 |
|
|
|
The Sri Lankan highlands enhance the country's richly-varied
landscape. Only a few hours from the coast, here is a land of
rushing waterfalls, plunging ravines and tea estates clinging
precariously to steep hillsides.
The highlands offer excellent walking country and a natural
setting for activity holidays. It is much cooler here -- which
can be a welcome contrast to the heat of Colombo and the coast.
Hotels tend to be simpler, perhaps revealing a taste of old-style
Sri Lanka.
Learn more about this region: Click
Here
| Ambiente,
Ella |
|
 |
 If
location is everything, then Ambiente is one of
the most blessed guest houses in the world. It sits
on a ridge high above the village of Ella in the
Southern Highlands, a stirring land of lush tea
plantations, majestic peaks and rushing waterfalls.
|
|
|
| |
| Bandarawela
Hotel, Bandarawela |
|
|
 Bandarawela
Hotel, situated more than 4,000 feet above sea level
and a haunt of tea planters since first built in
1893, offers an unmistakeable air of old colonial.
Bandarawela is off the beaten track, so this hotel
has not advanced as quickly as many: food is only
moderate with limited choice and some facilities
may owe much to a bygone age.
|
|
|
| |
| Boulder
Garden, Sinharajah |
|
|
 The
outskirts of Sinharajah rain forest, in south-west
Sri Lanka, is a remarkable place to find a small
hotel with a boutique feel, but Boulder Garden,
built into a rocky outcrop, is a special delight,
offering unexpected luxury and committed eco credentials.
|
|
|
| |
| Blue
Magpie, Sinharajah |
|
|
 Blue
Magpie, on the edge of the Sinharajah rain forest,
is a rudimentary property with a stunning location.
It has 12 simple rooms with en suite bathrooms but
otherwise is a place of few frills. One for nature
lovers.
|
|
|
| |
| Calliandra
Bungalow, Bandarawela |
|
|
 Calliandra
Bungalow is situated 1,200 metres up in the tea
district of Uva at Poonagala, just west of Bandarawela.
The Bungalow is over 100 years old, built in the
days of the intrepid Scottish tea planter, who wanted
to recreate a home away from home.
|
|
|
| |
| Castlereagh,
Dickoya |
|
|
 Castlereagh
is a century-old bungalow nestling 45kms south of
Nuwara Eliya, over 5000 feet above sea level. An
indulgent, luxurious property, originally built
for British tea estate managers in the days of the
Raj, it occupies a prime position in a wooded dell
close to a lake.
|
|
|
| |
| Centuaria,
Uda Walawe |
|
|
 A
reliable 2/3-star lakeside hotel, of old-fashioned
style, most valuable for its proximity to Uda Walawe
national park. A perfectly respectable stopping-off
point, but those seeking more luxury should opt
for an evening journey to the coast.
|
|
|
| |
| Dutch
House, Bandarawela |
|
|
 Designed
along the lines of the early 18th century Cape Dutch
bungalows, the Dutch House is a brand new luxurious
villa with magnificent views of the Bandarawella
town and the mountains beyond. Centrally located,
this is an ideal spot from which to explore the
scenic southern highlands.
|
|
|
| |
| Ella
Adventure Park, nr Ella |
|
|
 This
eco-friendly park nestles on the banks of Kirindi
river, six miles to the south of Ella village, amid
the stirring peaks of the Southern Highlands. Challenging
outdoor activities in an unspoilt jungle setting.
Not for the faint-hearted.
|
|
|
| |
Ellerton –
Kandy
|
|
|
 Ellerton
is an exciting discovery: a splendid hill-county
property blessed with magnificent hill-country views.
The 100-year-old planters' bungalow recently refurbished
by its British owners, sits amid a nine-acre organic
tea and spice estate in Gampola, about half an hour
from Kandy, just off the Nuwara Eliya road, it is
a perfect stopping off point en route to Nuwara
Eliya, or serves as an ideal hill-country location
in itself.
|
|
|
| |
| Glendower
Hotel, Nuwara Eliya |
|
|
 The
Glendower Hotel is an appealing option for those
seeking good value in the hill-country town of Nuwara
Eliya. An unprepossessing but welcoming hotel, next
to the golf course.
|
|
|
| |
| Grand
Hotel, Nuwara Eliya |
|
|
 The
Grand Hotel is the focal point of Nuwara Eliya,
the largest and most popular town in the highlands.
