I love Sri Lanka. And since I’ve been to the Maldives each of the past 5 years, it’s been easy to visit, as the capital Colombo is less than 500 miles away. There is no such thing as bad Sri Lankan food and I even go out of my way to stop for Sri Lankan when flying out of New York JFK.
I was back in Colombo earlier this year, and I’d go back in a heartbeat but want to spend more time outside the capital than I have so far.
One of my readers will get the chance before I will because I’m giving away a stay at MAYA Sri Lanka.
In fact I’m giving away 5 nights in a suite at the property including:
- Sri Lankan dinner for 2
- Massages for 2
- Cooking class for 2
The hotel is a 3 hour drive from Colombo, or a 35 minute air taxi from there. It’s a true boutique and exclusive property with just 5 suites. Here’s the Luxury Travel Diary review of the hotel.
The property seems to get perfect reviews and has received a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ from TripAdvisor.
Pro tip: MAYA Sri Lanka is a Mr. and Mrs. Smith boutique hotel and is just up the road from Amanwella. Lovers of luxury travel know what that means. Grab a taxi super cheap and spend an evening or two drinking cocktails around the pool at Amanwella.
This is a very special giveaway, thanks to my good friends at Luxury Travel Diary. Regular readers know them as a high-end travel blog with great reviews. They’re based in the UK and run travel auctions with real bargains.
As I’ve said before, folks who already know about these auctions don’t like this added attention, because there don’t seem to be enough bidders for many of their best offerings relative to the value available. Some of their items go way too cheap.
- Here are their auctions. The auctions in Asia are super deals.
- Here are their auctions in North America for those who prefer to stay on this continent.
- And here are the auctions ending soon which are probably the best to check out right now – to get an idea of just how good a deal you’re likely to get.
Seriously, these deals about to end are insane
This prize is being given away by the hotel and Luxury Travel Diary, I’m just helping to highlight it and randomly select the winner.
To enter: leave a comment on this post with your favorite item up for auction at Luxury Travel Diary, or why you would choose to stay at Maya. You may enter two times if you wish and answer those two questions one time each in separate comments.
Contest deadline and drawing winner: Entries close Friday, June 24 at Noon eastern. I will draw winner with the assistance of random.org.
The fine print: Advance booking is required and it’s subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Winner will have one week to respond to email notifying of the prize, otherwise the prize will be forfeit and made available to another reader.
For avoidance of doubt, I have no affiliation with Luxury Travel Diary or Maya. I am not getting anything in exchange for running this giveaway other than an opportunity to share the place with readers.
The hotel is solely responsible for providing prize to winner. All decisions made in the course of running this giveaway are final and unappealable and your entry signifies your acceptance. The goal here is to make readers aware of a pretty cool auction opportunity, and to give away a stay. So please don’t make it hard on me for doing so!
My favorite item on Luxury Travel Diary is the 4 nights for 6 in Thailand!! I would love to visit Thailand and can’t wait till I could actually book a trip.
I would choose to stay at Maya for its beautiful and relaxing vibe. I love to travel and I am putting this on my list of places to go.
I have always meant to visit Sri Lanka, and this would be my first trip. Thanks for this kind offer, Gary!
Really wowed by the auctions. I had not known this existed. Right now, the one that really has my attention is the luxury villa rental (w/ pool) for up to six adults for four nights, which is currently at 150 pounds after 19 bids. Incredible.
I would love to stay at Maya since the area seems very relaxing and the place looks wonderful.
As for the Maya, I think I would choose to stay there (apart from the recommendation) because of the opportunity to experience such luxury in a first trip to Sri Lanka. I would have my friend down from Mumbai and explore it together with him.
My favorite item on Luxury Travel Diary is 2 Nights At The 5 Star Hotel Dupond-Smith, Paris. Thanks.
I would love to stay at Maya and finally visit Sri Lanka. We have friends from there trying to get us to come. Would love to make it impossible for my GF to say no.
My favorite travel item is the trip to Thailand, and I’d love to go to Maya because I love experiencing new places.
I would choose to stay at Maya since it has an awesome pool and peaceful village. Thanks.
I would choose to stay at Maya – looks great. Sri Lanka is a wonderful country and I would like to visit.
I’m most excited about the 4 night stay for 6 people in Koh Samui. I have a trip planned for friends there right after New Years so this would be a great opportunity to scope it out while I’m living in Thailand.
