Sri Lanka’s east coast has long been a well-kept secret among in-the-know travelers — a stretch of coastline where turquoise water meets mangrove forest and ancient port towns, largely untouched by the crowds of the island’s southern beaches. Now, Uga Resorts, the Sri Lankan hospitality group celebrated for its intimate, design-forward properties, is giving two of its east coast hotels a fresh identity designed to bring that coastline to a wider range of travelers.
The group has introduced a new sub-brand, “an Uga Experience,” under which its two largest properties — formerly known as Uga Bay and Uga Jungle Beach — will now operate as The Bay an Uga Experience and Jungle Beach an Uga Experience , respectively.
Uga has built its reputation on small-scale, deeply personal luxury stays. The new collection takes a different approach. Rather than the boutique intimacy the brand is known for, “an Uga Experience” properties are larger, full-service resorts built for travelers who want both comfort and a home base for exploring the destination around them — think families, groups, and anyone who wants resort-style ease without giving up a genuine sense of place.
Speaking on the rebrand, Uga Resorts Owner and Managing Director Priyanjith Weerasooria described it as a way to give travelers two distinct, equally compelling paths into the country: the immersive, destination-led energy of the new Experience properties, and the quiet exclusivity of Uga’s original boutique collection.
Set along three kilometers of what’s widely regarded as Sri Lanka’s best beach, The Bay an Uga Experience offers 48 contemporary rooms and suites with direct beach access, an underground spa, seaside dining, and a full menu of water sports — all in Pasikuda, on the island’s eastern edge.
Further north in Trincomalee, Jungle Beach an Uga Experience sits on a fifteen-acre reserve where jungle, lagoon, and a four-kilometer stretch of secluded beach converge. Its 49 cabins serve as a base for exploring the little-visited town of Kuchchaveli, with village bike tours and a Trinco City Tour through ancient temples and historic sites nearby. The surrounding waters are also considered one of Sri Lanka’s premier spots for whale watching, with sightings of blue whales, sperm whales, dolphins, and sea turtles common in the region.
Both properties sit within a region that’s increasingly on the radar for international travelers. The east coast’s high season runs from May through September, when calm seas, golden beaches, and clear skies create ideal conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and diving — including trips to the coral reefs off Pigeon Island.
Importantly, the rebrand only affects these two properties. Uga’s original boutique portfolio — Uga Chena Huts, Uga Ulagalla, Uga Halloowella, Uga Präva, and Uga Riva, along with the soon-to-open Uga Ghiri in Ella — will continue operating under the core Uga name, preserving the brand’s signature small-scale, highly personalized style of travel.
Whichever collection travelers choose, Uga says the throughline remains the same: authenticity, sustainability, and a genuine connection to Sri Lanka’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities.
For more information, visit ugaresorts.com .
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