Hatton Bungalows by Jetwing
Hatton, Kandy and the Hill Country, Sri Lanka
At a Glance
There are plenty of activities available, such as Bungalow Hopping, treks and bike rides
The bungalows have been lovingly refurbished to offer comfort whilst still maintaining their Colonial charm
The rooms are very spacious, and Master Suites have a double and twin room so are great for families
Enjoy meals in the smart dining room or in the more relaxed atmosphere of the veranda
The views are wonderful, stretching across distant hill tops and down into lush valleys
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Year round destination. Because the Hill Country it so high up it rarely gets unbearably hot. The months of December to April are probably the best time to visit, 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.
Insider's View
Call us on 020 3993 8476 to start planning your holiday to Hatton Bungalows by Jetwing or take a look at our itineraries to Sri Lanka
Description
Hatton Bungalows is a collection of three bungalows located in the tea plantations. These converted colonial tea planters bungalows offer stunning views and a peaceful feel. Strathdon and Dickoya Bungalows each have four rooms and Craig Appin has five.
Nestled among the plantations, the Hatton Bungalows offer a wonderful relaxing haven from which to explore the surrounding Hill Country.
The decor is very much in keeping with the Colonial heritage. The rooms are furnished with four-poster beds and antique furniture, but also come with modern comforts such as TVs, overhead fans and tea and coffee making facilities.
Opulent dining rooms complete with candelabras provide the setting for a lavish dinner and the verandas offer a more relaxed experience for breakfast, lunch and pre-dinner drinks, with lovely views out over the hills and plantations. The chef will discuss menu options with guests, and both Western and Sri Lankan cuisine are available.
Craig Appin has five rooms, and Dickoya and Strathdon both have four rooms. Each of the bungalows has one Master Suite, which is a double bedroom with an interconnecting twin room and shared bathroom.
Hill Country is a fantastic destination for those who are looking for a bit of adventure, and the Hatton Bungalows have a great range of activities on offer. There are treks and cycle rides to explore the plantations, accompanied by the naturalist who will explain the history of the area and the art of tea picking.
Why not spend the day Bungalow Hopping, where you will walk from one bungalow to another for a delicious lunch, before heading on to the third bungalow in time for high tea, or perhaps visit a nearby tea factory where you can learn more about tea producing process. For adrenaline-seekers, you can even catch the train to a nearby town then cycle back across the hills.
Accommodation
Craig Appin has four Deluxe Rooms and one Master Suite, and Dickoya and Strathdon both have three Deluxe Rooms and one Master Suite. The Deluxe Rooms are all en-suite and very spacious. The Master Suites have a main bedroom interconnected to a twin room with a shared bathroom accessed through the twin room.
Activities
There are lots of activities available at the Hatton Bungalows. There are a variety of treks and bike rides through the plantations, accompanied by the bungalows' naturalist. You can also go Bungalow Hopping between the three bungalows, or take a train ride to a nearby town and cycle back. Visit a tea factory to learn more about the picking and drying process.
Reviews
Rikki Poynton (Staff)
Mandira is a lovely property full of old world charm in the heart of the tea plantations near Hatton. Great option if you want to take the train from Kandy but be aware they do not have a liquor license. If you want wine or beer, ask your driver to take you to a 'Wine Shop'.
Lucy Black (Staff)
Nestled into the lush tea plantations of Hill Country are Mandira's three bungalows; Strathdon, Dickoya and Craig Appin.
These converted planter's bungalows offer a wonderful haven from which to explore the area. They have a real home-style feel - I think I probably had one of my best night's sleep in Sri Lanka here. The bedrooms are enormous and furnished with lovely four-poster beds and antique furniture, very much in keeping with their colonial heritage.
The activities available are a real highlight. The naturalist has been pilfered from the renowned Ceylon Tea Trails, and he has built an excellent programme with excursions to suit all ages and levels of fitness. There are a number of treks and bike rides, as well a few quirkier options like Bungalow Hopping, or catching a train to a nearby town then cycling home.
The Mandira Bungalows also offer exceptional value in comparison to some of the other options in Hill Country.
Experiences
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Dambulla Buddhist Caves
Dambulla is an ancient historical site set on a large granite outcrop. The caves at Dambulla are famous for their temples and have been repainted several times in the 11th, 12th and 18th centuries with secular and Buddhist scenes.
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Ella City Tour
Explore Ella with your chauffeur guide. Ella is blessed with some of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular views. On this tour you will visit Ella Gap, Ravana Ella Falls, Little Adam’s Peak, Ravana Cave and Bambaragala Park.
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Explore the Tea Plantations
During your stay in the Hill Country, explore the tea plantations where you can see the tea pluckers at work, visit a tea factory, or go for a walk through the rolling green hills.
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Explore the Tea Plantations
During your stay in the Hill Country, explore the tea plantations where you can see the tea pluckers at work, visit a tea factory, or go for a walk through the rolling green hills.
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Jeep Safari at Yala National Park
Enjoy a jeep safari to Yala National Park, the most famous National Park in Sri Lanka.
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Kandy Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, Kandy, is renowned for its wide variety of plant species
and beautiful flowers. Of particular note is the collection of a variety of orchids.
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Kandy Temple Trail
Head a little more off the beaten track to explore some of Sri Lanka's more historically and architecturally interesting temples. Gadaladeniya, Embekke and Lankathilaka are set away from the main tourist trail but are still easily accessible from Kandy.
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Kandy Walking Tour
Go on a walking tour of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Meet Rahju the Artist
Rahju, one of Sri Lanka's famous artists, opens his studio to offer visitors an intimate view of what shapes his art pieces.
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Royal Botanical Garden Educational Walk
Learn more about the unique flora of Sri Lanka in the educational walk through Royal Botanical Garden
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Temple of the Tooth
This evening you will visit The Temple of the Tooth. The stunning 17th-century Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is believed to house the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself.
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Train from Kandy to Hatton
The 2 hour train journey to Hatton is a glorious way to see the rolling countryside from your observation car, as you climb into the hills and tea plantations.
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Trekking in the Knuckles Range
This is a must for trekking enthusiasts, who will love the striking landscapes and ever-changing fauna on this 4-5 hour trek from Illukkumbura to Riverston. Expect sweeping panoramas and waterfalls in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Visit Tea Factory and Plantation
Visit a working tea factory and plantation and witness how tea is grown and processed.
Holiday Ideas
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Essential Southern Sri Lanka
Colombo, Hill Country & South Coast
from £2800 pp inc flights & transfers for 7 nights
- Fantastic itinerary exploring the highlights of southern Sri Lanka
- Brilliant mix of city, culture, beach and epic landscapes in Yala National Park and the tea plantations of the tea country
- Depending on the season, it is possible to spot the magnificent blue whale off Sri Lanka's south coast
Location & directions
Hatton, Kandy and the Hill Country, Sri Lanka
The Mandira Bunaglows are located in Sri Lanka's Hill Country, near the town of Hatton which is 130km from the capital of Colombo and about 4,500ft above sea level.
How to get there
Colombo Bandaranaike (175km away) is the closest international airport. Most guests come by private car, either as part of a bigger exploration around Sri Lanka or arranged by Ceylon Tea Trails. The journey time is 4.5-hours from Colombo.
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