Once the 19C residence of a British governor, this
Grand Old Dame of the Highlands seeks to attune
its regular stream of package tourists to its sense
of unhurried, old-time grandeur.
|
|
|
| |
| Lavender
House, Pussellawa |
|
|
 Built
in the 1890’s, The Lavender House is an old
Colonial planter’s bungalow surrounded by
the lush green tea estate of Helboda. The bungalow
has been carefully restored by its Australian owners,
Gabby and James, who are also the owners of the
famous Cricket Club Café in Colombo. The
long refurbishment finally finished in 2006 and
the result is a brilliant hill country escape, an
old house that blends old world charm with luxurious
comfort, peace and tranquility.
|
|
|
| |
| The Heritage –
Nuwara Eliya |
|
|
 Set
in the heart of Nuwara Eliya town, the Heritage
hotel sits majestically on an acre of flowering
gardens overlooking the race course. It was once
a governor's residence and its latest owners are
striving to recover its old charms. An echoing Victorian
mansion with grand staircases, high roofs and antique
furniture. |
|
|
| |
| Hill
Cottage – Nuwara Eliya |
|
|
 Hill
Cottage, only yards from Nuwara Eliya golf club,
is a colonial bungalow, with seven spacious bedrooms
and extensive lawns, that once belonged to the Sri
Lanka's legendary golfing personalities, the late
Pin Fernando. It remains in the family and has recently
been refurbished, while retaining many traditional
features including antique fireplaces for cool hill-country
nights. It can be bought by the room or exclusively.
|
|
|
| |
| The
Grand Ella Motel, Nuwara Eliya |
|
|
 Grand
Ella Motel might have an unpromising name, but this
is as good as a government-run guesthouse gets.
It has one of the most beautiful views in Sri lanka,
standing above a valley complete with soaring peaks,
rushing waterfalls and boulder-strewn tea plantations.
There might not be much in the way of hotel entertainment,
but who needs it with a view like this?
|
|
|
| |
| The
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya |
|
|
 Britain's
imperial age pervades every part of the Hill Club,
from its green, manicured lawns to its men-only
bar, log fires and its insistence that gentlemen
wear jacket and tie for dinner. There has been a
certain refurbishing of facilities and approach
to suit the modern age, but do not look to change
it. Value it as living history or look elsewhere.
|
|
|
| |
| Hotel
Country Comfort, Ella |
|
|
 Hotel
Country Comfort opened in 1994 as a converted colonial-style
cottage. It lies close to Ella railway station in
the coller and unspoilt Southern Highlands, a breathtaking
terrain of lush tea plantations, majestic peaks
and rushing waterfalls. |
|
|
| |
| Kelbourne
Cottages, Haputale |
|
|
 Kelbourne
"Mountain View" Cottages, which date from
the turn of the 19th/20th century, are three sought-after
bungalows perched on a lush escarpment, near the
hill settlement of Haputale. More cottagey than
boutique, perhaps, but the Southern Highlands landscape
stirs the senses. |
|
|
| |
| Kirchhayn
Bungalow, nr Bandarawela |
|
|
 Kirchhayn
Bungalow stands in peaceful grounds on the edge
of the Aislabie Tea Estate, near "the forgotten
hill station’’ of Bandarawela, in the
breathtaking Southern Highlands. A spacious property
with magnificent gardens. |
|
|
| |
| Kitulgala Rest
House, Kitulgala |
|
|
 Kitugala
Resthouse boasts a magnificent location overlooking
the wide Kelani River as it carves its way from
the Highlands through lush, rolling hills. A basic
property with a colonial air, orgininally built
for travelling colonial administrators. |
|
|
| |
| Norwood
Bungalow, Dickoya |
|
|
 This
luxurious old tea planters’ bungalow commands
fine mountain views, about 45 minutes south of Nuware
Eliya. |
|
|
| |
| Netherbyres –
Hill Country |
|
|
 Netherbyres
is a charming colonial bungalow set within a working
tea plantation near Haputale. Two suites, with their
own private lounge and bathrooms, are available
to guests and sleep six in total. A large verandah
overlooks extensive lawns and stirring views of
the Southern highlands beyond. |
|
|
| |
| Paradise
Farm, Kitulgala |
|
|
 Paradise
Farm is a working organic agricultural farm with
spectacular views, nestling in a sleepy hamlet close
to the white-water rafting and canoeing village
of Kitulgala. The main house has three spacious
double bedrooms and a frontal verandah overlooking
a large infinity pool, with fresh spring water,
and panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Guests
can enjoy Ayurveda massage and steam baths, or just
simple cooking with fresh produce in an atmopshere
of peace and well-being. |
|
|
| |
| Plantation
Hotel, Kithulgala |
|
|
 The
main appeal of this popular eight-bedroom hotel
is its location, right on the banks of the wide
Kelani River and surrounded by tropical jungle.
