The mist-shrouded tea plantations of Sri Lanka’s central highlands offer some of Asia’s most atmospheric accommodations. These verdant landscapes, first cultivated by British colonists in the 19th century, now host remarkable stays ranging from meticulously restored plantation bungalows to innovative eco-retreats nestled among the undulating emerald slopes.
Here is a list of 15 exceptional places to stay among Sri Lanka’s magnificent tea fields.
Ceylon Tea Trails
Scattered across the Bogawantalawa Valley, these five restored tea planter bungalows date back to the colonial era and maintain period furnishings alongside modern luxuries. Each residence sits at a different elevation, offering varied perspectives across the working tea estate that surrounds them.
Morning mist creates ephemeral landscapes that transform throughout the day as sunlight moves across the hills. Resident butlers trained in the traditions of colonial service prepare afternoon tea using leaves harvested just steps from your veranda.
98 Acres Resort
Constructed using recycled materials and perched on a spectacular hillside in Ella, this property integrates seamlessly with the surrounding tea fields. Charming chalets feature floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views across Small Adam’s Peak and Ella Gap.
The resort’s infinity pool appears to spill directly into the tea plantations below, creating memorable swimming experiences among the clouds. Stone pathways wind through active tea fields where guests observe pluckers at work using techniques unchanged for generations.
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Heritance Tea Factory
Occupying a converted tea factory dating from the 1930s, this innovative hotel preserves industrial heritage while creating unique accommodation experiences. Original machinery remains in place throughout the property, including impressive withering lofts now housing elegant guest rooms.
The cylindrical building rises distinctively above surrounding plantations, visible for miles across the Nuwara Eliya highlands. The hotel’s signature restaurant occupies the factory’s former fermentation room, where tea-infused cuisine showcases showcases local culinary innovations..
Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge
Comprising luxury safari-style tents perched on platforms overlooking the Knuckles Mountain Range, this eco-lodge combines minimal environmental impact with maximum views. Canvas accommodations feature handcrafted furniture and private viewing decks positioned for optimal sunrise views.
Morning yoga sessions take place on platforms surrounded by tea bushes stretching to the horizon in perfectly manicured rows. The absence of solid walls creates immersive experiences where the sounds and scents of the tea country become part of daily life.
Castlereagh Bungalow
Positioned on the shores of a reservoir surrounded by tea fields, this meticulously restored 1920s planter’s residence maintains its original character with polished wood floors and colonial-era furnishings. Garden suites offer direct access to perfectly maintained lawns that slope gently toward the water’s edge.
Morning walks with the property’s naturalists reveal the remarkable biodiversity that thrives alongside tea cultivation in this temperate microclimate. Evening fireplaces create cozy retreats after days of exploring the working estate surrounding the property.
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Governor’s Mansion
Nestled in the Dickoya region, this grand colonial residence once housed the British governors overseeing Ceylon’s valuable tea production. High ceilings and wrap-around verandas capture mountain breezes while offering panoramic views across valleys once walked by Sir Thomas Lipton himself.
Four-poster beds draped with mosquito netting create romantic sleeping environments that transport guests to another era. The property’s extensive gardens include species collected from throughout the former British Empire, creating botanical interest alongside the agricultural landscapes.
Thotalagala
Positioned on Haputale’s southeastern escarpment, this seven-suite plantation house dates from 1870 and overlooks the very fields where legendary tea pioneer Sir Thomas Lipton established his first Ceylon plantation. Each suite bears the name of a historical figure connected to the region’s tea heritage, decorated with appropriate period pieces and memorabilia.
The property’s elevation creates dramatically different views as clouds move below rather than above during many mornings. Traditional English breakfasts using local ingredients are served on the lawn with panoramic views reaching Sri Lanka’s southern coast on clear days.
Stafford Bungalow
Hidden within a 50-acre working tea plantation near Nuwara Eliya, this intimate four-bedroom planter’s bungalow combines historical accuracy with contemporary comforts. The property maintains original features like copper bathtubs and functioning fireplaces alongside subtle modern conveniences.
