Spa*, fitness centre, library, putting green
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Relax and unwind in this eco-friendly resort which is nestled within a 98-acre colonial tea estate in the Ella Gap. One of the region’s most sought-after properties in Sri Lanka, 98 Acres provides guests an elegant and distinctly Sri Lankan experience. It only has 28 rooms and these are set in two-storey thatched buildings that seem to cling to the hillside. Each room, from Deluxe to Premier Deluxe, has unbeatable views over the surrounding landscapes and a charming vibe with dark wood furnishings and a furnished balcony. Meals are served at Restaurant 98, yet another spot where you can enjoy the views. You can choose from either Sri Lankan or international cuisine so there is sure to be something to suit your tastes. We particularly love Bar 98, an open-air venue that has been contructed using reclaimed timber and railway sleepers. This is rustic chic at its finest. The bar menu features a range of cocktails and mocktails, wines and spirits.
Made up of a collection of colonial tea planters’ bungalows linked by trails that weave through beautiful tea gardens, this unique property provides a slice of Sri Lankan tradition and heritage. As you make your way to your assigned bungalow, all of which are set deep in the spectacular Bogawantalawa Valley in the island’s Hill Country, you can’t help but feel you’ve arrived somewhere special. This is a place for guests seeking serenity and perhaps for those who also wish for a little light adventure, with scenic walks, hikes and mountain biking trails available right on the doorstep. Each of the five unique bungalows plays host to Luxury Rooms, Garden Suites and resplendent Master Suites. Each room and suite is full of character and charm, as well as antique furnishings – think roll-top baths and four-poster beds. And it is in your room that each day begins with a tradition ‘bed tea’ brought to you by your butler who is also on hand from morning until night to attend to your every request.
With good facilities and a great atmosphere, the Cinnamon Citadel climbs terraced slopes on a riverbank and is a lovely place to relax after sightseeing. Even though this is a city hotel, you’ll feel as thought you are far away from the bustle, yet you will be just a short drive from the heart of Kandy and its famous sights such as the Temple of the Tooth and the beautiful botanical gardens – this is really the best of both worlds. Meals at the buffet restaurant Panorama are accompanied by breathtaking views of the Mahaweli River. An al fresco meal on the restaurant's terrace is an experience not to be missed. For à la carte meals and a river view head to Café C which is open for lunch and dinner. The hotel's rooms and suites are situated throughout three wings and offer you a view of the gardens or the river. The ground-floor Superior Rooms are simple in style with splashes of colour and feature a terrace which opens out on to the gardens or river bank. The Deluxe Rooms are located in the hotel's most modern wing and have garden or river views from the balcony. The Suites are the most spacious, featuring a separate living room and beautiful views over the river.
Built into and incorporating the river-side rock face in the hills above Kandy, the Earl’s Regency is a spacious resort with tranquil views over the Mahaweli River and has a great range of facilities It’s an ideal spot for those looking to enjoy peace and quiet, but with plenty to do. If you want to balance the time spent sightseeing and the time making the most of your hotel, this is the perfect choice. There’s an on-site spa and a large swimming pool, while the centre of Kandy is only a short drive – or perhaps a tuk-tuk ride – away, so you can explore at your leisure. Whether you're looking to enjoy Sri Lankan cuisine or international dishes the dining options at Earl's Regency do not disappoint. The main restaurant Royal Pavilion is where an extensive buffet breakfast is served. Lunch here is à la carte while at dinner you can enjoy various themed buffets from Sri Lankan to international! For a more laid-back atmosphere head to the Mountbatten Lounge which is open around the clock for snacks and hearty pub-style meals such as burgers, pizzas and steak. Each room at Earl's Regency features a private terrace or balcony with beautiful views out over the surrounding countryside. There is a real local feel to the rooms with typically Sri Lankan décor and furnishings.