Whitewater rafting and canoeing territory. |
|
|
| |
| Rafters
Retreat, Kithulgala |
|
|
 The
Rafter’s Retreat is an ecologically-themed
riverside retreat. There are 14 rooms, 11 of which
are individually-designed eco lodges. You can even
sleep in a tree house after a day’s trekking
or rafting. Basic comforts for the active. |
|
|
| |
| Rangala House,
Kandy |
|
|
 Rangala
House is a converted tea estate bungalow in the
Knuckles range of mountains. This comfortable house
has a homely feel and is in tune with its rural
and pristine natural surroundings. The house is
overlooked by the majestic Knuckles Range at the
back and at the front are the luminous, tea-covered
hills of the Dukwari Estate. Rangala House is ideal
for those wanting to relax amid the natural splendour
of the hill country. |
|
|
| |
| Rainforest Edge,
Waddagala |
|
|
 Rainforest
Edge offers designer-rustic high above the beautiful
rolling hills of Waddagala, only five miles from
the northern entrance to Sinharajah rain forest.
A chanxe to relax in an isolated, pollution-free
environment, free from televisions or phones, while
retaining good levels of comfort. |
|
|
| |
| Ravana Heights, Ella |
|
|
 Ravana Heights is a simple three-bedroom guesthouse with few frills, run by a Sri Lankan owner and his Thai wife. Some guests have commented that the commitment to Thai cuisine gives the impression of a tiny Thai restaurant with accommodation - quite a turn-up in Sri Lanka's southern highlands. |
|
|
| |
| Royal River Resort,
Kitulgala |
|
|
 Royal
River Resort is a charming four-bedroom property
perched above the Ing Oya rapids, close to the white-water
rafting village of Kitulgala. It is reached down
a narrow, winding lane through a rubber plantation
and the surrounding waterfalls, lush vegetation
and numerous species of birds and butterflies makes
this an ideal destination for nature lovers. A recommended
property in this area. |
|
|
| |
| St
Andrew's Hotel, Nuwara Eliya |
|
|
 This
stately Tudor-style colonial mansion, built in the
latter part of the 19th century, is our recommendation
in Nuwara Eliya. Standing alongside imposing pine
trees, it has a stern exterior, but inside is a
world of open fires and candlelit dinners. |
|
|
| |
| Summerville,
Dickoya |
|
|
 Summerville
is another highly-recommended bungalow in the Southern
Highlands, 45 minutes osuth of Nuwara Eliya. It
stands high above a lake at the edge of a tea plantation. |
|
|
| |
| Tea
Factory, Kandapola |
|
|
 The
Tea Factory lies on the slopes of the tea plantations
at Kandapola, high above the popular hill country
town of Nuwara Eliya. It is what it says –
a beautifully converted tea factory – and
offers high-grade accommodation in a unique setting. |
|
|
| |
| Tientsin
Bungalow, Dickoya |
|
|
 Tientsin
Bungalow was originally one of the first properties
to be built for British tea estate managers in the
days of the Raj. This luxurious bungalow is a perfect
getaway deep in the Southern Highlands. Six renovated
old-style rooms open onto spacious gardens. |
|
|
| |
| Slightly
Chilled Guest House, Adam's Peak |
|
|
 Slightly
Chilled Yellow House is an excellent base from which
to explore the sacred mountain of Adam's Peak. This
happy family-run guest house is situated in the
central highlands in Dalhousie, overlooking the
Kelani river. It is a nature lover's dream, possessing
spectacular views of the mountain and the surrounding
forest reserve, this is a nature lover’s dream
and an excellent spot from which to access this
sacred pilgrimage site. Dalhousie is the starting
point of the Adam’s Peak climb and can be
accessed via Hatton or through Avissawella. Relocated
in 2005, the new `Slightly Chilled' is light and
airy with a profusion of interior colours. |
|
|
| |
And don't forget that we also offer an excellent range of villa
properties, offering luxurious and intimate surroundings that
bear comparison with villa properties anywhere in the world.
«
Villas »
|
|
|
|
|
|
