Which tea estate bungalow is for you?
A stay at a tea estate bungalow is a highlight on any itinerary to Sri Lanka. Quite rightly so, given these bungalows are surrounded by lush tea fields, cascading waterfalls and mist-shrouded mountains - some of the most awe-inspiring scenery that you'll find anywhere on the island.
The last five years have seen a neat collection of renovated estate bungalow pop up in the hill country. The choices available can almost feel overwhelming so we are here to narrow it down to three of our favourites.
All the outdoor activities can be done well away from the main house and the pool is also a reasonable way from the bungalow. This means the kids can run around and make noise while the adults sip G & T’s on the tranquil verandah.
The family room at Ash is perfect for a young family. The room offers a double bed and two antique singles. Sitting nearer the back of the house the room is further from any evening-time noise so suits kids heading to bed early, but within very easy reach of the terrace and sitting room so that mum and dad can enjoy their evening in close proximity.
Sunset Room and Hideaway Room combined are perfect for families with older kids where the parents want the privacy of their own room while keeping the kids close by. The two rooms are connected by a private corridor giving you a two bedroom suite with plenty of space and privacy.
A family-friendly stay in the hills
A little extra thought needs to go into your accommodation selection when planning a stay in the hills with little ones in tow. Tea estate bungalows generally tend to have an ‘adult-retreat’ vibe. Picture lots of antiques, opulent furniture, plush carpets and hushed tones of adults enjoying a nice cuppa in a cosy corner - none of which read as particularly child-friendly.
However, Ashburnham Estate strikes the right balance of an intimate tea estate bungalow that caters for adults and kids alike. It’s a working tea estate re-styled as a 6 bedroom boutique guesthouse an hour’s drive north from Kandy. The estate boasts stunning private waterfalls and beautiful views up to and across the Knuckles Mountains, not to mention around 60 acres of lush tea fields, plucked each day. There’s plenty here to keep the kids occupied for a few days - treks through the tea fields, swimming in private waterfalls and picnics galore.
A modern-day tea planters’ bungalow
Whilst almost all tea estate bungalows stay true to their colonial heritage, Camellia Hills is a highly contemporary interpretation of one. The style here is cool, modern and uncluttered. It’s a distinctly minimalistic style compared to the classic colonial grandeur of other luxury tea estate bungalows in the area. This 5 bedroom bungalow is the perfect place to enjoy the life of a modern day tea planter in breathtaking surrounds.
From its verdant valley-side porch, views of the mirror-still Castlereagh Reservoir and surrounding tea-wrapped hills are spectacular. Guests can drink in the panoramas while relaxing on plush sofas warmed by an open fire, dining in semi open air or swimming lengths of the cool garden pool. Whether the sun is shining or the clouds are descending into the mountains, the views from the bungalow are always dramatic.
Although Camellia Hills tend to be favoured by couples and honeymooners, the bungalow caters for families as well with one room setup particularly well on a seperate wing with a small interconnecting room suited for a young family.
The bungalows’ curated experiences include tea trail walks, tea factory tours, waterfall picnics, cookery demonstrations as well as relaxing boat rides in the Castlereagh Reservoir.
Camellia Hills is in a perfect location for a tranquil stay but getting here is also half the fun. The incredibly scenic 2.5 hour train ride from Kandy to Hatton will have you weaving in and out of tea fields and mist covered hills. For those short on time or prefer a birds-eye view of Sri Lanka’s Golden Valley of tea, the 40 minute sea plane ride from Colombo will have you landing on Castlereagh Reservoir right in front of the bungalow. Talk about making an entrance!
Your colonial stay in the hills
In the south-eastern corner of the hill country, Thotalagala is an exquisite tea planters’ bungalow created in 1870. Having recently been through a masterful restoration, this 150 year old bungalow is now a 7 bedroom luxury boutique hotel that pays odes to the heritage of Ceylon Tea.
Thotalagala is your traditional British colonial era tea estate bungalow with all the luxurious and indulgent trimmings. Magnificent four poster beds, pristine white linen, opulent rugs, original fireplaces, antique furniture, free standing clawfoot baths, champagne breakfast, pool-side high tea…. the list goes on. With no kids under 6 allowed, this is also the perfect setting for those after a tranquil holiday.
The bungalow lies adjacent to Dambatenne, one of the only estates in the world that Sir Thomas Lipton planted himself, and where the term “Ceylon Tea” was coined. It’s ideally located for hiking, trekking and bird watching. Dambatenne road is also one of the only places in Sri Lanka where you can technically see 50% of the island (the South and the East), and it really does feel as though you are floating in the clouds when you are sitting pool-side at Thotalagala admiring the view! For those seeking boutique luxury in accommodation with old world character, Thotalagala is the place to be.
