Points South Point of View – The Hill Country – This scenic area of Sri Lanka offers a refreshing contrast to the humid coastline. The scenery is outstanding, with tea estates, cascading waterfalls and panoramic views. The most comfortable way to enjoy this is to take a train journey up into the hills, certain trains from Kandy have an observation carriage. Many of the towns capture a sense of the colonial era with mock Tudor houses and colonial bungalows. Nuwara Eliya is a now on the main tourist trail and rather faded, staying in the countryside will provide a more rewarding experience.
Kandy – The town is most famous for the Temple of the Tooth and the Perahera festival in August. This is when Buddha’s tooth is taken through the town in a nightly procession with many elephants, dancers, acrobats and music. Kandy was also Lord Mountbatten’s headquarters during the second world war. The town has many interesting buildings and the wonderful Peradeniya Botanical gardens are located 6ks from the town.
| Kandy | |
 | Rosyth Estate, Kegalle - Located 1 ½ hours from Kandy, on a tea and rubber estate with outstanding views. The former planters bungalow has been sympathetically restored, with the addition of a contemporary dining area. The ten rooms are located either in the bungalow or in charming separate cottages in the grounds, recently built the Rock Villa looks across the surrounding countryside and offers complete privacy. A pool, spa, and cookery lessons. |
 | The Kandy House - A superbly restored old manor house set in charming gardens. The nine spacious rooms named after indigenous butterflies. Furnished with lovely antique pieces and bright silk furnishings, the property feels more like a home. Lovely pool and bar. Perfect for honeymoons and couples. About 40 minutes’ drive from Kandy. |
 | Rangala House - Rangala House is a former tea planter’s bungalow, facing due west, now a small homestay located on the edge of the Knuckles range of hills, altitude of 1000 metres. The gardens are steeply sloped, with a well planted spice garden. There is a swimming pool and large terrace. There is excellent walking from the property with good birdwatching, and the tea factory at Duckwari is a twenty minute walk. |
 | Madulkelle Eco Lodge - Madulkelle is located on a tea estate with views towards the Knuckles mountain range, the property has eighteen secluded tents, each with a verandah to enjoy the view. The tents have electricity and en-suite shower rooms. The main lodge house has a dining room, bar, billiard table and wood fire. From here there is excellent trekking. The property has a pool, Ayurvedic spa, and library. Note the road to Madulkelle is a rough track across the tea estate for the last 2 miles. |
 | Taylors Hill - Taylors Hill was formally a tea planter’s home, built over 100 years ago close to the Loolecondera estate where tea was first commercially grown in Sri Lanka by James Taylor. The property sits in several acres of gardens, with a pool and tennis court. The interiors effortlessly blend style and comfort with five bedrooms. Two sitting rooms, billiard room, TV room and playroom. Nearby is the Loolecondera estate where tea was first introduced to Ceylon. The factory still uses the original equipment. There is a resident naturalist to take you on local walks. The property is located one and a half hour’s drive from Kandy. |
 | Athulya Villas - Situated about 45 minutes drive from Kandy, this lovely old Manor House has been modernised and houses the restaurant and reception area. With a pool and gardens, Athulya offers an authentic Sri Lankan experience. The five cottages and the heritage suite all overlook the countryside, with excellent bird life. The cottages have a small veranda. |
 | Gal Oya Lodge - Situated in a beautiful location near to Gal Oya National park, this is the perfect place to connect with nature - no wifi, no mobile signal, just birdsong. Spacious cottages built using local materials, the main restaurant is an open side cabana, with a pool, wildlife research centre and resident naturalists. This is the only property in Sri Lanka offering boat safaris. |
 | Camelia Hills, Dickoya - An outstanding location overlooking Castlereagh reservoir, Camelia Hills is a recently built contemporary bungalow with only five rooms, a small pool overlooking the reservoir, and surrounded by tea estates. With walking on the tea estate or just relax on the comfy sofas and soak up the view. The location is remote, so best to stay put and enjoy the property. |
| Nuwara Eliya | |
 | The Hill Club - Founded in 1876, this baronial stone and timbered building retains one of the best preserved colonial interiors in Sri Lanka. With a formal dining room complete with white gloved waiters, a billiard room and a bar. The rooms are comfortable but dated. Lovely gardens with tennis court. |
| Ella | |
 | 98 Acres - An outstanding location with superb views. The twelve cottages all have balconies looking towards Ella Rock. This small Eco resort is set on a tea plantation, with a pool and spa. A great spot for trekking in the hill country. Nearby, they also own a planter’s bungalow with three suite rooms offering more privacy than the resort. Ideal for honeymoons. |
 | Secret Ella - Secret Ella is located in an outstanding location, the newly built chalets have balconies to enjoy the view. There is excellent walking from the property. This is adjacent to 98 Acres. |
 | Nine Skies (Demodera, nr. Ella) - A classic planters bungalow, that has been stylishly refurbished, situated on a tea estate near to Ella, the highest tea growing area in Sri Lanka. The property is best reached by train. For rail enthusiasts nearby is the famous nine arches railway bridge and the Demodera loop. The gardens enjoy far reaching views and a pool. Five spacious rooms overlook the gardens. Meals are taken on the terrace or by the fire in the dining room. |
| Hatton | |
 | Tea Trails - For an exclusive experience with your own private butler. The former tea plantation bungalows have been converted to provide luxury colonial living. The four bungalows are set well apart - Tiensin and Norwood are located in the next valley with a cycling and walking track linking them. Ideal for honeymoons. The estate is situated beside Castlereagh lake, where the water taxi lands. |
| Ambawela | |
 | Warwick Gardens - A former tea estate managers house, in an outstanding location. Substantially built in the 1920's and surrounded by tea gardens. The house has been sympathetically restored using period pieces and colourful fabrics giving the feel of a comfortable country house. With five spacious bedrooms this has the feel of a private home. The property is part of the Jetwing group, renowned for excellent service. The only problem is the access road, about two kilometres of track, but that keeps the crowds away. The nearest station is 6 Ks away at Ambawela. |
| Koslanda | |
 | Living Heritage - Constructed in a traditional style this beautiful property is situated in the lower hill country. An excellent place to break the journey from the hill country to the south coast. With five very spacious rooms set around a central courtyard. The rooms are furnished in a traditional style with a large verandah to relax on. The pool has superb views, there are walks to the nearby waterfall, or just relax and listen to the sounds of the forest. |
| Nuwara Eliya | |
 | Goatfell - Goatfell is located on the Concordia tea estate close to the Finlays tea factory. The famous hill town of Nuwara Eliya is now rather passed its best, so Goatfell is a pleasant alternative to staying in the town. With four bedrooms, superb views and charming gardens with stunning views this is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the hill country. The most enjoyable way to reach here is by train from Kandy. |