The auction site looks pretty good, I will have to investigate further. The one that caught my eye was 4 nights at Fusion Maia Da Nang. Intriguing!
My favorite item up for auction is the 2 night trip at Divani Apollon Palace in Athens Greece. I chose this because I visited Greece back in 2008, and fell in love. I’d love the opportunity to go back (I would of course have to stay more than 2 days of course lol)
The Koh Samui stay is the most interesting to me since I have always wanted to visit Thailand!
I would stay at Maya to have a relaxing getaway. Perhaps we could even combine the travel with a few days at the Park Hyatt Maldives!
Definitely need a relaxing week at Maya. Need a vacation so bad.
I would choose to stay at the Maya because it looks like an absolute dream. The wildlife nearby with the elephant population, beaches, luxury rooms, and the temples offer so much to do and see both on site and nearby. It would be so amazing to get to visit!
And I would stay at the Maya for the off-the-beaten path atmosphere combined with the 5-star amenities and service!
3 nights in Cabo would also be great..
My favorite auction item is the 4 nights for 6 ppl in a Luxury Villa in Koh Samui, Thailand. I would absolutely love to take this trip! Very close to Sir Lanka, so maybe I can coincide it with this trip to Sir Lanka!
My favorite item up for auction is “4 nights in a Pool Villa at the 5* Milaidhoo Island Maldives”.
I would choose to stay at Maya to be near the gorgeous Sri Lankan coast and try out the local food! I actually just booked a flight to Sri Lanka for the winter and haven’t booked accommodations yet so this would be perfect 🙂
I just back from transiting CMB with UL. Had a long layover and was given a layover hotel (Gateway Garden) and took a driver to Colombo for the day. Would love to explore more of the island.
I would chose the Baron’s Cove stay because I am running low on vacation time and it is something I could do on a weekend.
I’m keeping my eye on 5 nights for up to 5 at Villa Koru, Koh Samui, Thailand!
My favorite auction is the 3 Nights In A Luxury Villa With Private Pool In Java, Indonesia!
I would enjoy the Maya because of the beautiful setting and the massages and cooking classes are a great touch
I’ve been to Sri Lanka three times for business – its a beautiful laid back country and I would love to spend some time there for vacation exclusively. The Maya Sri Lanka would be the perfect way to accomplish that
I would love to stay at Maya as I have always wanted to go to Sri Lanka and spend time touring around Columbo and the mountains.
The 2 nights at the FS Morocco looks fantastic!
The two nights stay at the Four Seasons Marrakech is ideal and would be my choice. I visited Marrakech for a few days in Feb and would love to go back with family!
Love the Auctions in Sri Lanka and Maya would be the perfect choice for a pleasant vacation.
A great item in the auction is the 2 nights at the 5* Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Right now its only 10!
I would choose to stay there because it looks very nice the reviews are great!
I like the 2 night stay at the four seasons Marakkech.
I’d love to stay at Maya to indulge in the luxurious tropical seclusion and serenity that it offers.
Favorite item: Eco retreat in Scotland
I would stay at the Maya because of its incredible location – never been to Sri Lanka, and would love to go!
2 nights at Cley Windmill Boutique B&B in Norfolk
Well, the main reason I’d love to stay at Maya is to experience Sri Lanka! I’ve certainly never been, haven’t really thought about going until now, but it sounds amazing, and a as a tea lover I would love to visit one of the worlds best tea growing regions!
My wife and I have a big anniversary coming up and Paris would be a wonderful place to celebrate.
I want to go to Maya, because it is free and I’ve never been to Srilanka. One more country to cross of my map:)
I’d love to stay at the Maya with my girlfriend for much needed R&R
My favorite item up for auction is the 4 night package in the pool villa at the Milaidhoo Island Maldives!
I’ve never been to Italy, but I’d love to go, and if I’m going, why not stay in the beautiful looking La Bandita Townhouse in historic Pienza? That gets my vote for the best auction item.
The 4 Nights For 6 Ppl In A Luxury Villa In Koh Samui, Thailand sounds ideal!
4 Nights In A Pool Villa At The 5* Milaidhoo Island Maldives looks great. i would stay at maya for our honeymoon..
I would choose to stay at the Maya Sri Lanka because of the small intimate nature of the resort – it doesn’t get any more exclusive than 5 suites!
My favorite item up for auction is the 4 Nights For 6 Ppl In A Luxury Villa In Koh Samui, Thailand. A great deal too!