Saraii Village (Weerawila).

Saraii Village is a charming set of tree-houses and mud chalets near Hambantota. They also make an excellent rice and curry. Probably the best place to stay in the area.

Saraii Village is a small hotel with simple, traditional accommodation and amazing rice and curry sourced from local markets. We say simple in the best possible way. It’s a treat to sleep in a tree house, dine under tons of stars, explore nearby Yala and enjoy amazing locally sourced food. Too many Sri Lankan hotels try to copy western standards of architecture and food and end up looking really shabby compared to the natural beauty around them. Saraii works with the local environment, supplementing it just enough to be comfortable. It’s a great experience.

From the hotel you can see the stars so well that the Milky Way is visible

The Location

Saraii is in Weerawila, near Hambantota Town and the new Mattala Airport. The highlights nearby are Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, and the sorta ghost town that is Hambantota. With the new airport Saraii is a 40 minute flight from Colombo, though you’ll probably spend another 3 hours doing airport stuff. They arrange for pickups from the airport or even from Katunayake.

The Hambantota region has amazing wildlife and is an interesting place to travel around in general. It’s generally flat, has amazing roads and makes for some beautiful views. Just north of the hotel, for example, there’s a road which cuts right through the middle of a lake.

In terms of tourist infrastructure, however, there’s nothing really. There’s no strip, no real restaurants and definitely no shopping. You’ll be spending most of your time in the hotel or in the wild.

The Hotel

Saraii Village is just four rooms right now, two mud chalets and two tree houses. They’re expanding, but for now that’s it, which is nice, as you get pretty reliable attention from the staff. The biggest tree house ($112, around Rs. 15,000) can hold up to eight people and the other one ($85, around Rs. 11,500) about four. The mud chalets ($79, around Rs. 10,500) are probably more comfortable as doubles. If you’re with a group it’s pretty affordable.

The tree house accommodation is basically platforms built into a tree with mattresses and mosquito netting. Taking the ladder up is not easy, but once you’re up there it’s quite safe. Beyond that you’ve got all the necessaries for a modern hotel – lights, plug points and a fan. The mattresses are basic and the sheets are somewhat absurdly tiny, but the experience is great overall. Just keep the mosquito net closed and you can have a very nice night, listening to peacocks and hearing birds call in the morning.

A mud chalet sounds less desirable, but it’s actually kinda a relief over climbing into a tree every time you forget your sunglasses. This is a simple and more traditional room, definitely better for old people.

There is one bathroom for the whole hotel as far as I can tell There are three bathrooms (on the ground, not in the trees) and it’s different but nice. They’re not ensuite but since there are so few rooms it’s quite private. The restroom is a fenced enclosure without a door but with a do not disturb sign you can string across the entrance. The structure curves in and the actual bathroom area is covered in blinds. It’s a good toilet, good water pressure but there are frogs literally in the toilet sometimes. It’s a nice bathroom besides.

The Food

This place does spot on Sri Lankan food from great local ingredients. We had Lake Prawn from the lagoon nearby for dinner ($15, Rs. 2,000) and it was the largest prawn we’ve ever seen. Actually looked like a lobster. Their string hopper breakfast ($7, Rs. 930) has excellent purippu, pol sambol and chicken curry. The usual lunch ($12, Rs. 1,600) has a wide range of fresh vegetables and whatever local meats are available. A veg meal is $10.

The food is excellent but, as you can see, expensive. This is comparable to a meal at Nuga Gama, which ain’t cheap. The food is generally pretty amazing though, we’d say it’s worth it.

Activities

Saraii Village is not an ideal honeymoon destination as, you know, there’s not overmuch privacy. It is, however, good for couples in general and seems to be the most value for groups. From there we asked for a Yala safari and a jeep arrived at 2 PM on the dot. That vehicle, which cost Rs. 6,000, would be quite economical for a group of six or more. That gives you a good four hours of spotting crocodiles and wild boar and deer in Yala. The Bundala National Park also has an exceptional habitation of birds and the religious location Kataragama is about an hour away.

