Tourism Breaking News
Maitland & Knox Heritage Hotels, the homegrown luxury boutique chain behind Galle Fort Hotel, Thotalagala, and The Warden’s House, has officially rebranded as Island Life – Sri Lanka.
This is among the biggest rebranding exercises carried out by a Sri Lankan group in recent years. This new name and identity reflect a new, experience-led approach to homegrown hospitality. The specialised boutique hotel chain now pegs itself as ‘the custodians of the perfect Sri Lankan experience.’
The new brand logo of Island Life – Sri Lanka captures the soul of the island—where a wave echoes coastal calm and a peak evokes the wild highlands. Together, they reflect the rhythm of serenity and adventure, inviting guests to experience Sri Lanka’s story through every stay.
With Island Life – Sri Lanka, the group begins a new chapter rooted in storytelling, sustainability, and soul. At its core is a promise: to our guests more than just a stay—an opportunity to feel Sri Lanka, move with its rhythm, embrace its culture, and connect with its people. Guided by a philosophy of fulfilment through action, every stay is thoughtfully designed to go beyond comfort — shaped in curated experiences, personalisation, and authentic connection. From cultural encounters and locally inspired design to meaningful moments through art, heritage and service, we ensure each guest feels fully immersed in the essence of the island.
Island Life – Sri Lanka now includes three iconic properties
- Thotalagala (Haputale): A restored 19th-century tea planter’s bungalow nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, offering heritage charm, quiet luxury, and meaningful interactions. Thotalagala features 7 suites complementing gourmet experiences, guided walks, an Insta-viral infinity pool and Sri Lanka’s best high tea.
- Galle Fort Hotel (Galle): The iconic heritage property located in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, featuring 11 rooms, a stunning collection of artefacts and housing the Ropewalk bar, voted by Conde Nast Traveller among Sri Lanka’s best bars.
- The Warden’s House (Galge, Yala Block 5): The group’s newest offering, a boutique four-room luxe safari lodge with a private waterfront by the Menik River offering experiential, all-inclusive stays, where guests engage with nature, wildlife, and local culture—from safaris in Yala to visiting the famous sacred kataragma temple, to dodol and curd-making with villagers by the Menik River.
As part of the new chapter, Island Life – Sri Lanka welcomes two new destinations into its fold: Hiriketiya and Kandy.
With its new identity, Island Life introduces a concept-driven approach to boutique hospitality:
- Sanctuary: Carefully designed spaces for rest, healing, and reflection—featuring heritage architecture, local art, and sensory experiences.
- Adventure: Curated activities that blend exploration with education—from birdwatching and cycling to conservation walks and cooking classes.
- Memories: Personalised moments that last—shared meals, meaningful stories, and handmade keepsakes that reflect each journey.
- Indulgence: Culinary experiences that celebrate Sri Lankan flavours, from elegant dining to rustic, village-style feasts.
- Responsibility: A firm focus on community upliftment, environmental stewardship, and sustainability woven through every experience.
Guests staying at Island Life – Sri Lanka properties can now enjoy thoughtfully designed branded merchandise such as hiking socks and scarves at Thotalagala, flipflops and a tote bag at Galle Fort Hotel and a safari hat and water bottle at The Warden’s House—each tailored to the spirit of the property, serving as tangible reminders of the experience long after the stay ends. Most importantly, Island Life – Sri Lanka brings together diverse regions of the island under one brand—allowing guests to explore multiple destinations through a single, seamless journey, all with the consistency of curated luxury at every stop.
Amrit Rajaratnam, Founder and Managing Director, Island Life – Sri Lanka, comments, “With Island Life as our new identity, we are witnessing the biggest rebranding and transformation phases that a Sri Lankan homegrown boutique chain has seen in recent times. We are thrilled to now evolve into a lifestyle brand that prioritises experiences and curation. While our iconic properties like Galle Fort Hotel, Thotalagala and The Warden’s House will continue to be at the core of the Island Life experience, our philosophy will now shift towards itineraries that are more immersive and experiential. And this will only get stronger with the announcement of our two new destinations—Hiriketiya and Kandy.”
Shayan Kannangara, Chief Operating Officer, Island Life – Sri Lanka, adds, “Travellers to Sri Lanka can now essentially book a tour through Sri Lanka’s different regions under one parent group, Island Life, and easily shuttle between properties to enjoy a consistent experience, thereby making planning a Sri Lanka itinerary much easier. From Galle’s beaches and architecture to Yala’s game drives and finally Haputhale’s plantation bungalow culture, the itinerary is immersive.”
