Amaya Lake, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Set 148 km north-east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy, Amaya Lake in Dambulla invites guests into a world reminiscent of days gone by — announced, fittingly, by the distant sound of Raban. The property weaves rich culture and heritage together with the luxurious comfort of a star-class hotel, offering what it describes as kingly treatment right from the start.

The journey from Bandaranayake International Airport typically takes around three to four hours by road, after which the tranquil surroundings of Kandalama Lake make the destination feel immediately worth the drive.

Accommodation

Guests can choose from several styles of stay. Suite rooms stretch out over Kandalama Lake and come with a private sitting area, a plasma TV, a king-sized bed and a dedicated butler service. For those who prefer to stay close to nature without sacrificing comfort, eco-friendly deluxe chalets feature satellite TV and a range of luxury amenities. Club lodges and chalets round out the options, each finished with architect-inspired décor and elegant furnishings.

Facilities

The hotel caters to energetic guests with a tennis court, a badminton court, a cricket pitch, a volleyball court and a children's playground. Outdoor equipment and special games for children are available on request at the reception. Wi-Fi access extends across the entire property, making it possible to browse the web poolside or beneath the shade of the surrounding forest. A swimming pool and souvenir shops are also on hand for more leisurely moments.

Ayurveda and Spa

Nearby, an Ayurvedic spa and the Wewe Kade Ayurvedic restaurant complement the indigenous experience. Entering the spa is itself described as a spiritual journey: antique timber cupboards hold 200-year-old medicines, baskets of drying Ayurvedic herbs rest in sun or shade, and incense and oil lamps burn beside a statue of Sri Dhanvantari, the patron deity of Ayurveda.

In-house facilities include aromatic steam rooms, steam baths, therapeutic milk baths and herbal oil baths. A team of twenty skilled Ayurvedic specialists and physicians offers individualised consultations before treatments such as herbal oil body massages, facial treatments and reflexology, carried out across seven treatment rooms. Guests may also enrol in a seven- to fourteen-day rejuvenation programme, or continue their care at home by purchasing Ayurvedic oils and powders from the on-site Ayurvedic shop.

Excursions and Nature

The grounds of Amaya Lake are themselves an adventure. Forest paths wind through the property, tall trees invite climbing, and a tree house offers a vantage point over the landscape. The daily rhythms of the village-style hotel — staff picking vegetables, milking cows, a lone flute player guarding crops in the night — give guests an unhurried glimpse of Sri Lankan rural life.

Further afield, the hotel organises daytime jungle treks and elephant safaris, night safaris to Minneriya or Kawudulla, mountain biking and hiking through the countryside, boat rides on the lake, bullock cart tours of local villages and birdwatching along the river. A variety of nature trails around the hotel ensure that every walk reveals something new.