Jetwing Vil Uyana and Jetwing Lagoon win fresh accolades

Jetwing Vil Uyana has won three TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards under the Top 20 Luxury Hotels in Sri Lanka, Top 25 Small Hotels in Sri Lanka and Top 25 Hotels for Service in Sri Lanka and being the highest rated hotel for Sri Lanka on the Kiwi Collection, and Jetwing Lagoon was chosen as the latest member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Jetwing Vil Uyana certainly deserves such recognition, being a favourite for many from all around the globe. The charming eco-resort was first opened in 2006, on possibly the world’s first manmade wetland for such a purpose.

24 dwellings in four distinct habitats – water, forest, paddy and marsh along with two standard rooms were constructed on a 25 acre plot of land with each being tucked away in seclusion and offering the finest in luxury and privacy. The undertaking was a huge gamble, with much to lose and yet has paid off in spades in the years past, with reputed publications such as Harper’s Bazaar referring to it as the best eco-luxury hotel in the island.

According to TripAdvisor, the world’s largest independent travel site, Jetwing Vil Uyana is ranked number one in the Sigiriya region, with many reviewers commenting on the serenity and element of being close to nature – a sentiment repeated recently by Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton.

In addition, the property has been given a rating of 90 by Kiwi Collection which makes it the highest rated hotel for Sri Lanka. Kiwi Collection happens to be the world’s largest and most diverse curated collection of luxury hotels, with every hotel personally reviewed and rated by travel experts – being conducted regularly without regard for brand, size or affiliation. This makes the Kiwi Collection extremely valuable to consumers, and has been described as ‘Kiwi Collection is to luxury hotels what the Michelin Guide is to restaurants’ by Forbes.com.     

    The Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) brand is an unrivalled portfolio of some of the world’s finest small luxury independent hotels. Comprising over 520 hotels in more than 70 countries, the diversity of the individual hotels, and the experiences that they offer, is exceptional.

From cutting-edge design hotels to palatial 17th century mansions, city centre sanctuaries to remote private islands, historic country houses to idyllic resorts – the breadth and depth of the brand is far reaching. At present, there are only seven SLH member hotels in Sri Lanka, with four being Jetwing properties.

Jetwing Lagoon, Thalahena is now a part of this prestigious portfolio, a well deserved achievement which resonates with the property’s history and status of being the island’s first resort, as well as the first resort design by legendary architect Geoffrey Bawa. Known formerly as the Blue Lagoon, Jetwing began developing the property in late 2010 and unveiled Jetwing Lagoon in 2012, expanded to 55 rooms and featuring a 100 metre pool and spa.

Hiran Cooray, Chairman of Jetwing praised the dedication and commitment shown by the associates of both properties, and commented:

“Throughout the 40 years we have been in this industry, we have come to be known not only for wonderful architecture or great food, but for the experience and service we offer – that of true, traditional Sri Lankan hospitality.

We all look forward to the years to come, and to deliver that experience to more and more visitors from all over the world.”