One thing good about Covid was
that most of the hotels reduced their prices to promote locals to make more
bookings. I have a list of places I wanted to go, including hotels. Since Most
of the time I travel solo the prices they quote are ridiculously too high. But
the offers made it somewhat bearable and I got the maximum use of the offers
and visited some of the places I always wanted to go.
One such hotel was Uga Chena Huts
in Yala. It is bit different to ordinary hotels. They offer chalets and it is
in the boarder of Yala National Park. Each Chalet is with a plunge pool. They
offer it on Full Boars all inclusive basis (Which is inclusive of the
beverages) and half a day game drive. It goes as a luxury type of hotels and therefore it become automatically exclusive for some.
I booked a double room when I got
the offer not knowing who would join me. I asked from several people. No one
responded positively. Finally, a friend whom I have known before agreed to
come. It was a break we wanted to have from the strenuous work, and it was a
reunion after few years. We both were excited and was planning to have some
good time. He booked a vehicle with a driver, as both of us didn’t have one and
we went off towards Yala hoping to have a memorable day spend.
By the time we were to enter the
highway, the police stopped the vehicle fining the driver for not wearing the
seat belt (which he removed only to get the mask on). Luckily there was a post
office nearby, so we went back, paid the fine and entered the highway again.
It was a long drive for about three and half hours. Luckily, we had the highway otherwise we would have had to leave Colombo
early morning and would have spent half of the day just to travel to reach the
hotel. We were planning to reach the hotel for lunch. We reached the hotel by
about 2:30 p.m.
They provided the driver with
separate quarters, so we were not to worry about him. The welcome was warm. Our
luggage was put into a shuttle and we were taken into the reception by it. At
the reception we were given a welcome drink and there is a flag ceremony where
we can put a flag in world map and commemorate our arrival.
As it was all inclusive, we
wanted to taste a cocktail before we headed to lunch. We went to the bar. Had
some cocktails and went to lunch. From the time we came we were in a different
environment. One thing was that we were in Yala boarder. There was the beach
from one end, the jungle from the other end. And the architecture was very
open. The bar was open to the outside. You can sip a drink enjoying the breeze.
The restaurant had transparent glass so you can have a good view of the beach.
The reception was in open space. The paths to chalets were through tree cover
on wooden decks.
When we entered the Chalet, it
was as if we were entering a house. It was very spacious built for two. One
large king size bed. There was no separation of the bathroom and the bedroom.
All basic amenities were there. Everything in the mini bar was free. Plenty of
tea, coffee. A good television, good Wi-Fi. There was a shower separated from
the commode by a bathtub and two vanities with a good mirror. I immediately
fell in love with this. And a door opened into the plunge pool with a jacuzzi
which was built on a wooden deck. There was an open shower and some chairs. The
roof was thatched with a dried grass. This was open to outside, but you have
privacy as the chalets were separate from each other unless some monkeys want
to come and have a peek.
Even my friend loved this
setting. It was simple yet sophistic with all the basic needs. What I felt was
that having no separations made it really liberating to my free spirit. I guess
this best suit honeymooners or couples who do not mind seeing each other and
definitely not for those who feel shy and uncomfortable in front of others as
the concept does not support it.
Both of us were naked from the
time we went there. We emptied the wine bottles. Was enjoying the pool, the
jacuzzi and the outdoors. I told my friend that this was the set up at the
hotel, and I wanted to be naked, he agreed to it. He himself enjoyed that
freedom that relaxation even though he has not had some experience out in open
before.
The food was delicious. It was a
set menu. But the selections were well balanced. We spent most of the time in
the pool drinking and having a wonderful conversation. I guess we got to know
each other better during that stay. After another few rounds of cocktails, we
had a wonderful dinner enjoying the night breeze and went to bed as we were to
have a game drive early morning.
We had to leave the hotel by 6:30
a.m. So, we got up and got ready. We were put together with another Couple. We
had a good naturalist with us who gave us brief on Yala national park and tried
to show us whatever the different species of animals, birds we saw on the way.
We actually met the naturalist the following day who gave us the needed
instructions and what to expect on the following day. The hotel has packed a
good snack for us to have on the way. We could not see any leopards or bears
but it was a good drive early in the morning.
We were not disappointed for not
having been able to see any big animals as we came to enjoy the hotel. So, we
had a good breakfast after the drive. It was a bit sunny by the time we
finished the breakfast. I went to the beach (although it was not the best time
but there was no choice as we had to check out by 2 p.m.). Therefore, I had a
quick walk in the beach, took some photographs and headed towards the chalet to
enjoy the last few hours as much as possible in the pool and the bathtub with
some more wine.
The general manager met us twice
during the stay and ensured that we are having a good time and made us feel
welcomed. When the time was near, we had to do the packing (which was hardly
any) and bade farewell to the hotel. On our way to the entrance in the shuttle
as we were moving away from the reception my heart was heavy with sorrow as I
knew that one day alone would not have be sufficient to experience Uga Chena
hut. But the cost factor was something that did not allowed me to have a longer
experience.
Most of you will not be able to
afford the cost or may not want to spend that much of money on this. I agree
with you. But for someone Iike me who is ready to spend on a different
experience, I believe it was worth every rupee that I spent. It was special for
many reasons. One it being Uga Chena Huts, somewhere that I always wanted to
go, the next is that I was able to spend some time freely, the lifestyle I
wanted to have, the next is that a good friend accompanied me (he still keeps
thanking me for taking him), the other is that it was closer to nature. Of
course, then the food, the hospitality, the unlimited drinks. I guess for all
these it was not a waste of money.
I could give Uga Chena Huts 8 out
of 10 as a rating. If you have some money that you don’t mind spending, I do
recommend going to Uga and have experience this. You will not regret it. Look
out for some good offers specially if you have credit cards, and if possible
try to stay for a minimum of two days to experience that ambience, the freedom
and the hospitality.
The visit to Chena Huts was another
tick on the list of hotels I wanted to visit.
The place, the atmosphere, the
freedom and whom you are the ingredients of a good experience. At Chena Huts I
got the best combination of these thus resulting in another memorable
experience.
Thank you for reading. Hope you
enjoy and hope you can feel the same vibe I had it through the words and maybe
much more from the pictures.
Until I meet you again.
Cheers
