Stay at Ceylon Tea Trails — Sri Lanka’s Finest Tea Estate Retreat
at a Glance
Why Stay here
How to get there
Hotel Category
Overview
Spanning five historic bungalows—Summerville, Castlereagh, Dunkeld, Norwood and Tientsin—Ceylon Tea Trails evokes the golden age of Ceylon tea.
Each bungalow, built between 1890 and 1930, features colonial architecture, manicured gardens, and open-log fires that flicker against mountain mist. While each has its own personality—lakeside or valley, contemporary or classical—all are united by the brand’s hallmark: personalised butler service, fine dining, and intimate scale
Guests are encouraged to “trail” between bungalows—perhaps cream tea at Tientsin, lunch by Castlereagh Lake, and cocktails at Dunkeld’s terrace—recreating the rhythms of the planters of old.
Why Stay Here
Few places merge colonial nostalgia and modern luxury so gracefully. Guests return for its:
- Exclusive bungalow-style privacy.
- Butler service and gourmet cuisine included.
- Tea heritage tours and signature tea-infused spa treatments.
- Access to sister Relais & Châteaux properties (Cape Weligama, Wild Coast Tented Lodge).
Accommodation & Rooms
Ceylon Tea Trails offers four categories blending heritage elegance with contemporary comfort:
- Luxury Rooms – Antique furniture, king-size beds, and spacious ensuite bathrooms with claw-foot tubs.
- Garden Suites – 50 sqm sanctuaries with private gardens and romantic four-poster beds.
- Master Suites – Grand bedrooms with living areas, twin-sink bathrooms, and vintage touches.
- Owner’s Cottage (Dunkeld) – A stand-alone one-bedroom bungalow with private terrace and heated hot tub overlooking Castlereagh Lake
Each room is attended by an in-house butler, ensuring every moment—morning tea in bed, drawn baths at dusk—is effortless.
Location & Accessibility
Nestled south of Hatton in the Bogawantalawa Valley, the property lies within Sri Lanka’s UNESCO-listed Central Highlands.
Distances – Colombo Airport 160 km (4.5 h) • Kandy 68 km (2.5 h) • Nuwara Eliya 48 km (1 h 50 m).
Access – By car, train (to Hatton Station), float plane, or helicopter.
[Explore Hatton and the Central Highlands →]
Photo by UGA Chena Huts
Photo by UGA Chena Huts
Dining & Culinary Experience
Every bungalow features its own gourmet kitchen, led by resident chefs trained under the Relais & Châteaux ethos. Dining celebrates Ceylon tea gastronomy: local produce transformed into fine cuisine.
Expect elegant four-course dinners, inspired by colonial menus and infused with regional flavours. Afternoons bring the famed cream tea ritual—warm scones, clotted cream, homemade jam, and panoramic lake views.
Guests may request curated experiences such as:
- Tea-Planter’s Tiffin Lunch — traditional curry spread on the veranda.
- Tea-infused Dinner — creative tasting menus using black, green, and silver-tip tea.
- Al Fresco Barbecue Lunch — set by the lake under mist-tinted skies
Photo by UGA Chena Huts
Photo by UGA Chena Huts
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Spa & Wellness
Wellness at Tea Trails honours the philosophy of treating mind, body, and spirit. Signature therapies use tea leaves, Ceylon cinnamon, black pepper, and local herbs
Signature Ritual (120 mins) – A warm-poultice full-body massage with Ceylon tea, followed by an aromatic milk bath.
Balinese Massage (60/90 mins) – Flowing movements blending acupressure and stretch.
Hydrating Glow Facial (60 mins) – A deeply nourishing treatment restoring skin vitality.
Bath Rituals – Choose from Cinnamon Spice, Green Tea, or Black Pepper & Orange to cleanse and soothe.
Treatments are offered in-room from 10 am to 9 pm, with tranquil views of tea-carpeted hills
Similar & Recommended Hotels
- Cape Weligama – Coastal luxury in the South.
- Wild Coast Tented Lodge – Safari retreat beside Yala National Park.
- Jetwing Warwick Gardens – Nuwara Eliya heritage mansion.
[Discover more luxury hotels →]
Experiences & Facilities
Ceylon Tea Trails is both sanctuary and playground:
- The Tea Experience – Daily guided tour of working tea estates and the Dunkeld Factory.
- Private Tea Tasting – Learn aroma, grade, and flavour under the Planter in Residence.
- Outdoor Adventures – Kayaking on Castlereagh Lake, biking the trails, guided treks, and white-water rafting.
- Cultural Excursions – Kandy Heritage Tour, Nuwara Eliya Colonial Trail, Horton Plains National Park.
- Facilities – Heated pool, Jacuzzi, tennis court, helipad, and float-plane dock
Nearby Attractions
- Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) – Iconic pilgrimage mountain (2 h drive).
- Horton Plains National Park – UNESCO site with World’s End view (2 h).
- Nuwara Eliya Town – British colonial hill station (1.5 h).
- Kandy City & Temple of the Tooth – Cultural heart of Sri Lanka (2.5 h).
[See nearby attractions →]
Insider Tips for Guests
- Best Time to Visit: December–April (dry season, clear views).
- Best Bungalow for Couples: Dunkeld (Owner’s Cottage with hot tub).
- Best For Families: Norwood and Tientsin offer larger gardens and tennis courts.
- Request a tea-infused bath after a mountain hike for the ultimate unwind.
Guest Reviews & Testimonials
Travellers praise Tea Trails for its “impeccable butler service,” “dream-like views over Castlereagh Lake,” and “exquisite dining at every bungalow.”
Condé Nast Traveller featured the resort in its Gold List 2025 and Robb Report ranked it among the 50 Best Hotels in the World.
Sustainability & Design Ethos
A pioneer in eco-luxury, Ceylon Tea Trails follows Resplendent Ceylon’s sustainability philosophy—minimal footprint, maximum impact.
- Locally sourced ingredients & produce.
- Restoration of heritage architecture using sustainable materials.
- Employment and training for estate communities.
- Reforestation initiatives around Castlereagh Lake.
Conclusion
Ceylon Tea Trails is not just a hotel — it is a journey through time and taste. From the soft rustle of tea leaves to the clink of china cups at dawn, every detail celebrates Sri Lanka’s most storied export and its legendary hospitality.
Experience Ceylon Tea Trails with Sithiyam Travel — where luxury meets authenticity.
