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Rainforest Edge - Sinharaja Rainforest, Sri Lanka

Sustainability Scorecard

Environmental Footprint
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Community Connection
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Architectural Conservation
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From $125 USD per person per night including all meals
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Good For You

Located on the top of a mountain with panoramic views of the Sinharaja Rain Forest stands Rainforest Edge, a boutique eco retreat that allows guests to commune with Mother Nature without sacrificing their creature comforts.

Ancient traditions and modern amenities blend seamlessly here. Each of the seven spacious rooms has its own private balcony, ensuite bathroom and stylish decor yet are not equipped with televisions or telephones to allow guests to enjoy a more carefree and laidback lifestyle away from the trappings of contemporary living.

The dining room is chic and elegant and only serves Sri Lankan food in keeping with its surroundings. There is a modern spa that offers traditional Ayurvedic massages and a gorgeous hill-top infinity pool. At the heart of the resort stands the breezy Ambalama (an ancient resting place for travellers) which serves as the social hub for guests as well as some delicious local snacks.

Good For Sri Lanka

Rainforest Edge was the first eco lodge to be built in the area. In addition to being a key employer (around 90% of the staff come from neighbouring villages), the resort works hard to ensure that the local villages benefit from tourism.

Most of the day to day supplies for the resort are bought locally and around 20% of their net profit goes directly towards community projects; the kindergarten in the local village is fully financed by the hotel.

The hotel has a very active eco policy; they grow their own organic fruit and vegetables, minimise the use of plastic and non bio-degradable items, use biodegradable soaps, detergents and shampoos and have an active recycling policy.

Highs

The location: The Sinharaja Rainforest is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site and is brimming with incredible flora and fauna.

The infinity pool: The setting upon a hill top with majestic views of the rainforest is truly magical.

The atmosphere: This place is so laid back that you'll be tempted to throw away your return air fare and stay forever.

Lows

The nightlife: There isn't any, this place is all about maximising your rest and relaxation time.

Rooms

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Each of the seven spacious ensuite rooms has its own private balcony with panoramic views over the tropical rainforest mountains. The rooms are eco-friendly and use a combination of solar energy and mains electricity lanterns (lamps with kerosene), and guests are given the choice of using the electric light bulb or the lantern. Showers are heated using solar panels and because of the higher altitude, the rooms are naturally cool thereby eliminating the need for air conditioning.

The furniture and decor is quirky and stylish - beds are constructed from lumps of wood and covered with colourful throws. Rooms are not equipped with televisions or telephones.

Food

The resort has an open-air restaurant under a thatched roof overlooking the lush vegetation, which offers traditional Sri Lankan cuisine prepared from fresh organic produce.

The menu is simple but tasty and the fruit and vegetable are all grown in the Rainforest Edge organic farm, without any pesticides or chemical manure. Sri Lankan cookery lessons and demonstrations conducted by the villagers are regularly held.

The Ambalama (snack house) is open from 7am to 6pm for 'Kevili' (Sri Lankan snacks), herbal drinks, tropical fresh fruits & juices, tea and coffee

Special dietary requirements can be accommodated upon request.

Features & Facilities

  • Infinity swimming pool
  • Ayurvedic Centre
  • Restaurant
  • Ensuite bathrooms
  • Room service
  • Kayaking
  • Cave tours
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Child friendly

Local Info & Activities

The UNESCO world heritage-listed Sinharaja Forest Reserve is simply stunning. Home to 22 of Sri Lanka's unique bird species and unique flora and fauna (of the island's 25 unique tree groups, 13 are found here), it's a haven for ornithologists and naturalists alike. An in-house naturalist will take guests on either a jeep or walking safari through the rainforest.

At the lodge itself there is an indoor spa, natural water swimming pool, room service and Ayurvedic treatments to ensure that guests are thoroughly pampered.

The lodge also offers ethno-botanical tours where guests get to learn and experience the culture and lifestyle of the local people.

Other activities on offer at the resort include kayaking, mountain biking, jungle trekking, nature trails and cave tours.

INSIDER TIP/S

If you're planning on exploring the rainforest and nearby waterfalls be wary of the leeches; leech socks and solution are a must! It's also worth bringing mosquito repellent and some decent hiking / walking shoes.

The dry months are usually August, January and February. April to May is the time to come for an abundance of colourful flowers and birds.

Remember, mobile phones do not always work here.

Sustainability

Rainforest Edge was the first eco lodge to be built in the area. In addition to being a key employer (around 90% of the staff come from neighbouring villages), the resort works hard to ensure that the local villages benefit from tourism. This includes providing hospitality training to staff and interns.

Most of the day to day supplies for the resort are bought locally and around 20% of their net profit goes directly towards community projects; the kindergarten in the local village is fully financed by the hotel.

Local materials and tradesmen were used when constructing the resort.

The hotel practices the following environmental policy:

  • The resort has it's own organic fruit and vegetable gardens/li]
  • Supplies and raw materials are bought locally where possible
  • The use of plastic and non bio-degradable items is minimised
  • All soaps, detergents, shampoos are biodegradable
  • Black and grey waters are treated appropriately
  • Papers are reused & recycled
  • Plastic, glass and metal is packed and flown to the city for recycling
  • Water heaters are powered by solar energy
  • Sewage goes through a three-step drainage process

Getting There

170 Km from Colombo International Airport & 10 minutes drive to Sinharaja tropical rain forest, set in a pollution free, tropical atmosphere is the uniqueness of the location.
 

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

Rooms $125.00 per person per night including all meals.

  • Rates are in US Dollars ($) and are per person per night based on two people sharing
  • Single occupancy will be charged at $43 per night
  • Rates include three meals a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner), tropical fresh fruits and juices, herbal drinks, tea & coffee, and snacks.
  • Children aged under 5 can stay free of charge, children aged 5-12 will be charged 50% of the adult rate when sharing with parents.

booking & cancellation policy

A 20% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm the reservation.

Cancellation less than 14 days prior to arrival will incur a fee of one nights accommodation.

 

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.

 
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