and night are all happenings that lighten the heart and mind.
A place much talked about in other parts of the world, Vil Uyana may be less known and less appreciated by those at home in Sri Lanka. But the fact remains that this is a creation of a leisure mastermind. This is a whole village in the making and nature has been let into the plan.
“This lake is manmade,” says Abeysekera as hundreds of fish open their mouths in response to every gesture of the hand. The friendly fish crowd around you as you sit in the library wanting to read. And feeding these friendly fish down below not only make them gape at you with devotion, but leaves you feeling so utterly satiated.
The serenity at the library is just too much, so much so that it is distracting. Before the eye could rest on the second paragraph the glistening waters catch the eye. The fish with their pink mouths and gleaming scales are but a touch away. So how interesting can any book get when nature has a greater plot — nature here conspires to steal your breath away.
The luxury of the cabanas are hard to leave behind, but Vil Uyana does subtly ensure that one gets the moderate exercise. The quaint little battery operated vehicles make life easier. But guests prefer to connect with nature and laze around. The slow walk to the restaurant leaves one feeling good that some calories have been lost only to be pampered there. Hot croissants and a full breakfast are the luxuries of this hotel in a natural setting.
Herons, egrets, king fishers, a baby crocodile and ducks all find their way to enjoy your holiday here with you.
“This is a place where bird life comes in search of you,” says Naturalist Abeysekera who has his own set of photographs. With elephant gathering and loris mothers and babies beckoning, professionals and businesspersons who get away for a brief holiday disover that Vil Uyana makes nature the most urgent meeting in life.