Melheim Resort, Haputale, Sri Lanka

Nestled in Beragala, Haputale, the Melheim Resort is an idyllic cocoon of calm set deep in Sri Lanka's hill country. The drive from Colombo takes around three and a half hours — a journey that, by all accounts, is worth every minute once the resort's surroundings come into view. Located 240 km from Colombo and 230 km from Sri Lanka's international airport, it sits at an elevation where the sky itself becomes part of the experience: shrouded in mist one moment and a carpet of blue the next, with evenings that offer a blazing blend of hues quite unlike anything found at lower altitudes.

Gushing in the neighbourhood are some of Sri Lanka's most celebrated waterfalls — Diyaluma, Dunhida, Bambarakanda and Duvili Ella — lending the landscape a constant sense of movement and life that complements the resort's unhurried pace.

Accommodation

The resort offers 9 luxurious guest rooms, each with its own private deck that opens out to a scenic view of the surrounding mountains. A steam room is available for guests seeking deeper relaxation after a day spent exploring the highlands.

Facilities

Melheim Resort is well appointed for both comfort and leisure. Guests have access to a swimming pool with a Jacuzzi, a steam room, satellite television and hot water in all rooms, internet facilities, and a restaurant serving both eastern and western cuisine.

Excursions and Nearby Attractions

The resort's location places a remarkable range of natural and cultural sites within easy reach. Among the highlights are Horton Plains, World's End and Baker's Falls, reachable in around one and a half hours. Adisham in Haputale is just 25 minutes away, while Lipton Seat can be reached in about an hour.

Waterfall enthusiasts are particularly well served. Bambarakanda Falls — the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka — and Diyaluma Falls — the second highest — are each roughly 30 minutes from the resort. Rawana Falls is about 50 minutes away, and Dunhida Falls around one and a half hours.

For those drawn to history and heritage, Dowa Temple is approximately 45 minutes distant, the ancient Bogada wooden bridge about one and a half hours, and the rock carvings at Buduruwagala around an hour away. The Samanala Wewa Dam Project is a 30-minute excursion, while Udawalawe Park and the Elephant Orphanage can be reached in approximately two hours.