Accommodation Guide
Plantation Bungalows
Ceylon Tea Trails Norwood Bungalow - Hatton
Lavander House – Katukitula
Illuketiya – Akuressa
Black Wood Bungalow
Ellerton Sri Lanka – Gampola
Stafford Estate – Ragala
Ceylon Tea Trails Bungalows - Hatton
Ceylon Tea Trails Summerville Bungalow - Hatton
Ceylon Tea Trails Tientsin Bungalow - Hatton
Ceylon Tea Trails Castlereigh Bungalow - Hatton
In central Sri Lanka, just four hours from Colombo by car to the Castlereagh Lake, lies the Bogawantalawa Valley, known as the Golden Valley of Tea and home to old Ceylon, replete with rolling green hills, plantation bungalows, high tea and exquisite service.
Here in solitude, at an elevation of 4000 feet above sea level, lies Ceylon Tea Trails, four colonial tea planters' bungalows , infused with a new and decidedly gourmet vibe. Each villa, built between 1890 and 1939, offers a taste of colonial living thanks to butler service & authentic period furnishings, accompanied by gourmet meals.
Guests are absorbed into life on a working tea estate, whilst reveling in five-star luxury. Tea Trails will teach you everything you need to know about the perfect brew. The unique Tea Experience tour with the tea planter in residence will show you the wonders of Camellia Sinensis (the botanical name for tea).
A typical rave review of Tea Trails at tripadvisor.com says "If you stay in one place when in Sri Lanka, make sure this is it!"
The four bungalows offer the upscale traveller both traditional and modern comforts in a "non-hotel" atmosphere. Each bungalow has a Manager, Chef, Butler and support staff to welcome guests as at a planter's home. Meals are based on fresh produce, cooked to order and range from western fare to tea infused dishes and of course traditional Sri Lankan classics.
Scenic walking trails link the properties [which are from 5 to 15 km apart], offering views in all directions. Trekking along the Tea Trails takes you through the heart of the magic Ceylon tea country.
A wide variety of activities and excursions are available including climbing the famed Adams Peak mountain, day trips to the ancient hill capital Kandy and golfing in Nuwara Eliya.
At Ceylon Tea Trails every day is an adventure!
The Lavender Houses
http://www.thelavenderhouseceylon.com/
Set in 7 acres of beautifully tendered gardens nestled in the heart of the up country tea estates of Ceylon .
The Lavender Houses' five Bedrooms are furnished with traditional pieces giving each room its individual character offering every comfort and amenity. Each of the five suits is furnished with rich textiles and antiques with personalized courtyards.
The Lavender House offers informal luxury, A country house which is operated more like a private home. Garden flowers, log fires and home grown vegetables all contribute to the comfortable feeling of this well maintained home.
Illuketiya
Illuketiya is set midst 10 acres of lush tropical forestry and land located 800m from the 4 km post on the Akuressa Road from the Galle-Matara main road. It is about a 3-hour drive from Colombo and about 4 ½ from the airport. You can arrive by seaplane and land in Koggala Lake just 15 minutes from Illuketiya
The beautiful boutique hotel Illuketiya is yet another designer masterpiece. It is an old estate renovated by the owner himself, the publisher of the ‘Inside guide' book series Hans Hoefer.
The estate is a haven for nature lovers with its endless gardens of rare flora and foliage. The house is a colonial estate bungalow, renovated preserving every bit of the colonial charm and adding comfort and luxury to the discerning traveler. It exhibits its own colonial luxury feel and creates a feeling of paradise and ultimate comfort and homeliness. The service offered by the discrete staff at Illuketiya is exceptional.
Black Wood Bungalow - Haputhale
Blackwood Bungalow is situated in Haputhale, A hill country town in the uva province in sri lanka and is only 3Km on the Beragala Haputhale road.
The Bungalow was built on a bedrock in a counter style, on a steep slope of the mountain facing the southern plains of the country. The balconies overlook the serene country side and the sunset is particularity beautiful and has to be seen to believe the clam and quietness of the surrounding are so soothing to the mind and body
To make your visit with us a memorable and also to delight our customers, our asset is our staff untiring and dedicated personnel who spare no pains to ensure maximum satisfaction with tasty food and other comforts.
www.blackwoodlk.com
Ellerton
http://www.ellertonsrilanka.com/
Owned by Richard and Cary Goode, Ellerton was built for the manager of a large tea estate more than 100 years ago and it retains today the character and tranquillity of colonial days.
Ellerton is close to the geographic centre of Sri Lanka. Colombo and the international airport is 3 hours away and the World Heritage city of Kandy with its renowned botanical gardens and other tourist attractions is 30 minutes drive. The Cultural Triangle to the north is only 2 hours away making Ellerton an excellent base from which to explore the island.
At 2,400 feet Ellerton combines the best of Sri Lanka's weather. The sun in the day is hot, while the evenings and nights are relatively cool without the stickiness of the coast, nor the distinct chill of the hill country.
The beautiful gardens are full of interesting flowers, butterflies and birds including the the Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot, Golden Oriole, Sunbirds and the Plum Headed Parakeet. The garden also provides vegetables and fruit for the house.
The countryside around Ellerton is crossed by many paths and tea estate roads, making walking and biking easy and delightful.
Stafford Estate,Ragala, Sri Lanka
Situated just 30 minutes from Nuwara Eliya, on the Uda Pusellawa road in the picturesque little village hamlet of Ragala, within the precincts of the Stafford Tea Estate, lies this beautiful heritage bungalow. Built in 1884 in the days of the British Raj by the trail blazing Scotts, the bungalow s colonial charm has been lovingly maintained throughout, albeit with the addition of modern day amenities.
Rest and rejuvenate in the salubrious climes of the Tea Country on the extensive front lawn, surrounded by the scenic view of rolling green hills. Take a walk along one of the many trails that wind their way through the luscious tea bushes, when feeling more energetic, or just simply enjoy freshly brewed tea with scrumptiously baked scones & accompaniments on the cooling Blue Grass a feast for tired eyes! For the historian & spiritualistic, venture to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, where local folklore tales from the famed Ramayana mention that this was where Sita was hidden by the Demon King Ravana when she was his captive!
En route pause at the much revered Sita Eliya where the stream flowing down from the mountainside served the needs of Sita Devi. Find the footprints of Lord Hanuman in the precincts of the hallowed Temple shrines of Lord Rama, Sita Devi, Luxshmana & much more.
For the adventurous, have a night out in a rustic campsite complete with bonfire (when possible) & enjoy the night sky reaching out to the Milky Way, & wish upon a Shooting Star on a clear night! Test your astronomical knowledge with the ever prevalent Southern Cross, Three Sister's & the visible Planets!