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!
The cooking class and of course the surroundings at the Maya hotel would make for an exceptional getaway. Sri Lankan food is very much unknown and learning a thing or two might open my colleagues to a new cuisine.
I would choose the Maya because of the well-done slide presentation.
Winning the stay at the Maya Sri Lanka be a great way to celebrate my 22nd Wedding Anniversary and an excuse to get the hubby away from work!
Amazing country. Amazing people
I love the look of the Asia auctions – particularly this one: “7 Suite Nights In The Heart Of Sri Lanka, Close To Aman Resorts Amanwella”.
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The Maya boutique hotel looks so private and secluded – that makes it for me. Of course the seaview bar and yummy sounding food are lovely bonuses!
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There are lots of great auctions, but my current favourite is the “5 nights for up to 5 at Villa Koru, Koh Samui, Thailand”.
The MAYA Sri Lanka looks great – I’d love to have the chance to visit. I’ve not yet visited Sri Lanka, and this looks like the perfect hotel to stay in!
My favorite item up for auction at Luxury Travel Diary is definitely the 4-nights stay in a pool villa at the 5* Milaidhoo Island Maldives. I can’t think of a more luxurious getaway to celebrate my 22nd wedding anniversary. Couple that with winning the 5 nights stay at the Maya Sri Lanka and it’ll make for anniversary that we’ll be talking about for a long time!
I’d love to stay at the Maya because I’ve always wanted to stay at a Mr and Mrs Smith hotel after seeing The Thief in Oslo is one.
My favorite item up for auction is 1 Year Of Single Coverage Assistance Under Global Travel Plus.
Hi Gary, My favorite item up for auction is the 4 Nights In A Pool Villa At The 5* Milaidhoo Island Maldives. It’s been a dream of mine for quite some time to get to the Maldives!
Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I’d like to stay at the Maya to experience the five star luxury and celebrate my golden jubilee birthday!! It would also be fantastic to visit and explore Sri Lanka.
My favorite item up for auction with Luxary Travel Diary is the trip to Koh Samui, Thailand. Such a beautiful country and the only place I cried when it was time to leave.
My favorite item up for auction is the villa in Koh Samui!
I’d choose to stay at the Maya for the sea view bar!
I would like 2 nights at la Villa Tosca, France.
I would like to stay at the Maya because it looks so peaceful and Sri Lanka fascinates me.
My favorite item up for auction is the 2 Nights At The Stunning Paresa Resort In Phuket, Thailand. I have always loved the Thai people, culture and food, yet have never been to Thailand.
5 nights in a villa in Koh Samui sounds great to me!
2 Nights At The Grand Hyatt Jakarta, Indonesia because I’ve been to Indonesia but never stayed in a Hyatt.
I like the Maya because it feels exclusive.
I would choose to stay at Maya because it feels like it has great energy. My wife and I always look for resorts that offer yoga, and the fact that they offer yoga and meditation is appealing.
I’d love to try the food you always rave about!
The MAYA Sri Lanka looks fantastic. I would love to return to Sri Lanka and can’t think of a better place to stay!
Maya looks like an awesome choice for luxury, dining and relaxation. What a fantastic opportunity!
I love the look of the auction for 5 Nights at Villa Koru, Koh Samui, Thailand! This would be amazing!
2 NIGHTS AT THE PARESA RESORT IN PHUKET, THAILAND. I love Thailand!
Favorite is definitely 2 Nights At Villa La Tosca 5-Star Villa Hotel In France
Would love to stay there for the excellent facilities
If I win, I’ll definitely take advantage of the Ashtanga Yoga classes at Maya! Sri Lanka is my first trip next year! It will be nice to end my backpacking trip with this luxurious property!
3 nights at the Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge in Belize is one of my favourites in the auction. Who can say no to a secluded Spanish Casita surrounded by majestic mountains and endless hills and gardens?
Winning the stay at the Maya Sri Lanka be a great way to celebrate my 10th Wedding Anniversary. The best auction i see is 3 nights at Astir Palace.
I would love to stay at the Maya because the pool looks like a dream and the outdoor patios and hammocks seem beyond relaxing.
My top choice of auction would have to be 7 nights in a luxury travelopo villa in Mallorca. Looks amazing!
I would choose the Maya because the food and pool look wonderful.
My favorite item up for auction is three nights in the Austrian Alps.
I would go to Kaya Mawa on Malawi. Sounds exotic and lovely.
Maya looks incredible as well.
Sri Lanka vacation with luxury and comfort. Add to that QR biz on the way back!
2-day tour of Mekong Delta in Vietnam sounds terrific!
A good friend of mine is from Bangladesh – would love to make a hop over to Sri Lanka and stay at Maya en route 🙂
I’d love to stay at Maya to experience Sri Lanka for the first time!
Favorite auction is the 3 NIGHTS AT THE UNIQUE MAMA THRESL IN THE AUSTRIAN ALPS
Awesome!
My favorite auction items is the two hour stay around the minute suites
I would love to stay at the Maya because it looks like heaven on earth
I’d be excited for 5 nights at the Koru in Koh Samui
My favourite item from the auction is definitely the 2-night stay at The Four Seasons Resort Marrakech, Morocco!
And I would love to stay at Maya because it is the epitome of luxury and serenity. I could imagine myself relaxing by the resort’s wonderful pool and explore the lush compound. I can also explore the nearby city of Tangalle to sample on delicious street food and the national parks are also close by. The Sri Lankan wildlife awaits!
I’ve really wanted to visit Sri Lanka after hearing friends rave about it, so the best thing about staying at Maya would be the location! The cooking classes would be awesome as well. Thanks Gary!
And I’d probably be interested in booking the four seasons Morocco from luxury travel diary. My wife keeps telling me she’d like to visit Morocco.