Browns Hotels & Resorts won five awards at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026 in the Maldives: two Gold and three Silver, each for a different property. The results show how broad the group’s Sri Lankan portfolio has become, covering heritage, wellness, all-inclusive, beach and boutique hospitality.
The group won both of its Gold awards inland. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort was named South Asia’s Best New Hotel, a strong result for the group’s newest property in a category that draws entries from across the region. The resort, led by General Manager Gangadara Velasamy, is a restored tea factory dating from 1903. Its original architecture has been kept and modern comforts added. Factory tours and immersive tea experiences set it apart, and the resort runs fully paperless, using digital systems to work more efficiently and sustainably. It also sits close to some of Ella’s busiest attractions, including Ella Rock, Little Adam’s Peak and the Pekoe Trail.
Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort in Sigiriya won Gold as South Asia’s Leading Wellness Resort. The 44-acre resort is led by General Manager Sujeewa de Zoysa and built around the philosophy The Art of Living Well. It has 22 suites with private plunge pools, two of them Presidential Suites. Its wellness programmes are personalised and led by a resident doctor, covering yoga, meditation, sound healing and treatments at the Ayuwasa Wellness Centre, along with the Beheth Oruwa, a traditional medicinal boat. Dining takes in lakeside, rock-top and tree-hut settings, plus a restaurant overlooking Sigiriya Rock.
The three Silver awards went to the group’s coastal properties. Club Hotel Dolphin in Negombo, led by General Manager Manoj Perera, was named South Asia’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort for the third consecutive time, which confirms its strength in the family holiday market. The Eden in Beruwala, under Cluster General Manager Rohan Gamage, won South Asia’s Leading Beach Resort for the second year running. The five-star resort sits on the Golden Mile and offers beach dining and watersports. Lantern Boutique Hotel by Reveal the Collection in Mirissa, led by General Manager Sharmen Perera, was named South Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel for its intimate, design-led stays.
Eksath Wijeratne, Director/Chief Executive Officer of Browns Hotels & Resorts, said the range of the recognition is what made it meaningful: “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.”
SATA was founded in 2016 and marked its 10th anniversary this year. Browns Hotels & Resorts continues to expand across Sri Lanka. Its focus is on moving into new destinations, remodelling existing properties, developing its dining concepts and pursuing sustainability-led initiatives.
