Highlights

  • Gorgeous location on one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka
  • All the rooms have glorious sea views
  • A sheltered and warm bay ideal for swimming and snorkelling
  • The vast infinity pool seems to lead into the sea
  • Friendly service and delicious and varied menus

Although the teardrop island of Sri Lanka has no shortage of stunning shoreline, not all its beaches and bays are equal, some slightly too rough for a swim. At Passikudah however, a coral reef hugs the bay, making it one of the best on the island for swimming and snorkelling. The ultra-luxurious Uga Bay Resort is perfectly positioned beside this superior seaside.


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In more detail

There are 48 rooms to choose from at stylish Uga Bay. Each has a sea view beyond the silhouettes of slender and graceful palm trees. Beach Studios offer direct access on to the glowing sand. Ocean Studios have balconies overlooking the changing blue hues of the sea stretching to the horizon. The Bay Suite and the Beach Villa have the added bonus of a private pool.

But with a bay as sheltered as this and as warm as summer, and a staggeringly sized infinity pool that seems to merge into the sea, the choice of room here doesn’t make much difference. All are large, well designed, with wooden furniture and elegant tones, enlivened by vibrant local fabrics. Sleek bathrooms feature rain-showers, and private terraces, fabulous views.

There’s just one restaurant here, which also features views over very green gardens spilling down to the true blue Indian Ocean. The food is varied and highly rated though, ranging from Sri Lankan specials to international culinary classics, and service is solicitous. The staff will happily organise private dining experiences anywhere on the resort.

The spa with traditional treatments is an attraction in its own right – it’s underground, but even here there are windows with sea views. Out on the water, snorkelling, swimming, water-skiing are daily delights. Further out, diving amidst shipwrecks offers another thrill, with tropical fish flashing their neon scales over decks and through holes in old hulls.

Traditional fishing takes place on the bay – many of the dishes in the restaurant are based on the catch of the hour. It’s fun to watch and possible to take private fishing trips too. Nearby villages and colourful Hindu temples add drama and distraction in contrast to the sense of calm that pervades the resort. Return to the laid-back beach bar as the sun leaves, shading the bright blue to velvet purple to inky black as candles flicker and cocktails are poured.  

 

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