Ceylon Tea Trails

Overview
Rooms
Facilities
Dining

Sri Lanka, once known as Ceylon, is one of the world's historic centers of tea production, replete with rolling green hills and genteel plantation homes. Ceylon Tea Trails, run by the Dilmah Tea Company, has restored four classic colonial bungalows built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj. These historic houses offer guests the unique experience of life on a working tea estate in the highlands (elevation here is over 4,000 feet). The bungalows range in size from four to six rooms and two have their own pools. Summerville and Castlereagh are situated opposite each other on the shores of the Castlereagh Lake, Norwood is at the other end of the valley about 15 minutes away by car and Tientsin is about 30 minutes away in the next valley. Maintained trails with beautiful views run between all the bungalows, and through the surrounding hillsides and plantations. Each house comes with its own manager, chef, butler and houseboys; in-house massage appointments can be arranged. Meals and afternoon tea are prepared by your private chef using gourmet ingredients and produce grown right on the property, and can be served indoors or on the lawn.

Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel enjoys a stunning and unique location, nestled high in the hills of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Tea region, bordering the World Heritage Central Highlands.

Service: Each room and suite comes with a personal butler, who serves guests Bed Tea in the morning and draws them a bath.

History: The world’s first-ever tea bungalow resort, this hotel celebrates the historic tea plants of Ceylon, first discovered over a century ago.

Destination: Bogawantalawa Valley, Sri Lanka
Hotel Type: Resort
Location Type: Urban Retreat

Amenities

Coffee Shop
Golf Onsite Or Nearby
Racquetball/squash On Site
Restaurant
Safety Deposit Boxes
Spa
Wi-Fi In Public Areas

The Ceylon Tea Trails has four bungalows, each with its own characteristic, from a country cottage feel, to another with a high colonial quality. Inside each bungalow are between four to six rooms and suites, available over three categories. Each bungalow c omes with its own manager, chef, butler and houseboys.

Norwood Bungalow

This 50s style bungalow is nearly a century and a half old, having been rebuilt over 60 years ago. It contains spacious suites, an ample lounge, a plentiful library, and majestic colonial-style furniture. Outside is a croquet lawn, a large swimming pool, and a sun deck for lounging under the warm Sri Lankan sun.

Castlereagh Bungalow

The youngest of the four bungalows, Castlereagh has a style all its own. Guests will fall in love with its glorious water views and stunning garden suites. Fireplaces in both the dining and drawing room, amongst parquet floors and classical furniture all add to the simple elegance of this bungalow. An outdoor pool surrounded by plush sun loungers is also provided.

Summerville Bungalow

Sitting at a lofty altitude of 4,000 feet, this bungalow is perched high above the lake at the edge of the tea plantation. Stunning views from such heights are no surprise, and guests will fall in love with the panoramas visible from Summerville's picture windows. A cozy lounge containing a fireplace is the perfect meeting place, while four well-appointed suites provide privacy, some with private gardens.

Tientsin Bungalow

This historical bungalow has kept its colonial charm, having been named after the Chinese town from where the original seedlings came. Delightful English gardens with rose terraces and leafy arbors provide wonderfully relaxing outdoor reading and bird watching spots for guests. Also outside is an ample-sized pool with lovely panoramic views of the majestic mountainous surroundings. There are six rooms and suites, each with polished wooden floors, and many with four-poster beds.