Ceylon Tea Trails

Hatton, Kandy & Hill Country, Sri Lanka
Book from GBP Book from £527 per night

Five elegant tea plantation villas against a breathtaking backdrop of emerald peaks, with impeccable service and fine cuisine (included in rates)

Five elegant tea plantation villas against a breathtaking backdrop of emerald peaks, with impeccable service and fine cuisine (included in rates)

Sri Lanka's hill country, with its lush terraced tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and mist-shrouded mountains, has some of the most awe-inspiring scenery that you'll find anywhere on the island. At 4,000 feet above sea level, Ceylon Tea Trails is a collection of five beautifully restored plantation bungalows set around the picturesque Castlereagh Lake. Originally built for British tea managers during the Raj, they now offer classic comforts with a dash of style, outstanding cuisine and excellent service without losing the sense of history, all of which has earned them Relais & Chateaux status.

Each house comes with its own chef, butler and manager and up to six luxurious guest rooms, which can be booked individually or collectively. Every villa is surrounded by immaculate flowering gardens including croquet lawns and majestic trees; all have swimming pools, most have Jacuzzis, one has a tennis court. The bungalows are set 4-15km apart, linked by walking and cycling trails, and you can hike sections of The Pekoe Trail from here too. You can do as much or as little as you like from guided tours of the working Dilmah tea estate to whitewater rafting, to a boat trip on Castlereagh Reservoir or a sunrise trek to Adam's Peak. You can even enjoy a jaunt in a helicopter or a sea plane ride. After a day's activity return to a refreshing swim, afternoon high tea with scones, and a crackling log fire after a gourmet multi-course dinner. For many this unique property will be the highlight of your trip to Sri Lanka.

Highs

  • The hill country setting is both magnificent and tranquil with stunning views all around
  • Service and attention to detail is impeccable at all five bungalows
  • Exceptional irresistible food and a good selection of drinks (all included in the rates); great cooking classes too
  • A good base for excursions to Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka's most sacred mountain
  • You can also add on a few days at beachside sister resort Cape Weligama or safari retreat Wild Coast Tented Lodge

Lows

  • This level of comfort and service doesn't come cheap, but all meals and drinks, as well as laundry, are included in the daily room rate
  • The high-in-the-hills location means bumpy roads and potentially tiring journeys but it's well worth the effort
  • You're in a bubble of bliss here, but some may find it too much of an ivory tower

Best time to go

All year round. Because it is so high up it rarely gets unbearably hot and the main season is October-March. December to April is peak season as temperatures rise to around 28C during the day but cool down at night. During the monsoon season from October to December you can expect heavy downpours. June to September are the driest months here, when there’s almost no rain at all but temperatures are lower. Oct-March are the best months for climbing Adam's Peak.

Our top tips

Stay for three nights and be sure to visit some of the other bungalows for a lunch outing. Castlereagh, Dunkeld and Summerville are closest together, you can take a boat across the lake between Castlereagh and Summerville.

Great for...

Family
Foodie
Great Outdoors
Romantic
  • Luxury Villas
  • 27 rooms
  • All inclusive
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Concierge Service
  • Bicycles Available
  • Laundry Service
Room:

Rooms

Surrounded by lovely manicured gardens, the five bungalows have been elegantly refurbished by interior designer Deirdre Renniers to showcase their colonial architecture. Think vintage photographs, collectables from tea pots to wind-up gramophones, impressive coffee table books (that you actually want to read), and beautiful parquet floors throughout.

Each bungalow has a choice of 3 room types: the Luxury Rooms are the simplest (though still very comfy), the Garden Suites have verandas onto the garden and the Master Suites have a separate living area. Ample bathrooms come with twin sinks and claw foot or slipper baths as well as rainfall showers; you get butler service, bathrobes, ceiling fans and many rooms have a fireplace too.

As for which bungalow is best, they all are. Over the years we've stayed in Castlereagh, Summerville and most recently Norwood, and loved them all. But if you have a preference, you can request it when booking and they'll do their best.

Castlereagh is an imposing century-old house overlooking the reservoir, with 3 superb garden suites and 2 luxury rooms. It features summer houses, a library, a 15m swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and open fireplaces.

Summerville, 4km away across Castlereagh reservoir, is more of a traditional cottage. Some of the five suites have private gardens; all have easy access to the cosy living room with a fireplace and picture windows. Set above the lake with arguably the best views of them all, it has an 18m infinity pool, summer house and sunbathing deck.

Norwood is at the eastern end of the valley, 15 mins' drive from Castlereagh, with lovely views over plantations down to the lake and to the hills beyond. Rebuilt in the 1940s, its six suites and rooms (some with four-poster beds) are complemented by a library, billiards room, a Jacuzzi with a view, a sun deck, croquet lawn, a long dining room with south-facing terrace, and the largest swimming pool of them all (22m).

Tientsin, the furthest afield, 15km upriver from Norwood, is named after the Chinese village where the original tea came from, and has the largest garden of all, plus a tennis court. Six airy suites and rooms, polished wooden floors, high ceilings, log fires, billiards room, four-poster beds, 15m infinity pool and Jacuzzi, sun deck and delightful rose gardens contribute to the ambiance.