Tucked away amidst the lush green hills of Nuwara Eliya, the Jetwing St Andrew’s is a beautiful colonial mansion with an air of faded grandeur, steeped in history and imbued with a sense of comfort and wellbeing. For times when you are not out exploring local tea plantations, there are plenty of peaceful spots in which to relax with a good book; there’s also a snooker room with an antique table. The hotel is situated next to the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, perfect for those looking to enjoy a round of golf or two. Little tastes of home can be enjoyed throughout the day with a typical English breakfast served each morning and afternoon tea available later in the day. The Old Course Restaurant is the main venue at the hotel and it is here where all your meals will be served. Alongside the traditional staples of an English breakfast, there are a few Sri Lankan favourites as well as some lighter continental fare. Lunch and dinner are à la carte and again local and international dishes are available to order. Each room is unique and the ideal place from which to explore the surrounding tea plantations. The deep colours – from blue tones to red – create a cosy and homely feel. The Superior Rooms are a comfortable choice while the Deluxe Rooms feature a mezzanine level with two single beds, making these rooms a great choice for those travelling as a family or group.
A main building and a scattering of chalets, all set on stilts above a lush tea garden overlooking the forest. Floor to ceiling windows create a feeling of being at one with nature whilst walks through the forest itself are simply magical. The Rainforest Eco Lodge also supports a community outreach project in a nearby village.
Santani Wellness Resort & Spa has been a name to know since it opened in 2016, and not just because of its away-from-it-all setting on a former tea plantation or its award-winning minimalist architecture. At its heart is a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that finds its purest expression in the superb spa, which seems to grow out of the hillside, and which has one floor devoted to hydrotherapy – a rarity in Sri Lanka. We particularly love the view from the glass-sided sauna and the tempting range of wellness packages designed to tackle everything from stress to sleeplessness. But you don’t have to visit the spa to experience a sense of harmony. There’s a suitably life-affirming selection of activities, from a gentle stroll through the 48-acre grounds with the resident naturalist to more energetic hikes through cloud forest, as well as morning and evening yoga sessions. And there are equally stress-busting ‘inactivities’, too, such as melting into the scenery from the perfectly positioned infinity pool or leisurely sipping a glass of biodynamic wine in the gadget-free lounge. And there’s the exquisite food, much of it locally grown and organic, that proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. As for the accommodation, there are 20 rooms in individual chalets whose design is a stylish modern update on traditional Sri Lankan shelters for pilgrims. The resort’s focus on uncluttered simplicity is reflected in the minimalist decoration: neutral colours, recycled teak and rubberwood furniture – and no television. The 16 Mountain View chalets have balconies that open straight out from the room, so there’s nothing between you, the gentle breezes and the sunrise. It’s a magical place to sit and soak in the breathtaking sights, sounds and smells. In the four Garden View Chalets, paddy fields take the place of mountains, and terraces replace balconies, making them suitable for families with older children.
With an almost 200 year history, a stay at the Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya is like stepping back in time. This National Heritage property, which began its life as the home of Sir Edward Barnes – a former governor of the island, is packed with old world features that reflect its past. In the past 190 years, ‘Barnes Hall’ has been added to and renovated and today is one of the most characterful, history-rich properties in Sri Lanka. It’s not all about the past at Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya – they have a very 21st Century view on sustainability. There’s a zero single-use plastic policy, they have their own farms and grow organic produce that they use in their restaurants. As you are transported up the drive to the grand entrance of the hotel, you’ll notice the painstakingly landscaped gardens which really set the tone for your stay. Inside, the design is in part dark wood furnishings, beams and wall panelling and in part refreshing light décor. There’s substance as well as style: the hotel has five restaurants which include authentic Indian and Thai venues, and the main dining room – Barnes Hall. We love that the hotel has a couple of unexpected and quirky private dining spots too; you can enjoy dinner in the converted laundry or boiler room. As you might expect from a hotel up in the Hill Country, high tea is a big deal at the Grand Hotel. They have a tea lounge, complete with an outdoor terrace, where cakes, scones and savoury snacks are served every afternoon. There’s also the Mindfulness Studio where they have daily music therapy sessions, yoga classes, treatment rooms and an indoor heated swimming pool. We’ve chosen to feature the rooms in the Golf Wing. They are simple in style with neutral décor and walnut-hued furnishings and look out towards one of the fairways of the neighbouring Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. The Junior Suites, which are larger than the Deluxe Rooms, feature a separate living room and come complete with butler service.
98 Acres Resort & Spa
Ceylon Tea Trails
Cinnamon Citadel Kandy
Earl's Regency
Jetwing St. Andrew's
The Rainforest Eco Lodge
Santani Wellness Resort & Spa
Grand Hotel
