0203 019 3722
Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton, Sri Lanka
Collection of luxury colonial lodges in the heart of the tea plantation mountains
From around £450 per room per night on a full board basis
Ceylon Tea Trails consists of five colonial bungalows scattered around Castlereagh Lake which have been converted into luxurious lodges. It's the first Relais & Châteaux hideaway in Sri Lanka and the atmosphere at each bungalow is more akin to a house party than a hotel. The scenery is spectacular and you can walk between the bungalows or simply relax in the beautiful gardens or beside your pool. The unique Tea Experience tour with the tea planter in residence is a real highlight and will show you the wonders of Camellia Sinensis
(the botanical name for tea).
Accommodation
Built between 1890 and 1939, each of the five Ceylon Tea Trails bungalows are unique, and all have 4 to 6 bedrooms. They all provide a taste of gracious living complete with butler service, very comfortable accommodation and authentic period furnishings. Summerville has an air of a country cottage, Castlereagh has an eclectic style of its own, the high colonial Tientsin was one of the first planter's residences to be built in Ceylon and Norwood feels more modern. Summerville and Castlereagh are situated opposite each other on the shores of beautiful Castlereagh lake, whilst Norwood is at the other end of the valley and Tientsin is in the next valley. Each bungalow comes with its own manager, chef, butler and houseboys and a grand Master Suite with a separate living room and private gardens.
Activities & Experiences
Apart from the complimentary tour of the tea factory and fields with the tea planter, there's 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 close by such as Adam's Peak, one of Sri Lanka's highest mountains and a famous pilgrimage. Stamina-permitting, its 5,300 steps are demanding, but the bungalow's picnic, alongside the spectacular scenery, make this four hour trek well worth the effort.
Facilities & Services
Facilities include swimming pools at each bungalow, and a tennis court at Tientsin. Your meals are all included during your stay and comprise Sri Lankan or English breakfast, a three course lunch or Sri Lankan rice and curry, pre-dinner cocktails and a four course dinner. All the meals include recipes made from tea in line with the hotel experience.
Weather & Seasons
Year round destination. The Hill Country is so high that it rarely gets unbearably hot, but we suggest that 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.
Getting Here
It's about 4 hours from Colombo to Ceylon Tea Trails and most visitors come here as part of a wider tailor-made itinerary - which our experts can create for you. The nearest onward destination of note is Kandy, approximately a 2 hour drive north.
Also Worth Considering
Ceylon Tea Trails features in our suggestion for a 13 Night Luxury Tailor-Made Tour of Sri Lanka's Highlights
Cape Weligama - superb family friendly hotel on south coast, near Galle
Tamarind Hill - boutique colonial hotel on the edge of Galle
Cinnamon Wild - for wildlife safaris on the south coast in Yala National Park
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle - family friendly resort on the south coast
Vil Uyana - close to Sigiriya in the Cultural Triangle, 2 hours north of Kandy
Kings Pavilion Kandy - boutique hotel set in the hills just 15 minutes from central Kandy
Santani Wellness Retreat & Spa - near Kandy in Hill Country
Jungle Beach - boutique Robinson Crusoe style hideaway on north east coast
Reef Villa & Spa - just 7 suites beside the beach, 2 hours south of Colombo on the south west coast
The Wallawwa - boutique gem just 15 minutes from Colombo airport
Time to Get in Touch?
Please call us on 0203 019 3722 or simply send us an email outlining your requirements.
