Uga Resorts, Sri Lanka’s celebrated boutique luxury hotel group, has announced the upcoming opening of its eighth property, Uga Ghiri, set to welcome guests in June 2026 in the heart of the island’s central highlands. Located within the historic Sutherland Estate in Ella, Uga Ghiri promises a refined escape surrounded by sweeping views of tea-covered hills, misty mountain peaks and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks, the Nine Arch Bridge.
Spanning 10 lush acres of terraced hillside, Uga Ghiri is designed as a private sanctuary that blends contemporary luxury with the timeless charm of the hill country. The all-inclusive resort will feature 15 standalone villas, each offering 1,200 square feet of elegantly designed living space. Every villa includes a bedroom, separate living area and a spacious en-suite bathroom with a bathtub, walk-in shower and his-and-hers vanity, while expansive windows frame the dramatic landscape outside. Guests can also unwind on their private outdoor deck, complete with a hot tub overlooking Ella’s emerald valleys.
At the heart of the property lies a meticulously restored colonial-era manor, which will serve as the resort’s main house and culinary centre. This elegant space offers a welcoming library, a drawing room with a fireplace for cool highland evenings, and an indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar where guests can enjoy Uga Ghiri’s elevated all-inclusive dining concept, showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich and diverse flavours. A 15-metre infinity pool and pool bar provide the perfect setting to relax while taking in uninterrupted mountain views.
Wellness is central to the Uga Ghiri experience. The resort’s spa will combine ancient Balinese healing traditions with the serenity of the hill country. Featuring two treatment rooms with panoramic views, along with a sauna and steam room, the spa is designed to offer deep restoration and tranquillity amid Ella’s dramatic natural surroundings.
Uga Ghiri also serves as an ideal base for discovering the cultural and natural wonders of Sri Lanka’s highlands. Guests will be able to walk to Little Adam’s Peak, explore Ella Rock and Ravana Falls, cycle through tea estates and villages, or experience the famed train journey through the mountains. On-property experiences include artisanal tea journeys from leaf to cup, Ceylon arrack tastings, Sri Lankan cooking masterclasses and guided conservation walks as part of Uga’s ‘Rewild the Hills’ initiative, which supports biodiversity documentation and habitat restoration, including butterfly and dragonfly breeding projects.
With front-row views of the Nine Arch Bridge, guests can watch the daily passage of trains gliding through the jungle canopy, a reminder of the region’s enduring charm and rhythm of life. Whether arriving by the scenic train route from Kandy or by winding mountain roads, the journey to Ella is an experience in itself, offering some of Sri Lanka’s most breath-taking landscapes.
Uga Ghiri will join the distinguished Uga Resorts portfolio, which includes Uga Prāva in Galle, Uga Ulagalla in Anuradhapura, Uga Jungle Beach in Trincomalee, Uga Bay in Pasikuda, Uga Chena Huts in Yala, Uga Riva in Negombo and Uga Halloowella in Hatton. Nightly rates at Uga Ghiri will start from USD 1,200 (GBP 899*) per villa on an all-inclusive basis. For more information and reservations, visit www.ugaresorts.com.
