Ceylon Tea Trails

Four luxurious tea plantation houses set in stunning hill country, all with impeccable service and fine cuisine, linked by walking and cycling trails

Sri Lanka's hill country, with all its spectacular scenery and lush tea plantations, is a must-see. Until recently, chances are you'd have to stay in a tired old colonial hotel or a musty bungalow with school dinner food, bad plumbing and service to match. At last someone has upped the stakes. At 4000 feet above sea level, Ceylon Tea Trails is a collection of 4 beautifully restored plantation bungalows set around the picturesque Castlereagh lake. Originally built for British tea managers during the Raj, they now offer modern comforts with a dash of style, fine cuisine and excellent service without losing the sense of history. Each house comes with its own chef, butler and manager and up to 6 luxurious guest rooms, which can be booked individually or collectively.

The houses are set between 4 and 15 km apart. Here you can do as much or as little as you like, from strolls, bike rides and guided walks around the working tea estate to rafting and a sunrise trek to Adam's Peak. After a day's activity return to a refreshing pool, afternoon tea with scones and a crackling log fire. This could well be the highlight of your trip to Sri Lanka.

Highs

• The hill country setting is both magnificent and tranquil
• This is the region's first luxury boutique accommodation
• Guests have the option of walking or cycling from one bungalow to the next (availability permitting)
• There are plenty of activities to choose from, including the helicopter tour
• Service and attention to detail is impeccable at all 4 bungalows
• This is a good base for excursions to Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka's most sacred mountain

Lows

• All this comfort and service doesn't come cheap, but all meals and most drinks, as well as laundry, are included in the daily room rate
• This is a somewhat off-the-beaten-track location with bumpy roads, and journeys can be long and tiring