Wild Coast Tented Lodge - Relais & Chateaux

Sometimes a hotel’s appeal is as simple as the sum of its parts. The Sri Lankan coast is an extraordinary place for a holiday, and the luxury-tent safari camps of southern Africa offer an unforgettable immersion in nature. Put the two together and you’ve got Wild Coast Tented Lodge, on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, sandwiched between a gorgeous beach and the utterly wild Yala National Park, home to elephants, leopards, monkeys, and much more.

Though the idea of a tented camp is a slightly retro one, Wild Coast engaged a group of contemporary architects, whose creations — called “cocoons” and “urchins,” the latter for kids — feel futuristic, or maybe retro-futuristic, right down to the copper basins and bathtubs. You’ll feel like an adventurer, albeit one for whom no comfort is too plush, including a spa and a stunning infinity pool.

The food and beverage program is a particular focus, owing perhaps to the fact that Wild Coast, along with sister hotels Cape Weligama and Ceylon Tea Trails, is owned by the Dilmah tea company. (The tea, needless to say, flows abundantly.) The centerpiece of the experience, though, remains the Lodge’s incredible array of curated experiences — rangers accompany guests on game drives and nature walks, a Junior Ranger program adapts the experience for kids, and bike tours, guided visits to ancient jungle monasteries, and Sri Lankan cooking classes ensure that the setting leaves its mark on every guest.