Wild Grass

Wild Grass Nature Resort: A Jungle Retreat in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Heartland

Tucked deep within Sri Lanka’s storied Cultural Triangle — a region rich in ancient kingdoms and sacred sites — Wild Grass Nature Resort offers a rare combination: total immersion in nature with the comforts of a private villa stay. Just over two hours from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport and a short drive from the UNESCO treasures of Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple, this secluded eco-retreat feels like a world apart.

Set within 25 acres of unfenced forestland, the resort is an invitation to slow down and tune in to your surroundings. You’ll share the land with monkeys, wild boar, deer, peacocks and more than 40 species of birds. On occasion, even an elephant may wander quietly through. The villas — just eight in total, each tucked into a natural jungle clearing — are made for quiet retreat. Built with minimal impact on the land, they are designed to preserve the undergrowth and honour the ancient forest that shelters them.

Each villa is a world of its own, crafted from glass, stone and reclaimed timber, with open-air rain showers and generous interiors flooded with natural light. From bed, you can watch the morning mist rise through the trees or catch the flicker of a hornbill passing by. Some villas are split over two levels, others suited to families or couples travelling together, but all share a common promise: privacy, stillness, and the sound of the wild as your constant companion.

Stays at Wild Grass are offered on a bed and breakfast basis, with traditional Sri Lankan or Western breakfasts served high in the treetops. Lunches and dinners can be enjoyed at your leisure at Treetops, the open-air restaurant set above the forest floor, where the breeze drifts in and views stretch across the lake and tree canopy. Menus feature time-honoured local dishes and lighter international options, prepared with care using ingredients grown on site or sourced from surrounding village gardens.

For something especially memorable, opt for a candlelit dinner or afternoon tea on the rock — a private dining spot with panoramic views over Dambulla, Kandalama reservoir, and the endless green of the Cultural Triangle. It’s a moment of calm, cast high above the forest, with nothing but birdsong and soft mountain air for company.

At the heart of the resort is a gentle commitment to sustainability. From solar-powered lighting and clay-tiled roofs to paper-wrapped soaps and waste-free kitchens, every detail is considered. Guests are even invited to plant a tree — a quiet gesture of balance and belonging.

Though it feels wonderfully remote, Wild Grass is ideally placed for adventure. From here, you’re just 15 minutes from Sigiriya’s iconic Lion Rock and the ancient frescoes of the Dambulla Cave Temple. Day trips to Minneriya or Eco Park bring you into elephant country, while those drawn to gentler rhythms can explore cinnamon estates, visit lakeside temples, or simply spend slow hours watching peacocks fan their feathers in the garden.

Whether you arrive seeking connection, quiet, or a place to recalibrate, Wild Grass offers a rare kind of stillness — the kind that lodges deep in the memory. Run with care and heart by a local family, it is a place that feels not manufactured, but discovered. This is Sri Lanka in its purest form: untamed, unfiltered, and quietly unforgettable.

Many of our guests travel to Sri Lanka as part of a wider journey, taking in multiple regions to experience the island’s extraordinary diversity. Wild Grass Boutique Hotel is often just one stop on a much broader tailor-made itinerary. To explore how this hotel might fit into your own bespoke journey, visit the ‘Tailor-Made Itineraries’ tab or get in touch — we’d be delighted to help you make the most of your time on this vast and varied island.