Ceybank Rest, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Formerly known as the Heritage Hotel, Ceybank Rest sits in the heart of Nuwara Eliya — Sri Lanka's celebrated tea country, affectionately called Little England — approximately 180 km and a five-hour drive from Colombo. The property is well suited to budget-conscious travellers and those with a fondness for colonial heritage, offering a calm, unhurried atmosphere that feels very much in keeping with the cool hill-country setting.

The nearest railway station is Nanu Oya, about 5 km from town along the Colombo–Badulla main highland railway line, making the property reasonably accessible for guests arriving by train as well as by road.

Accommodation

Ceybank Rest provides 20 guestrooms that radiate old-world charm through their classical architecture and antique furniture — a deliberate echo of the colonial era in Sri Lanka. All rooms are adequately furnished and look out over the beautiful surroundings. IDD telephones are available in the rooms, and room service is offered for added convenience.

Dining and the Bar

The cosy Dining Room serves both Eastern and Western cuisine, with Table d'hôte and À la carte menus for guests to choose from. The Bar complements the restaurant with a wide range of foreign and Sri Lankan beverages — including arrack — as well as a selection of cocktails. A large, well-maintained landscaped garden surrounds the premises, providing a relaxing retreat at any time of day.

Additional Facilities

Beyond dining and accommodation, the management offers a doctor on call, laundry service, and a wake-up call service. The garden itself is a facility in its own right — spacious, carefully tended, and ideal for a quiet stroll in the mountain air.

Nearby Attractions

Just five minutes from Ceybank Rest is the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, an 18-hole course that spreads over 90 acres and is over 100 years old — one of the area's most recognisable landmarks. Lake Gregory, the Sita Temple (which carries connections to the epic tale of the Ramayana), the Bambaragama Falls, and Mount Piduruthalagala — the highest peak in Sri Lanka — are all within reach of the property.

For nature lovers, the Haggala Gardens is an ornamental garden approximately 10 km from Nuwara Eliya, filled with shrubbery, ferns, shady groves, lush foliage, and flowers. Its Rose Garden alone features over 100 varieties of roses. The management at Ceybank Rest also arranges excursions to the Haggala Botanical Gardens and to the Horton Plains, making it straightforward for guests to explore the wider highland region.