Luxury Hotel · Sri Lanka
Ulagalla
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
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One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
Uga Ulagalla sits within 58 acres of working paddy fields, orchards and gardens in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, built around a 150-year-old mansion that once served as the home of the local village chieftain.
The property is run by Uga Escapes and has 25 villas and suites, each with a private plunge pool, spread across the grounds with views across rice paddies, lily ponds and two ancient reservoirs.
Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is a short drive away, as are Sigiriya and Dambulla.
Half the property’s energy comes from an on-site solar farm, and the grounds are navigated by bicycle or on-call electric golf buggy.
Highlights
- Eco-friendly luxury hotel
- Twenty-five villas and suites set across 58 acres of paddy fields and gardens near Anuradhapura, each with a private plunge pool, run by Uga Escapes
- Olympic-sized pool, sunken spa, gym, library, wine cellar and two restaurants including the Kamatha paddy field dining experience
Accommodation
Deluxe Villas
The five Deluxe Villas at 1,850 square feet have a separate living area, a 700 square foot deck with day beds and a private plunge pool.
Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto views of the surrounding forest and paddy fields.
Nikewewa Villa
The Nikewewa Villa is the largest option at the property, with two bedrooms, a spacious dining and living area and floor-to-ceiling glass walls with views across the rice paddies.
A private length pool runs alongside the villa, making it well suited to families or small groups.
Pool Villa
The 19 Pool Villas are the entry point at Ulagalla, each over 850 square feet with panoramic glass wall views across the landscape, a private deck and a plunge pool.
Interiors include a film library, rain shower, mini bar and tea and coffee making facilities.
Further information
Food & Drink
Liyawela Restaurant
The Liyawela Restaurant sits in the restored mansion and serves Sri Lankan and international dishes using produce grown in the property’s own organic vegetable plots. The cocktail bar is in the same building and has access to an underground wine cellar.
Kamatha
A traditional clay-floored pavilion set among the paddy fields, serving a feast of traditional Sri Lankan dishes cooked in an age-old fashion. It is the more immersive of the two dining options and worth booking at least once during a stay.
Private Dining
A treetop champagne breakfast, moonlit dinners by the pool and other private dining experiences can be arranged throughout the stay on request.
Spa & Wellness
The sunken spa offers a range of treatments drawing on both traditional and contemporary therapies.
The Olympic-sized pool sits within landscaped gardens and is the main focal point for daytime relaxation.
A fully equipped gym is also on site. Beyond the property, activities include horse riding by the lake, archery, kayaking, cycling through the paddy fields, birdwatching, guided nature walks and village excursions.
The Cultural Triangle sites of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Dambulla are all within reach for guests who want to build day trips into their stay
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a tear-shaped island sitting off the southern tip of India in the Indian Ocean, separated from the mainland by the Palk Strait. It is small enough to cross by road in a few hours, yet varied enough to feel like several different countries within a single trip. The island has a population of around twenty-two million and a history of continuous civilization stretching back over two thousand years.
Our Experts
Sri Lanka is truly one of the most special places I've been lucky enough to visit. There's so much heritage and culture to discover on this small island nation - and the vistas are absolutely breathtaking.
Sri Lanka is the ideal place to pair with a trip to the Maldives, offering a dose of cultural stimulation following a sumptuous Maldivian escape. There's also a bounty of luxury properties in Sri Lanka.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Sri Lanka Wildlife and Culture Tour
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Classic Sri Lanka
Tailor-made VacationSri Lanka fuses ancient cities, tea-covered highlands, and a historic coastline within a single trip. This itinerary moves from the sacred sites of the Cultural Triangle through the misty hill country around Ella to the beaches and colonial streets of Galle. A land of timeless beauty, Sri Lanka is the ideal destination for a gay adventure vacation, with its fusion of culture, landscapes, and wildlife.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.