Uga Ghiri

Nestled within the grounds of Ella's historic Sutherland Estate, Uga Ghiri comprises 15 standalone villas with a luxurious yet contemporary design alongside a meticulously restored colonial-era manor — which serves as the property's main house and culinary destination — an infinity pool, and a state-of-the-art spa. A private haven surrounded by sweeping panoramas of Ella's emerald tea plantations, rolling hills and world-famous Nine Arch Bridge, the all-inclusive property offers world-class dining, healing wellness treatments and endless activities both on property and in the surrounding central highlands.

Location

Uga Ghiri unfolds across 11 lush acres of terraced hillside in the mountain hamlet of Ella, offering sweeping views across the tea-carpeted valleys and distant misty peaks beyond. An area of Sri Lanka's famous central highland region that has captivated generations of travellers with its dramatic landscape and timeless charm, Ella sits at the crossroads of some of the island's most celebrated attractions. Little Adam's Peak is accessible by foot, while Ella Rock and Ravana Falls promise a rewarding adventure for those wishing to venture further afield. The surrounding countryside is a tapestry of working tea estates, where the art of Ceylon tea-making continues — its methods unchanged for centuries.

Guests of Uga Ghiri will enjoy a front-row view of the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, the world-famous brick-and-stone viaduct completed in 1919. From the property, guests can watch the daily rhythm of mountain trains gliding across the rails, framed by jungle canopy and an endless patchwork of green beyond.

The journey to Ella — whether via the famed train route from Kandy or by winding mountain passage — is as much an experience as the stay itself, during which travellers can soak up some of Sri Lanka's most breathtaking terrain.

Accommodation and Resort Services

Uga Ghiri offers 15 luxurious standalone villas, each featuring a contemporary and elegant design blended with subtle nods to Sri Lanka's artistic heritage. Comprising a bedroom, separate living area and en-suite bathroom with bathtub, walk-in shower and his-and-hers vanity, each villa offers 1,200 square feet of pure sanctuary. Expansive windows frame the dramatic landscape outside, where a private hot tub and outdoor deck beckon those in search of ultimate relaxation.

The artfully restored colonial-era manor serves as the resort's main house, providing ample space for guests to unwind, including an impressive library and a drawing room complete with roaring fireplace for cooler nights. When it comes to dining, guests will enjoy Uga Ghiri's signature elevated all-inclusive offering, with an indoor-outdoor restaurant providing a sophisticated setting in which to savour Sri Lanka's abundant flavours. Uga Ghiri's sleek bar is in Sutherland House, adjacent to the drawing room and library, where guests can sip, savour and relax in style.

Beyond Sutherland House, a 15-metre infinity pool offers the perfect vantage point for soaking up the resplendent scenery, alongside a well-stocked pool bar serving guests' favourite tipples all day long. Meanwhile, the Spa at Uga Ghiri provides a haven of restoration where ancient Balinese wellness traditions meet highland serenity. Two treatment rooms — one double, one single — frame sublime views of Ella's dramatic peaks, while a sauna and steam room complete the journey towards complete tranquillity and renewal.

Design

Uga Ghiri's design is a true marriage of the dramatic landscape of Sri Lanka's central highlands and the heritage of the historic Sutherland Estate. Colombo-based PWA Architects, with Philip Weeraratne and Gayan Karunaratne leading the architectural scope, were responsible for the design of the villas, restoration of the main house, landscape design, infinity pool and spa building. Taking the working tea plantation itself as their starting point, the architects adopted a deliberately restrained approach, positioning buildings around the existing contours of the land to maximise privacy and long mountain views while minimising disruption to the estate. Textured, earth-toned plaster walls are juxtaposed with steel and glass, while deep overhangs, shaded transitional spaces and carefully controlled glazing respond naturally to Ella's cool, misty hill-country climate.

The architectural approach is deliberately rooted, restrained and immersive, allowing the surrounding landscape to take precedence. Buildings have been positioned to frame mountain views and maintain a light footprint on the existing terrain, while the arrival experience has been designed to unfold gradually through the tea estate, immersing guests in the sounds and scents of the surrounding landscape.

The interiors were conceived by Sri Lankan interior designer and spatial architect Yasasi Hettiarachchi, Founder of YH Interior Design Studio, whose scope encompassed the villa and bathroom interiors, complete interior design and conceptualisation of the main house, and the spa interiors. Rather than follow the traditional tea-bungalow aesthetic commonly associated with Sri Lanka's hill country, Hettiarachchi sought to reinterpret the region's history through a more contemporary lens. The main house evokes the grandeur and European elegance of a bygone era, balancing historical character with modern comfort, while the villas take a lighter approach inspired by Scandinavian design principles, using natural light and panoramic views to strengthen the connection between indoors and the surrounding landscape.

Throughout the interiors, this contemporary style is layered with distinctly Sri Lankan craftsmanship. Handloom and Beeralu textiles, cane weaving and traditional Laaksha lacquer work bring colour, texture and regional identity to the spaces, while locally produced furniture, artwork and decorative pieces celebrate Sri Lankan makers and craftspeople. Natural light and materials including timber, glass, steel and recycled fabrics also form an important part of the design approach.

