This spectacular natural coastal glamping resorts is the first Luxury glamping tent in Sri Lanka. The landscape and tradition of the tent are continuously intertwined in the design. This 36-tent camp on the edge of Yala National Park in southern Sri Lanka welcomed its first guests in November 2017.

The glamping tents are integrated into the natural environment, and the base is surrounded by dry forests that blend with the rugged sandy coast overlooking the Indian Ocean. The tent designer hopes that visitors will have an intimate experience of Yala, using the flora, fauna and culture of the area to have a minimal impact on the surrounding landscape. Local influence is especially important, from local traditions and materials to the community all have an impact on the design.

The project was commissioned by Resplendent Ceylon, a subsidiary of Dilmah Tea, whose unique resort provides curious travelers with various experiences related to Sri Lanka’s history, culture and nature. Glamping resorts are formed naturally in the landscape of Yarra, macroscopically like round boulders scattered in the park, and microscopically like termite mounds.
To adapt to the human scale, the main tent of the camp looks like pebble-like pavilions gathered together organically at both ends of the site. The large open volume intersects the small closed dome, providing a more private function. The welcome area at the entrance of the restaurant and library is a winding natural landscape, linearly arranged with clusters of cocoon-like tension membrane structures.

Each group of eco tents overlooks a water hole like a leopard paw print, used to attract wild animals. The spa starts from the waterfront. From a distance, these large buildings seem to be very sturdy, but closer and closer you will find that they are a woven grid-like bamboo structure made of recycled teak. Huge arched openings and high arched ceilings create a strong sense of space. Existing vegetation is preserved to ensure an authentic experience of the landscape, as well as attractive water-saving spiked plants and elegant rock balance sculptures provided by Adrian Gray.

The focus of the building is the exterior of the boulder, while the interior features the treasure hidden in the veins of caves, crystals and precious minerals. A sense of discovery, adventure and fascinating can be captured here, combining ecological luxury with local advantages.
Highlights of the tent hotel design include the swimming pool flowing in the restaurant and bar, bright lights like the night sky, a shiny copper leaf tree hanging from the restaurant’s 10-meter-high bamboo dome, seating installations and bamboo branches that emphasize the main space Chandeliers, etc.