This year visitors to the Cultural Triangle, Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Pidurangala Rock Temple will be able to stay at a brand new four star hotel, Aliya Resort & Spa in Sigiriya.

Named after the beloved elephant or ‘aliya’ in the Sinhala language, this brand new 96 roomed hotel has brought an investment of 1.4 billion rupees ($7.8 million) to the Cultural Triangle. Aliya Resort and Spa Ceremoniously opened by Chief Guest Hon. Basil Rajapakse, Minister of Economic Development in the presence of Hon. Sarath Ekanayake, Chief Minister of the Central Province, Mr. Bhashwara Gunarathna Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism, Mr. Rumy Jauffer Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Dr.D.S Jayaweera Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Aliya Resort & Spa Chairman/Managing Director Mr.Chandra Wickramasinghe and several Tourism industry stake holders.

Aliya Resort & Spa consists of 68 Deluxe rooms, 8 Deluxe rooms with Attics, 2 suites and 18 luxury tents.

Aliya Resort & Spa Chairman/Managing Director and veteran hotelier Chandra Wickramasinghe said, ‘Aliya Resort & Spa is a fusion of many things old and new. It feels cutting-edge, exciting and fun. But we also want to give anyone who stays here a true feeling of village life in Sri Lanka; after all we are right in the middle of a rural area and village. So although it is very contemporary, Aliya Resort blends in with the Sigiriya Villages and the simple carefree lifestyle of the people who live here.’

‘The luxury tents, although a new concept in the local hospitality industry has been a huge success since our soft opening. The feel of ‘living in the middle of the jungle’, yet within the safety and luxury of modern conveniences is truly a unique adventure’, explained Wickramasinghe.

Although set in a traditional village, the design concept follows minimalist guidelines. The décor is a twist of stark white walls and antique doors and colourful relics of the past. Large open spaces, are a symmetrical delight, yet interspaced with genuine antiques that have been sourced from the area by Wickramasinghe himself. The architecture successfully links the interior to the exterior landscapes; floor to ceiling windows throughout and what seems like miles of airy open areas.

Other facilities of the Resort & Spa also include a state-of-the-art Conference Hall and Meeting Rooms, a well equipped gym, two pools, an Ayurveda Spa with in-house doctor for personalized treatments, three restaurants, a bar and coffee shop, a nightclub and karaoke club and an indoor badminton court.

Aliya’s lounge and bar ‘Migara’ is spectacular by day or night with a 180 panoramic view. ‘Makara’, brings the orient to life with its tantalizing Chinese cuisine. ‘Nagula’, is a specialty restaurant, which borders the Paddy Museum and has a mouthwatering repertoire of local dishes.