Do you have clients whose interest is piqued by Sri Lanka, but their budget doesn’t stretch to a Relais & Chateaux or a Small Luxury Hotel? Equally, they would rather avoid the Hiltons, Radissons and Movenpicks of this world. Ideally, they want something locally owned and full of character that will bring them closer to the country and its people. 

Well, help is at hand for agents, because Secrets of Ceylon Collection has entered the market, filling this accommodation gap with its boutique, four-star, value-led offering. Founded by experienced travel industry professional Jean-Marc Flambert, a Sri Lankan who splits his time between the country of his birth and the UK, the philosophy behind his collection is simple: “Buy local, employ locally, and enrich the community we exist in.”

In the past eight months, Secrets of Ceylon has hosted 19 travel agents in Sri Lanka, introducing them to the properties and the signature experiences they offer, which are included as part of the overnight package. It has also expanded its portfolio and added a new operator partner.

Agents can call Flambert directly to confirm availability and they can also book the properties through operators such as Travelpack, TranIndus, Experience Travel Group and Indus Experiences. 

Francesca Hardy, owner of Amida Travel, knew little about Sri Lanka until she visited with Secrets of Ceylon in May 2024. What stood out to her was the hotels’ individual charm and their “home-from-home vibe”.

Her experiences transformed her ability to sell the destination, which is reporting strong growth in arrivals from the UK: “I found everything so informative and enriching, and I left the country feeling confident about speaking to clients about my experiences,” she said.

Alicia Sharpe, owner of LuxEco Holidays (part of Travel Counsellors), was in a similar position before she visited in December 2024, with Secrets of Ceylon.

“I didn’t used to advertise Sri Lanka that much or promote on social media because I lacked confidence [about the destination],” she explained. 

Alicia said she felt like part of the family at nearly all the properties she stayed in. “They are not your typical run-of-the-mill properties, they’re special. The design and décor are so well thought out and well suited to each place. If you want to immerse yourself in a warm, welcoming, authentic experience then I would highly recommend them. 

“It was just lovely to sit and chat with the owners and hear them tell their stories. Often this was done accompanied by food and drink. Nothing about these stays felt transactional. I could have stayed longer at each one!”

Unique and boutique

Horathapola Coconut Estate was the first property that Alicia visited. “It was so interesting to learn facts about the coconut estate and the guided walk was fantastic. Dinner was delicious and consisted of a variety of dishes. It felt very peaceful. I have since booked clients to stay there and they described it as a highlight of their trip.” 

She also said that Idal Villa was a standout for a number of reasons, not least its spectacular setting. “Dharshi and Dharshana are such wonderful hosts. It is wonderful to see them employing local villagers to provide jobs close to home.” 

“The sunrise was magical,” she continued. “And I did not mind the prayer/chant from the local village that woke me at 5am. It was all part of the experience!” 

Also, while staying at this property, Alicia took a train ride from Idalgashinna station into a stunning rural area for a guided walk, a cookery demonstration and a meal with villagers, which she described as “really quite special”.

Francesca was given a sneak preview of the lakeside Peacock Hill, which will be the 13th property for Secrets of Ceylon. “What a treat guests are in for when this hotel opens in August – it has a wonderful ambiance,” she said. “This luxurious, rustic property has an infinity pool, lush grounds and beautiful views – I even spied Sigiriya Rock at sunset!” 

A memorable banquet for Francesca was provided by boutique hotel, Hapu Tales. This newly renovated property is located high in the mountains with stunning, sweeping views over a valley. “The owner created an authentic Thaal dining experience for us”, she explained. “We sampled all the wonderful flavours of this unique cuisine (which was different to all curries we had already tried). It was an incredibly welcoming experience and so interesting to learn about the different sweet and savoury dishes and the associated customs.”

A responsible safari

Both agents said that jungle tented camp Kulu Safaris was a highlight of their trip. Alice remarked upon the clean, air-conditioned, modern tents, and she loved the long table set by the lake for breakfast: “Kulu was great in every way,” she said. “The guides were knowledgeable, educated and passionate about conservation. We went off the beaten track so we didn’t join a dozen other vehicles chasing animals, which is a detriment to the park and lessens a visitor’s experience.” 

Francesca described it as a very immersive stay: “You eat a delicious dinner under the stars by the lake, you drift off to sleep listening to the sounds of the jungle and can wake up early to kayak on the lake,” she said. “It was one of the most profound and humbling experiences, seeing a leopard up close.”