Hilton Yala Resort Celebrates Sri Lanka’s Wilderness With Luxe Global Awards Recognition

Hilton Yala Resort Celebrates Sri Lanka’s Wilderness With Luxe Global Awards Recognition

Hilton Yala Resort recognised as Best Luxury Safari Experience in Sri Lanka and Best Luxury Sustainable Resort in Asia

YALA, SRI LANKA – October 2026 – Hilton Yala Resort has been recognised at the LUXE Global Awards, receiving two distinguished accolades: Best Luxury Safari Experience in Sri Lanka and Best Luxury Sustainable Resort in Asia. The recognition celebrates the resort’s distinctive approach to luxury hospitality, bringing together immersive wildlife experiences, thoughtful design and a deep connection to one of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable natural environments.

Set against the wilderness bordering the renowned Yala National Park, Hilton Yala Resort offers travellers an opportunity to discover the extraordinary biodiversity and landscapes of Sri Lanka’s southern region while experiencing the comfort and service of a contemporary luxury retreat. Its location provides a natural gateway to safari adventures and meaningful encounters with the destination’s wildlife and ecosystems.

The resort’s connection with its surroundings extends throughout the guest journey. Architecture and design draw inspiration from the colours, textures and character of Yala, while spacious accommodation, private outdoor areas, curated dining experiences, wellness offerings and nature-led activities allow guests to experience the destination beyond the traditional safari.

The recognition as Best Luxury Safari Experience in Sri Lanka reflects an experience shaped not only by the wilderness itself, but by the people who interpret it for guests. Hilton Yala Resort’s resident ranger team includes guides qualified through the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) and CyberTracker, bringing internationally recognised field-guiding and tracking expertise into the resort’s wildlife experiences.

The resort’s ranger team and experiential activities are led by Sajith Withanage, Head Ranger at Hilton Yala Resort, whose approach places interpretation, responsible wildlife viewing and a deeper understanding of Yala’s ecosystems at the heart of the guest experience. From tracking and safari interpretation to nature-led activities within and around the resort, the team encourages guests to look beyond individual wildlife sightings and understand the wider landscape and its natural rhythms.

Sustainability is equally integral to the resort’s philosophy. The title of Best Luxury Sustainable Resort in Asia acknowledges its commitment to a more considered approach to hospitality — one that seeks to deliver memorable guest experiences while respecting the environment and destination in which it operates.

Commenting on the recognition, Sanoj Perera, Director of Marketing & Communication at Hilton Yala Resort, said:

“For me, what makes these recognitions particularly special is that they celebrate two things that are inseparable from who we are at Hilton Yala Resort — our wilderness and the responsibility we have towards it. Yala gives us an extraordinary stage, but it is the knowledge and passion of our team, particularly our rangers, that transforms a wildlife encounter into something guests can genuinely learn from and remember. Being recognised for both our safari experience in Sri Lanka and sustainable luxury across Asia encourages us to continue raising the bar, not only for Hilton Yala, but for how Sri Lanka’s wildlife experiences can be presented to the world.”

Together, the two accolades reinforce Hilton Yala Resort’s positioning as a destination where luxury and wilderness exist in harmony. From setting out into Yala in search of its remarkable wildlife to returning to the tranquillity of the resort, the experience is designed to offer travellers a deeper and more considered way to discover Sri Lanka’s natural heritage.

The LUXE Global Awards celebrate outstanding hotels, resorts, spas and restaurants around the world, recognising excellence across the luxury hospitality sector. Winners are determined through an annual public voting process, complemented by independent evaluation and international recognition for selected major award categories.

Looking Ahead: Investing in the Future of Sri Lankan Field Guiding

Looking ahead, Hilton Yala Resort is working towards the Field Guides Association of Sri Lanka (FGASL), an initiative intended to contribute to the continued development and professionalisation of field guiding within Sri Lanka.

Building on the international knowledge and qualifications already represented within Hilton Yala Resort’s ranger team through FGASA and CyberTracker, the initiative reflects a broader ambition to support knowledge sharing, professional development and high standards of nature interpretation within Sri Lanka.

For future guests, this continued investment in guiding expertise will translate into increasingly immersive and educational ways to experience Yala — experiences that go beyond observing wildlife to understanding animal behaviour, tracking, habitats, conservation and the interconnected ecosystems that make the region so extraordinary.

For Hilton Yala Resort, the latest honours therefore represent more than recognition of what has already been achieved. They provide further momentum for what comes next: deepening the resort’s wildlife expertise, investing in its people and helping create experiences that inspire travellers to understand, appreciate and protect Sri Lanka’s remarkable natural heritage.

For more information and reservations, guests may contact Hilton Yala Resort via email at KDWYA_Safari@hilton.com or WhatsApp on +94 74 3911 892.

Hilton Yala Resort is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 24 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.

For more information or to make reservations, please visit Hilton Yala Resort or call +94 47 255 5555. 

Read more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com.

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

For over a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the globe, connecting people, cultures and communities. Offering striking design and vibrant communal spaces—from buzzing lobbies to lively bars, best-in-class restaurants, and iconic event venues— Hilton Hotels & Resorts is the place to see and be seen in the world’s most sought-after destinations. With more than 600 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts is where the world comes together, and travelers are masterfully hosted with expertise and care.  Experience a legendary stay at Hilton Hotels & Resorts by booking at hiltonhotels.com or through the industry leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com/hhr, and follow the brand on Facebook, X and Instagram.  

About Hilton Yala Resort

Hilton Yala Resort is a luxurious 5-star full-service resort located on the southern edge of Sri Lanka, adjacent to the iconic Yala National Park and overlooking the Indian Ocean. With 42 stylish guest accommodations—including rooms, suites and private pool-villas—the resort marries sophisticated design with the immersive wilderness of the surrounding landscape.  

Managed by Hilton Hotels & Resorts and owned by Wild Beach Resorts (Pvt) Ltd, Hilton Yala offers three dining venues, a spa, a fitness centre and a programme of curated experiences including guided safaris, bush walks and coastal excursions.

Designed with both comfort and sustainability in mind, the resort features expansive greenery, large windows that frame the natural surroundings, and a setting that encourages guests to engage with Sri Lanka’s rich wildlife heritage.

Whether travellers seek adventure, wildlife encounters or serene luxury, Hilton Yala Resort provides a distinctive getaway where nature meets refined hospitality.

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