Our favorite activity remained simply looking at the stars from the hotel itself. There’s very little light pollution and you can see the cloudy band of the milky way. Truly a wonder.

Conclusion

Saraii Village is an authentic and satisfying travel experience. It’s not a five star hotel and it’s not trying to be, it takes the best of local culture and highlights and polishes it, something we really appreciate. It does all this at a price, but it’s still not out of reach for locals. If you travel with a group it’s quite affordable on a room basis, though the meals can be a bit steep. If you combine it with a trip to nearby Mattala Airport, it could be quite an interesting jaunt.

Rates

OFF-SEASON (February – October)

UNIT Room Only Bed And Breakfast Half Board Full Board
Mud Chalet (Two Units) $79 $93 $108 $128
Tree House (The Nest) $112 $126 $141 $161
Tree House (The Crib) $85 $99 $114 $134

SEASON (November- April)

UNIT Room Only  Bed And Breakfast  Half Board  Full Board
Mud Chalet (Two Units) $90 $104 $119 $139
Tree House (The Nest) $130 $144 $159 $179
Tree House (The Crib) $100 $114 $129 $149
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Iftar delights at The Banyan, Heritance Negombo

Iftar delights at The Banyan, Heritance Negombo Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Mad Dogs Bodega, Banyan

Highlights Kamu

Budget-friendly Iftar spots 2024

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, In our previous article, we highlighted some exquisite and upscale Iftar

Highlights Kamu

Iftar Buffet Round Up 2024

Written by Fathima Rukaiya As Ramadan arrives, a warm feeling of reflection and community fills

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Pasta Paradise: The Pasta Factory, Galle Fort

In the historic Galle Fort, The Pasta Factory brings a taste of Italy to Sri

Highlights Kamu

A Home for Desi Dreams – Bombay Nights by Radisson Colombo

As we stepped into the ‘Dine’ in Radisson Colombo, our senses were immediately tantalized by

Highlights Kamu

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

Trending.

Experience the Elegance and Excitement of RTC Tourism Race Day in Nuwara Eliya

RTC Nuwara Eliya will hold its RTC Tourism Race Day on 30th March 2024 at

Trending

“85th Annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim” by SLASU held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel Beach

The "85th Annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim" organized by Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union

Trending

Sheraton Colombo Hotel celebrates International Women’s Day with empowering insights

Sheraton Colombo Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, marked International

Trending

Anantara Kalutara Presents an Elevated Gastronomic Journey to Italy

Kalutara, Sri Lanka - March 14, 2024 - Anantara Kalutara Resort is delighted to announce

Trending

List of Party Venues 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Finding the perfect place to host a party can be a hassle.

Highlights Trending

LCY Unveils Debut ‘LCY for Her’ Collection, Redefining Women’s Polo Wear with Strength, and Sophistication

Thursday, 14, March, 2024, Colombo: LCY, a brand synonymous with manufacturing high-quality men’s polos of

Trending

Yamu Guide.

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Him

By Fathima Rukaiya Are you trying to find the perfect way to show your special

Highlights Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Her

Written by Fathima Rukaiya The season of love is upon us once more, and opinions

Highlights Yamu Guide

Romantic Dinner and High Tea date spots for Valentine’s Day  2024

Written by Shamrina C 1. Via Torino Indulge in a fine dining exclusive 3-Course meal

Highlights Yamu Guide

BYOB Bliss: 16 Places to you can Bring Your Own Bottle!

Written by Shamrina C 1. Giovannis Indulge in Italian flavors, grooving music, pet friendly, and

Highlights Yamu Guide

Unveiling Ramada’s Festive Christmas High Tea Extravaganza!

Written by Shamrina C Mark your calendars for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December,

Highlights Yamu Guide