Dunkeld, nestled in the mountains above the lake, has an 18m pool, open-sided dining/living rooms and billiards room. The four suites have plush four-poster beds, velvet and leather sofas and antique touches, while the secluded Taylor Owner’s Cottage is hidden among the tea fields and has its very own Jacuzzi on the veranda.

Features include:

  • Bathrobes
  • Butler service
  • Cots available
  • Fan
  • Fireplace
  • Hairdryer
  • In-room treatments available
  • Mosquito net
  • Safe box
  • Slippers
  • Toiletries
  • Torch
  • WiFi

Eating

Each bungalow has its own chef and staff. Meals are cooked fresh to order, with dishes ranging from Western fare to tea-infused creations and Sri Lankan classics. It is fair to say that we were blown away by the flavour, presentation and abundance of the food on offer.

Wake up to a Western-style (usually eggs done your way) or a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast served with a fruit platter and bread basket. Picnic lunch baskets can be provided if you're out and about – perhaps cold roast beef sandwiches with a delicious salad – while for those who'd rather savour the views back at the house, there's usually a three-course lunch affair on offer. Do make sure you try the wonderful English high tea (if you have any room) comprising the usual tier of scones, cakes and sandwiches, with home-made jams of local fruit.

We loved the sundowners in the garden or in the living room, a chance to mingle with fellow guests, canapés are offered too – there's a different 'cocktail of the day' or choose from the complimentary drinks menu of spirits and wines. Dinner usually has 4 courses: for example, a tea-themed feast (we had tea-infused chicken one night, absolutely delicious) followed by chocolate mousse cake. Or they may offer a traditional Sri Lankan feast where you choose the protein curry (we had crab one night) which is served with a range of vegetarian curries as accompaniments. Dine on the terrace, in the dining room, in your suite, on the veranda or in a garden summer house (weather permitting).

Features include:

  • All meals included
  • Bar
  • Room service
  • Vegetarian options
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Enjoy the tea experience: watch the harvest, visit a Dilmah tea factory, discover the skills of tea blending, and buy tea to bring home
  • Enjoy a cooking class with your smiling in-bungalow chef
  • Try kayaking with well-trained guides (enquire ahead of arrival)
  • Hike along marked trails past tea-draped hills, the placid reservoir and pine forests full of wildlife (book through i-escape for a free trek – there are 14 trails to discover between the five bungalows)
  • Or go further and explore Stage 7 and Stage 8 of the Central Highlands’ new 300 km-long The Pekoe Trail through amazing mountain terrain
  • Get up before sunrise to climb the famed Adam's Peak mountain (1.5 hours away); the huge 'footprint' at the top has been a place of pilgrimage for more than 1000 years
  • The reservoir and nearby rivers provide excellent fishing
  • Mountain biking excursions are easily arranged and guests can bike from one bungalow to another
  • Whitewater rafting is available at Kitulgala, about 1.5 hours away
  • Spend an afternoon golfing in Nuwara Eliya, also about 1.5 hours away
  • Get involved with a reforesting programme, where guests help offset their carbon emissions by creating a 'conservation corridor' for Sri Lankan leopards

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Birdwatching
  • Boat trips
  • Cooking classes
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Mountain biking
  • Plantlife / flora
  • Private guided tours
  • Rafting
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Trekking

Kids

Whiel Ceylon Tea Trails is most popular with couples and an older clientele, children of all ages are welcome, and ours really enjoyed their stay. Cots are available, and at least one extra bed can be provided in every room for a fee. There are lots of fun activities for kids, including swimming in the lakes and exploring the grounds, as well as boating, cycling and nature trails for the whole family. There is even a Junior Tea Experience especially for children.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Taylor Owner's Cottage is ideal for families as it has 1 master bedroom with 1 small, interconnecting bedroom with twin beds. Otherwise all rooms can take an extra bed or baby cot. There's a twin room at each bungalow too.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Baby equipment:

Baby cots available on request

Remember  baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking

Kids Activities on site:

Swimming, tennis, croquet and cycling (kids sizes of bikes are available)

Kids Activities nearby:

Nature trails, boating and the Junior Tea Experience

Families Should Know:

Note that they try not to have several families staying at the same time.

Distances:

  • Shops: 20-25 minutes
Kid Friendly:

Location

Ceylon Tea Trails are situated south of Hatton in the Dickoya region, which is in the hill country of south-central Sri Lanka.

By Air
Colombo Bandaranaike (175km away) is the closest international airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.

From the Airport
Most guests come by private car, either as part of a bigger exploration around Sri Lanka or arranged by Ceylon Tea Trails (enquire when booking). The journey time is 3-4 hours from Colombo or 2-3 hours from Kandy.

There is also a seaplane (enquire when booking) to Castlereagh reservoir. This cuts journey times to 30 minutes from Colombo and 15 minutes from Kandy.

Getting around
The hotel can arrange taxis or cars with drivers for day trips and excursions.

By Car:
If you want to hire a car and driver for your whole holiday, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

Airports:

  • Colombo Bandaranaike International 175.0 km CMB

Other:

  • Beach 150.0 km
  • Shops 12.0 km
  • Restaurant 12.0 km

Rates for Ceylon Tea Trails

Arriving on: