Description
Nestled amongst the hills of the Dickoya region in central Sri Lanka, at over 5,000 feet above sea level, is Ceylon Tea Trails which is the only Relais and Chateaux resort in Sri Lanka. The concept is very British, with high tea served in the afternoon and rooms decorated in keeping with the feel of the colonial era.
The hotel offers four classic colonial era bungalows with luxurious suites, a manager, butler service and chef. Rooms feature four poster beds, elegant bathrooms some with verandahs opening out onto private immaculate gardens. The food is fantastic with Sri Lankan classics and seafood grills using locally sourced ingredients some of which come from organic vegetable plots around the estate.
The surrounding countryside is out of this world and guests can walk from one bungalow to the next, greeting locals on the way and taking in the fabulous views. You can be as lazy or as active as you want here, either lounging by the pool or trying some white water rafting, riding, tennis croquet, boating or visiting local tea estates.
Excursions offered by the hotel include visits to Kandy the Hill Capital of Sri Lanka in the central highlands, Adam's Peak, Nuwara Eliya and the national parks of Horton Plains and Uda Walawe, Sri Lanka's top eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka and famous for its large population of elephants.
Accommodation
Ceylon Tea Trails offers guests 4 enchanting bungalows: Castlereagh, Summerville, Tientsin and Norwood. Each cottage features five charming rooms and suites decorated in an unique style, ranging from neo-colonial to classic English. Some suites have verandahs leading out onto private gardens and bathrooms have gorgeous free standing baths to relax and unwind in after a long day exploring the surrounding countryside.
Childcare
Children are welcome but there are no specific facilities. Children will enjoy all the activities on offer in and around the hotel. They will also love the cultural trips to local tourist destinations especially a journey to the Uda Walawe national park which is famous for its large population of elephants.
Facilities
Facilities include a swimming pool (Castlereagh and Norwood), tennis court (Tientsin) and library.
Activities
The hotel offers complimentary swimming and tennis. Activities at an additional cost include in-room spa treatments, guided walks, kayaking and rafting. There are some fantastic tourist destinations closeby such as Kandy, the Hill Capital of Sri Lanka in the central highlands, Adam's Peak, Nuwara Eliya and the national parks of Horton Plains and Uda Walawe.
Services
The hotel offers a butler service.
When to travel
At Kandy (altitude 500m), the average temperature is 20°C, while Nuwara Eliya (at 1889m) has a temperate 16°C average. Climatically speaking, the driest (and best) seasons in the Hill Country are from December to March.
July/August is the time of the Kandy Esala Perahera, the 10-day festival honouring the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. Accommodation just before, during and immediately after the festival is very difficult to come by, and rates usually double or treble, so be sure to speak to us and book your trip well in advance!
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Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Hatton, Sri Lanka
All 4 bungalows are situated around the Castlereagh Reservoir, near Hatton
How to get there
Minimum 10.5hr direct flight then 3hr car transfer
