Luxury hotel holiday Aliya Resort and Spa Sigiriya

The Aliya Resort and Spa in Sigiriya is named after 'Aliya,' the Sri Lankan elephant. Much of its charm and character comes from its dedication to this theme, from the small figurines that adorn the bar, to the vast and captivating elephant paintings that enliven the white-washed walls, to the wide square swimming pool that appears as a mirage or watering hole in the midst of the rocky plains of the Cultural Triangle. The Aliya Resort and Spa is an attractive luxury addition to any Sri Lankan touring holiday as it offers an insight into a region that is dominated by stunning history and culture.
Included in your Expressions holiday
  • Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
  • Scheduled flights with Sri Lankan Airlines
  • Transport by private car with driver-guide
  • Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
  • Optional room, board and flight upgrades. Details on request

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya

Aliya Resort and Spa is a luxury 4-star hotel with a stunning natural location among grassy plains with views of Lion Rock. Contemporary, chic design, excellent dining facilities and an Ayurvedic spa afford guests a serene experience.

Facts in brief

Official star rating 4

Location In the countryside, 11 miles north of Dambulla

Closest airport Bandaranaike International Airport

Distance from airport 92 miles

Hotel facilities and services

4 restaurants, Ayur Vie Spa, Gym, Badminton courts, Night club, Swimming pool and deck.

Complimentary

WIFI.

Land sports

Badminton.

Out and about nearby

The Aliya Resort and Spa organises excursions to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, to the Minneriya National Park, to the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Ruins, and to the Kaudulla National Park. The city of Anuradhapura was, like Polonnaruwa, once part of the Golden Age of Sinhalese civilisation, and many of its monuments still stand, including monasteries, palaces, dagobas, and the sacred fig tree that was mythically brought from India in the 3rd century. Dambulla is home to a series of cave temples that are worth visiting due to their abundance of Buddhist sculpture and painting. Mihintale was the site at which Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. The atmospheric and chilling Ritigala forest monastery can also be visited.

Special offers for this holiday>

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe room for 7 nights

From about

£1,540

Holiday Code EXH1889

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya

Room descriptions

Aliya Resort and Spa has 96 rooms, including 18 tents, come equipped with air-conditioning, LCD television, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, safe, dressing area, and queen sized or twin beds. The 18 tents may come with fewer amenities.

Deluxe Room with balcony
Deluxe Twin Room with balcony
Deluxe Room with Attic with balcony, where attic has two single beds
Luxury Tent with wooden canopy and deckSuite with second double room, two dressing areas, two bathrooms, plunge pool and deck

Special offers for this holiday>

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe room for 7 nights

From about

£1,540

Holiday Code EXH1889

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya

The journey and how you get there

For a holiday to Aliya Resort and Spa in Sri Lanka, our clients fly to Colombo, usually with Sri Lankan Airways on a direct flight from London Heathrow (or with Emirates from other UK airports via Dubai). This hotel is 3 hours and 40 minutes' drive from Colombo airport and is usually stayed at as part of a tailor-made touring holiday accompanied by a driver-guide.

Additional information

Children: The deluxe rooms with attic and suites are well-suited to families travelling with children.

Special offers

Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe room for 7 nights

From about

£1,540

Holiday Code EXH1889

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya

Highlights of the Cultural Triangle

Sigiriya Rock Fortress; Dambulla Cave Temples; Polonnaruwa – ruins of the ancient capital; Anuradhapura – sacred city; Wildlife safari in Minneriya National Park (or Kaudulla National Park); Elephant rides/treks; Birdwatching on the ‘tanks’; Hot air balloon ride; Cycle ride – local village life; Ayurveda health treatments, massages, herbal steam beds and aromatic baths; Ritigala monastery ruins (walking required); Aukana Buddha; Mihintale; the story of Buddhism; the story of Ayurveda. Day trip or continue on to Kandy, visiting spice gardens, batik workshops, Temple of the Tooth, Kandy market, city centre, view from hills, workshops for woodcarving, brass and musical instruments.

Cultural highlights of the Cultural Triangle

Four of Sri Lanka's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in what is popularly known as the Cultural Triangle. Between them they tell a fascinating story of Sri Lanka’s civilisation. The 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress is one of Sri Lanka’s most awe-inspiring archaeological sites and its prime tourist attraction, well worth climbing to see the majestic views from the summit. Nearby are the Dambulla Cave Temples, each cave filled with murals and gilded statues depicting the life of the Buddha. The well-preserved ruins of Polonnaruwa, the 12th century capital, tell a story of Buddhism, royalty, kinship, war and power. Highlights are the Royal Palace, Council Chamber and four graceful Buddha statues of Gal Vihara. The ancient city of Anuradhapura is a vast archaeological site of palaces, monasteries, temples and dagobas, mostly in ruins, although some have been resorted. This was one of the grandest monastic cities that the world has ever seen. Other sights worth seeing are Mihintale Sanctuary, known as the ‘cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka’; Ritigala, ruins of a 9th century monastery hidden amongst dense forest; and Minneriya National Park, a park filled with wildlife including elephants, buffalo, wild boar and crocodiles.

Festivals in the Cultural Triangle

The Buddhist festivals: monthly on Poya (full moon) days, especially Vesak (May) and Poson (June). Poson marks the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahat Maha Mahinda, son of Asoka of India at Mihintale in 3rd century BC. July to October – the Elephant Gathering: during this season in the evenings, hundreds of wild elephants gather along the banks of the Minneriya Tank.

Climate in the Cultural Triangle

As the climate is very hot with an average temperature of 30° C, it is best to do sightseeing and activities in the early mornings and late afternoons, with time to relax at the hotel, eat or travel in air-conditioning at the height of the day. Average humidity is 60%, with very little rainfall most of the year - most of the rain falls between November and February when the North-east monsoon prevails.

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