Ceylon Tea Trails Overview

The world’s first tea bungalow resort, Ceylon Tea Trails is an icon for small luxury resorts. Comprising of five restored colonial era tea planter residences, the period furnishings, gracious butler service and gourmet cuisine create an ambiance that has made Tea Trails the gold standard for luxury bungalows in Sri Lanka.

Situated at an altitude of 1250 metres near Hatton in central Sri Lanka, the resort borders the World Heritage Central Highlands and offers breathtaking panoramas of mountains and lush tea fields. Each bungalow is unique and exudes its own exquisite ambiance while offering guests the non-hotel, private house ambiance that is the hallmark of the award-winning, "all-inclusive" Tea Trails experience.

Take a trail through panoramic Ceylon tea gardens or laze in one of the bungalows, watching the mist roll in with a crackling fire warding off the evening chill.

Accommodation At Ceylon Tea Trails

Rooms are named after tea planters who lived in the bungalow. They offer a taste of colonial-era luxury with solid teak furnishings, antique touches and plush beds. Choose from Master Suites with a separate living room, Garden Suites with verandahs to private gardens and Luxury Rooms of great character or a secluded Owner’s Cottage.

Relax in immense four-poster beds and crisp white sheets. Twenty-six elegant and charming rooms and suites are decorated in a unique style, ranging from neo-colonial to classic English. A dedicated butler service will be available to guests from dawn to dusk to ensure that no request is too much trouble. Guests are treated to traditional morning ‘Bed Tea’ to start the day in style. Complimentary shuttle service and luggage handling is provided for guests transferring between bungalows.

The temples are located in close proximity to the bungalows will be celebrating these festivals, as such the sound associated with the rituals and prayers carrying over to the bungalows is a distinct possibility. Key festival periods are; Thai Pongal which takes place from 13th to 17th January, Maha Siva Rathiri which falls in late February to early March, Sinhala/Tamil New Year which takes place between 12th to 15th April, Mayday on 1st of May, Deepavali from mid-October to early-November and Christmas falling on 25th December each year.

Dining At Ceylon Tea Trails

The day at Tea Trails starts with that wonderful colonial institution, Bed Tea. Served by your butler as part of a gentle wake-up call, this must be the most civilised way to start the day. The butler will also draw your bath. Then an early morning walk followed by an English or Sri Lankan breakfast. A unique aspect of Tea Trails’ cuisine is the use of fresh, home grown vegetables, herbs and teas from the surrounding estates. Basil, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, sage, parsley and mint inspire and enliven the chef’s menus every day.

Tea Trails is all about the time-honoured planters’ traditions: roaring fires and the comfort of a single malt whisky while the mists roll in or a stiff gin and tonic after a long day’s walk in the tea gardens, accompanied by the spicy flavours of Sri Lankan nibbles to stimulate the appetite. Scrumptious afternoon high teas in the gardens are curiously English and exotic at the same time.

The four-course dinners are at once contemporary and colonial with its garden-fresh ingredients married with choice wines, best shared in good company. Or a fabulously aromatic, authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry for lunch – a definite harbinger of the afternoon siesta. Rates at Tea Trails are fully inclusive of gourmet meals and drinks, including top shelf spirits and wines. Even service charges, taxes and laundry are included. You won’t be bothered with bills…