Location Highlights

Giritale Wewa, the reservoir below the hotel, is one of many ancient irrigation tanks built by Sinhalese kings to store water for rice cultivation. Its calm surface reflects the surrounding forest, and fishermen work from small boats at dawn. Walking down to the shore early in the morning reveals herons, kingfishers and eagles.

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, around fifteen minutes away, was the royal capital of Sri Lanka in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The Royal Palace ruins, the Vatadage with its circular shrine, the Hatadage and the Lankatilaka temple show the sophistication of medieval Sinhalese architecture. Renting a bicycle at the entrance is a pleasant way to explore the large site.

Gal Vihara, at the northern end of the ancient city, features four magnificent Buddha statues carved into a single granite rock face, including a reclining Buddha over fourteen metres long. It is one of the masterpieces of Sri Lankan art. Shoes must be removed and modest dress is required.

Minneriya National Park, close to the hotel, is famous for the elephant gathering, when hundreds of elephants congregate around the reservoir during the dry season, usually from July to October. Jeep safaris leave in the afternoon, when elephants come to graze and drink. Kaudulla National Park nearby offers an alternative when herds move.

Sigiriya, about an hour away, is the famous rock fortress with frescoes and lion paws at the entrance to the summit palace. Dambulla's cave temples are about an hour and a half away. Both combine well in a day trip from Giritale.

The Ayurvedic spa at the hotel offers massages, herbal baths and treatments based on traditional Sri Lankan medicine. After a day in the sun, a treatment is relaxing and authentic.

For food, the region produces rice, curd and kithul treacle, and freshwater fish from the reservoirs. Roadside stalls sell buffalo curd in clay pots, delicious with palm syrup.