Global hospitality company Hilton announced the opening of the Hilton Yala Resort at Yala Wildlife Tourism Zone in Sri Lanka, as reported by the Daily FT.

Located in Palatupana village, the hotel was inaugurated by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and offers 42 family-friendly rooms, villas and suites.

The hotel is built by Melwa Hotels and Resorts, a real estate developer that has also built the 141-room Hilton Negombo.

Dining options at the Hilton Yala Resort consist of an all-day dining restaurant called Dhira; a Western cuisine restaurant called Sandali; Vanya, which serves coffee, meals and cocktails and Lanthaaruma, which offers a personalised dinner menu along with wine pairing options.

Guests at the hotel can enjoy a wide range of activities such as game drives, bush walks, village tours, kid’s activities and more.

Among the other amenities at the property include a fitness facility, an outdoor pool and a spa.

The new hotel is a 20km drive from the nearest town, Tissamaharama and five minutes from Yala National Park.

Guests can also opt to visit nearby temples such as Kataragama and Sithulpauwa, as well as other attractions such as Bundala National Park, Weerawila and Kalametiya bird sanctuaries.

According to Melwa Hotels and Resorts director Muruganathan Pillai, the hotel has been developed with an investment of over $16m.

Additionally, Melwa Hotels and Resorts signed deals for Hilton Hotels in Nuwara-Eliya, Kosgoda, Kandy and Colombo International Airport, bringing the total count to six, according to the Daily News.