Is Sri Lanka the new Bali? Possibly. Standing on the southern coast, looking out over tangled palms and an ocean that doesn’t seem to end, it’s hard not to draw comparisons. I don’t love pitting one destination against another, but there are parallels. Sri Lanka has the beauty, the forestry, the surf and the serenity—just without the brunch queues and Instagram itineraries. It still feels raw, genuine, and blissfully unspoilt.
This was my second time on the island. My first visit was at Christmas in 2023, and like most travellers, I began in Colombo. It’s where the international airport is, and while it’s a functional entry point, it’s not the reason to visit Sri Lanka. The airport is an easy arrival, you can get VOA (visa on arrival) with cash or online before you land. The airport is pretty efficient, and we had our checked luggages and were out within 30 minutes. We used Kangaroo Cabs for the 2-hour drive south to Galle. This is a more expensive option than Uber or Pick Me, but it’s a reliable and safe choice.
Colombo is hot, frenetic and sprawling. I enjoyed dipping into the energy—spending a night in a hotel, briefly exploring Colombo’s modern wellness scene and stocking up on Ayurvedic medicine—but I was ready to leave after 24 hours. The real magic begins the moment you head out of the capital. I recommend that you visit Christell Wellness for vitamin IVs, Ayurvedic medicine, massages, facials, biohacking and more.
From Colombo, we travelled across to Ella, climbing steadily through tea-covered hills and across impossibly cinematic bridges. I stayed at a mountain retreat near Nine Arches Bridge, hiked Little Adam’s Peak, swam in waterfalls, and let the greenness of it all undo weeks of city stress. Ella is a place I’d return to in a heartbeat—fresh air, dramatic views, and a slowness that recalibrates your system. After that, we made our way south: surfing in Weligama, and the famously chaotic New Year’s Eve beach rave in Mirissa, whale watching off the coast, and finally, the quiet shores of Hikkaduwa for slower mornings, yoga classes and strong coffee. There were juicy mangoes sold from roadside stalls, grilled seafood eaten with bare hands, and beach bars where the sunset calmed our souls. One of the most surprising things was the range of accommodation: we bounced from five-star resorts for around USD 100 a night to genuinely lovely family-run hostels for as little as USD 20 to 35. Some of the best conversations I had were over shared breakfasts in garden courtyards or around long communal tables under the stars. You could spend very little here and you’d be completely content.
A Return in Rainy Season
Now, I am returning to Sri Lanka in the rainy season (May). I am here for work and so I have no control over the days we travel. The weather shifts constantly—glorious sun one hour, rolling thunderstorms the next. But somehow, everything is more vivid: the light sharper, the air heavier with scent, the sea moodier. I love tropical storms and dramatic rain, so, all good. I based myself at the Aditya Boutique Hotel in Galle, where we hosted clients for a series of campaigns and photoshoots.
I lived in Hong Kong for over a decade, and one of the great privileges of that time was how easily you could escape for the weekend. Tokyo, Bangkok, Hanoi, Bali, Singapore — all within easy reach. I travelled often for business, family, and for retreats, and I never took it for granted. Now that I live in London, I miss Asia. There’s an intensity, a vibrancy, and an openness I haven’t found anywhere else. But also, a particular kind of weariness and fatigue. We’re all so busy. Whether you’re in Hong Kong or London, the rhythm is the same: running careers, raising families, holding it all together. So when I travel now, I’m looking for stillness and space to be inspired away from the crowds. That’s what Aditya gave me: rest, without performance. Space, without silence. A place to just be.
Why This Hotel Deserves the Hype
Aditya isn’t your usual boutique property. It’s more considered . The architecture leans into high ceilings, clean geometry, plants everywhere, and cool materials—polished stone, dark wood, and carved doors that feel like museum pieces. There are just 16 suites. Each one is huge, calm, private, and stylish without being try-hard. Think frangipani in bowls, high-thread-count sheets, and a private plunge pool facing the ocean.
Some suites face the garden; others give you uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean in all its moody glory. Either way, you’re steps from the beach. The kind of beach you might walk alone. No jetskis. No music. Just salt air, lush green trees and breeze.
The service is exactly what it should be: attentive, quiet, and human. It goes beyond your traditional greeting and the team will remember your name, your tea order, and the fact that you asked for a late breakfast yesterday. The whole thing just works.
It’s not surprising, then, that Aditya has a perfect five-star score on Tripadvisor, a Hall of Fame title, and top rankings from TripExpert and Conde Nast Johansens. But none of that really prepares you for the feeling you get when you arrive. Like someone’s taken the chaos out of your head and replaced it with peace.
Flights, Visas and Everything In Between
Getting to Aditya from Hong Kong is straightforward. A six-hour direct flight to Colombo with Cathay Pacific or SriLankan Airlines, followed by a two-hour drive south. You can choose from Uber, Pick Me or Kangaroo Cabs. Airfares usually sit between HKD 3,000 and 5,000 depending on the time of year. From London, there are easy, direct flights from London Heathrow.
A Country That Has Earned Its Calm
It would be disingenuous to talk about Sri Lanka without acknowledging its recent past. The 2004 tsunami devastated this region. Whole communities were lost. Since then, the country has weathered political instability, economic crisis and a global pandemic. And yet, what you notice most as a visitor is not the trauma but the grace.
People here are proud. Not performative. They’ll tell you about their food, their gardens, their temples—and yes, about the difficulties, too. But always without pity. That combination of strength and hospitality is something you can’t manufacture.
How to Do Absolutely Nothing (Perfectly)
I am here for work, and so my days are spent in meetings, campaign shoots or at the laptop. You can easily also do nothing, if you’d like. There’s no itinerary at Aditya. Breakfast happens when you want it to. Some days I ate pancakes and mango by the pool at noon. Other days I skipped it altogether and went straight for curry and coconut sambol at sunset. Everything is à la carte. No buffets. No timelines.
The hotel’s wellness centre, Christell Life, offers Ayurvedic treatments tailored to your dosha. Yes, it’s a bit Goop-adjacent in theory, but in practice it’s grounded, effective, and entirely unpretentious. The oils smell like fresh soil after rain. The therapists know what they’re doing.
A Boutique Hotel That Actually Gives Back
Aditya supports the Foundation of Goodness, a non-profit that began in response to the tsunami. Today, the organisation provides education, sport, healthcare and vocational training to more than 40,000 Sri Lankans. As a guest, you can visit, learn, or donate. But it’s not pushed on you. Like everything here, it’s offered with dignity.
Still Want to Explore? Here’s What’s Nearby
Galle Fort is 25 minutes away and worth the detour. The architecture is Portuguese-Dutch, the streets are cobbled, and the vibe is more Cape Town than Colombo. You’ll find boutiques that actually curate, cafes without QR code menus, and views that make you pause. Narigama Beach is nearby, and Ratgama Lake is worth an early morning.
But you don’t need any of it. One of the best things about this place is that you can stay entirely put and not feel like you’re missing out.
Go Now, Before Everyone Else Does
Sri Lanka isn’t overrun. Yet. The infrastructure is improving, but the soul is intact. It offers what so many destinations have lost in the rush to cater to Instagram.
The value for money is exceptional. The crowds are somewhere else. And for travellers in Hong Kong who want beauty without the theatre, this feels like a rare thing.
The Place That Changes Your Pace
Aditya doesn’t need to shout. It just lets you rest.
I’ve already booked a return.
And if you go? Don’t overplan. Don’t overthink. Just let Sri Lanka do what it does best: reset the pace. Quietly, and completely.
Thank you for reading this WOI Travel blog. Find out more about Aditya Hotel and Christell Wellness.