Dining

Dining at Uga Ghiri is an integral part of the resort's elevated all-inclusive experience, celebrating Sri Lanka's rich culinary heritage through contemporary interpretations of familiar island flavours. Served from the indoor-outdoor restaurant within the restored main house, menus draw on local ingredients, hill-country produce and traditional recipes, balancing distinctly Sri Lankan dishes with international favourites.

Breakfast ranges from lighter options incorporating ingredients such as king coconut, kithul treacle and locally grown fruit to an extensive Sri Lankan offering of kiribath, hoppers, string hoppers, pol roti and roast paan, served with a choice of fragrant curries and homemade sambols. Savoury highlights include the Uga Ghiri Signature Poached Eggs, served on a curry-leaf English muffin with seeni sambol and a hill-country vegetable cutlet, while sweet dishes put a highland spin on breakfast classics, from Coconut and Jaggery Pancakes with Nuwara Eliya strawberries to Sri Lankan Date and Banana Cake French Toast.

Come evening, the menu continues to place Sri Lankan flavour at its heart. A 'Taste of Sri Lanka' selection includes a comforting Hill Country Mutton Hot Pot, inspired by traditional Sri Lankan mutton soup and served with local roast paan, alongside the Chef Signature Kottu, an elevated interpretation of the island's much-loved street-food staple. Elsewhere, dishes such as Coconut Crusted Lake Fish with curried pumpkin and local red-rice kiribath sit alongside more international options, while desserts celebrate ingredients including coconut, jaggery, banana and chai spices. A dedicated vegetarian menu offers its own interpretation of local flavours, including a traditional Rice & Curry Experience and a Chef's Signature Vegetable Kottu, while a separate Young Traveller Menu caters to younger guests.

At the bar, the sense of place continues with a collection of cocktails showcasing Ceylon Arrack and local ingredients. Signatures include the Sutherland Sour, combining Arrack with fresh lime and kithul syrup, and Planter's Smoke, made with smoked Arrack and cinnamon syrup, while botanical creations and alcohol-free serves take inspiration from the surrounding highlands, tea country and iconic Nine Arch Bridge.

Activities

Uga Ghiri provides an idyllic base from which to immerse in the rhythms, landscapes and traditions of Sri Lanka's hill country. Included within the resort's all-inclusive offering, the Artisanal Tea Experience traces the journey of Ceylon tea from leaf to cup, taking guests through a working tea estate and factory before culminating in a curated tasting of specially selected teas and an introduction to the craftsmanship behind one of Sri Lanka's most enduring traditions.

Those wishing to explore the landscape on foot can set out directly from Uga Ghiri on a gently paced Hike Through Tea Country ($91+ per couple) along Stage 16 of the Pekoe Trail, following estate tracks and quiet footpaths through the Modera and Newburgh tea estates. Covering approximately eight kilometres over two-and-a-half to three hours, the route winds between working tea fields, shaded forest paths and sweeping valley views, with glimpses of the iconic Nine Arch Bridge along the way. Alternatively, The Path of Sacred Shrines ($97+ per couple) offers a slower, more contemplative journey through the surrounding plantations, following paths walked by local communities for generations and passing small Hindu shrines nestled between the tea bushes. Accompanied by a naturalist, guests can learn more about estate life, local beliefs and the traditions that continue to shape the highlands.

For those seeking more adventure, The Namunukula Descent ($227+ per couple) offers an exhilarating one-way cycling experience from the higher elevations of Namunukula back towards Ella. Spanning approximately 15 kilometres, the route follows quiet estate roads and rural lanes through the eastern reaches of the hill country, making the most of the natural drop in altitude as riders descend through the ever-changing highland landscape.

Back at the resort, guests can unwind at the Spa at Uga Ghiri, where a curated menu of restorative treatments draws on Asian and Ayurvedic wellness traditions alongside ingredients synonymous with Sri Lanka, including green tea and coconut. Signature experiences include the Sri Lankan Healing ritual ($115 for 120 minutes), combining a fresh coconut body scrub, coconut hair mask and full-body massage, and the Uga Ghiri Retreat Treatment ($140 for 120 minutes), a two-hour couples' ritual inspired by the revitalising qualities of green tea.

Uga Journeys

For guests looking to discover more of the island, Uga Journeys can curate a multi-stop Sri Lankan escape combining stays across the Uga collection with immersive experiences along the way. The Tea, Wildlife & Tides itinerary offers a 10-night journey through four distinct landscapes, beginning with an overnight stay at Uga Riva in Negombo, before three nights amid the misty tea country of Uga Ghiri in Ella, three nights on safari at Uga Chena Huts in Yala, and a final three nights beside the Indian Ocean at Uga Prāva in Tangalle.

Travelling with a private chauffeur guide, guests can experience everything from artisanal Ceylon tea and hiking in Ella to game drives in Yala National Park, a Sri Lankan cooking masterclass and bush walk, before slowing the pace on the south coast with a sunset boat journey through Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary and optional surfing, snorkelling and cultural excursions.

Uga Ghiri is the latest property in the Uga Resorts collection and joins Uga Prāva in Galle, Uga Ulagalla in Anuradhapura, Uga Chena Huts in Yala, Uga Riva in Negombo, Uga Halloowella in Hatton, Jungle Beach an Uga Experience in Trincomalee and The Bay an Uga Experience in Pasikuda.