Browns Hotels and Resorts triumphs at South Asian Travel Awards 2026

From left: Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort General Manager Gangadaran Velasamy, Browns Hotels and Resorts , Director/CEO Eksath Wijeratne, Cluster General Manager- Thaala Bentota and The Eden Beruwala Rohan Gamage, and Club Hotel Dolphin General Manager Manoj Perera

Browns Hotels and Resorts has secured five prestigious accolades at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, held in the Maldives, earning two Gold and three Silver awards across five properties in its portfolio. 

The achievement celebrates the group’s diverse hospitality offering, spanning Sri Lanka’s tea heritage, luxury wellness, all-inclusive holidays, beachfront resorts and boutique experiences, strengthening its presence on the international tourism stage.

Leading the Gold wins, Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort clinched South Asia’s Best New Hotel, while Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort secured South Asia’s Leading Wellness Resort.

As the newest addition to the Browns Hotels and Resorts portfolio, Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, under the leadership of General Manager Gangadara Velasamy, is a former tea factory dating back to 1903, transformed into a contemporary hospitality experience. This significant achievement, places the property among the region’s leading new hospitality offerings and recognises its unique identity in a competitive field of hotels from across Asia.

Its historic architecture and considered design preserve the character of the original factory while introducing modern comforts. The tea factory tour and immersive tea experiences set Newburgh Ella apart as a one-of-a-kind experience in Asia. The property also operates as a fully paperless hotel, embracing digital solutions across its operations to enhance efficiency and support more sustainable hospitality practices.

The experience extends beyond the property into the surrounding landscapes of Ella, with access to renowned attractions and trails, including Ella Rock, Little Adam’s Peak and the Pekoe Trail.

Winning Gold at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026 as South Asia’s Leading Wellness Resort, Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort in Sigiriya, led by General Manager Sujeewa de Zoysa, offers a considered approach to luxury wellness. Set across 44 acres in Sigiriya, the resort combines personalised wellbeing with Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and abundant wildlife, including opportunities for elephant spotting.

Guided by its philosophy, The Art of Living Well, Ayugiri features 22 suites with private plunge pools, including two Presidential Suites. Its wellness experiences include personalised programmes, yoga, meditation, sound healing and treatments at the Ayuwasa Wellness Centre, complemented by the Beheth Oruwa, a traditional medicinal boat, and a resident doctor-led approach to wellbeing.

The experience extends to dining, with international gourmet cuisine and authentic local flavours served in memorable settings, from lakeside locations to a rock-top setting, tree hut and a restaurant with the view of the Sigiriya rock.

At Club Hotel Dolphin in Negombo, General Manager Manoj Perera and his team clinched South Asia’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort for the third consecutive time, reinforcing the property’s established reputation for energetic, experience-led family holidays, with an extensive range of dining, leisure and entertainment activities for guests of all ages.

Cluster General Manager Rohan Gamage and the team at The Eden Beruwala secured the Silver award for South Asia’s Leading Beach Resort for the second consecutive time. Located along Sri Lanka’s renowned Golden Mile, this five-star beachfront resort combines coastal surroundings with varied dining experiences, including beach dining, alongside a range of watersports and leisure activities.

Lantern Boutique Hotel by Reveal the Collection, part of Browns Hotels and Resorts, clinched the Silver award for South Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel, celebrating its approach to boutique hospitality. Led by General Manager Sharmen Perera, the property is located in Mirissa and offers an intimate, design-led stay shaped by its coastal surroundings.

Browns Hotels and Resorts Director/Chief Executive Officer Eksath Wijeratne said: “What makes this achievement particularly meaningful for Browns Hotels and Resorts is the diversity of the recognition. Each property has its own identity, purpose and guest proposition, yet all share the same commitment to delivering memorable and elevated experiences and showcasing the best of Sri Lankan hospitality. These accolades belong to the people behind every guest experience, whose dedication and passion make the difference every day. We look forward to welcoming more travellers to discover our properties, experience Sri Lanka in different ways and create stories of their own.”