Tranquil Wilds

The lake and natural surroundings were a lovely part of this cozy stay. We spent three nights here as a couple with our 1.5-year-old. The rooms were decent and the food was really nice. We booked our park trips through the hotel, and they were well arranged with comfortable safari jeeps. A boat trip across the lake early in the morning or later in the evening is worth considering too.

Block 6 is my favourite part of Yala, with the entrance right across the road. We had it nearly to ourselves all day, unlike the other blocks where you can end up in a line of five jeeps. The animals still run from the vehicles there, and the lakes and forests are beautiful. On one day I saw three packs and a lone elephant, five kinds of eagle, jackals, mongoose, wild boar, crocs, the national bird, turtles, plus far too many little colourful birds and big stork-like ones to list. I came to Tranquil Wild for six nights because I needed a break after having lived in Sri Lanka for three years a decade ago. I wanted a change of pace without being bored or going to a yoga retreat. The hotel has a large plot with just six rooms, a tree hut above the lake, a huge bayan tree, and a pool where you can watch monkeys moving between trees. The lake is part of local life: people fish, bathe their zebu, and gather lotus for the temple. Four or five people earn a living from it, alongside the farmers who use it for irrigation. On Sundays children play volleyball by the water, and couples take photos among the flowers. Anne runs the place as a social business, giving work to people who might otherwise struggle to find it. I went out on the lake by boat and learned why people eat from the flower leaves: their surface makes water bead up and roll away. A short tuk-tuk ride away, I visited the local Ayurvedic doctor twice and learned more about village life. The doctor also acts as coroner and issues death certificates. Sri Lanka has serious problems with drinking and domestic violence, and there is still much to do. Ask the kitchen for Sri Lankan food. The cook, a single mother of three, made wonderful traditional meals and used her phone to explain what they were and how to cook them. I also enjoyed a lakeside fire with Anne and her friend, who were both very accommodating. The village’s history makes trips such as the local market interesting too. If that kind of stay is what you want, you can trust Anne.

We went out on safari in the morning, returned for lunch and a swim, then headed back out in the evening. Dinner was delicious each night, and the hotel could take care of laundry and sell cold water. It’s a gorgeous place with a pool, and we could see lots of monkeys and peacocks from our room.

I felt relaxed and welcome from the minute I arrived at Tranquil Wild Boutique Hotel. The peaceful setting is beautifully designed and has a real boutique feel, with nature close by. My room was clean, comfortable and nicely decorated, with all the small details taken care of. I especially liked how calm it was. The owner and staff were warm, attentive and always happy to help with a genuine smile. The food was fresh and delicious, and I enjoyed every meal. It’s a lovely place to unwind and spend time in nature while getting a personal boutique experience. I’ll definitely come back.