Meals incorporate vegetables from the bungalow’s kitchen garden, often served on the lawn beneath towering trees planted generations ago. Private tea tastings conducted by the estate’s expert demonstrate the remarkable flavor differences between morning and afternoon harvests from the same fields.
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Living Heritage Koslanda
Blending with the surrounding jungle-forest edge where tea plantations meet wilderness, this property features traditional Sri Lankan architectural elements with soaring wooden beams and open-air design. Private forest cottages offer direct access to natural swimming pools formed by the cascading mountain streams that also irrigate surrounding tea fields.
Traditional Ayurvedic treatments utilize herbs grown on the property following ancient cultivation methods. Morning mist creates otherworldly atmospheres as it rolls through the tea bushes surrounding the elevated accommodations.
Camellia Hills
Resembling a contemporary tea planter’s bungalow, this five-bedroom boutique hotel overlooks the Castlereagh Reservoir from its elevated position among working tea fields. The minimalist design emphasizes the spectacular landscape visible through oversized windows in each carefully positioned room.
Infinity-edge swimming experiences create the illusion of floating directly above the tea bushes that cascade down the hillside beneath the property. Evening cocktails incorporate tea-infused spirits created through collaboration with local plantation experts.
The Lavender House
Dating from the 1890s and surrounded by the Pedro Tea Estate, this restored superintendent’s residence maintains period features while incorporating contemporary design elements. The property sits at approximately 6,000 feet elevation, creating cool climate conditions perfect for evening garden strolls through fragrant herb plantings.
Original parquet flooring and restored antique furniture maintain historical accuracy within the four-bedroom bungalow. The hilltop location captures extraordinary light conditions that photographers particularly appreciate during golden hour.
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Nine Skies
Named for its views of the nine peaks surrounding it, this carefully restored tea bungalow near Ella combines colonial heritage with boutique luxury. Five distinctive suites feature private balconies positioned to capture different perspectives across the Demodara Valley and working tea estate.
The property’s croquet lawn offers recreational opportunities against the backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery. Afternoon tea served on the veranda showcases single-estate varieties grown on the surrounding slopes, demonstrating the terroir differences within even small geographical areas.
Goatfell
Occupying a former superintendent’s residence above Nuwara Eliya, this intimate four-room property combines plantation history with contemporary design sensibilities. Situated at the end of a winding tea field road, the hillside position ensures complete immersion in the agricultural landscape rather than simply viewing it from afar.
Wood-burning fireplaces warm mountain evenings when temperatures drop significantly in this highland microclimate. Guided walks through the surrounding Concordia Estate reveal the entire tea-making process, from plucking to final production.
Relais & Chateaux Ceylon Tea Trails
Offering unparalleled luxury among working tea plantations, these connected bungalows allow guests to walk between properties through spectacular tea country landscapes. Each residence features a distinctive character reflecting its original purpose within the plantation hierarchy while maintaining consistent service standards.
Private tea tastings conducted by resident experts explain the subtle flavor differences resulting from different elevations within the same plantation. Butler service includes the preparation of traditional plantation meals using recipes preserved from the colonial era.
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Scottish Planter Glendevon Bungalow
Maintained as a faithful representation of colonial plantation life, this intimate property near Nuwara Eliya sits surrounded by organic tea fields at approximately 2,000 meters elevation. The two-bedroom bungalow offers exclusive-use rental, creating private house party atmospheres reminiscent of colonial entertainment.
Morning mist creates dramatic photography opportunities as tea pluckers begin their daily harvest in fields visible from breakfast tables. Traditional English gardens surrounding the property feature plants that thrive in the cool mountain climate reminiscent of the British highlands.
Highland Heritage Experience
What makes these tea field accommodations truly special extends beyond magnificent views – they offer immersion in living agricultural landscapes where centuries-old traditions continue alongside contemporary luxury. While beach resorts and wildlife lodges might showcase Sri Lanka’s natural attributes, these highland retreats connect guests with the human heritage that shaped the nation’s economy and identity.
The rhythmic patterns of tea cultivation create unique aesthetic and sensory experiences impossible to find elsewhere, making these properties destinations rather than merely places to stay while exploring the country.
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