Tea Trails is the world's first tea bungalow resort, perched at an altitude of 1250 metres in Sri Lanka's panoramic Ceylon tea region, bordering the World Heritage Central Highlands. It is Sri Lanka’s first Relais & Chateaux resort. This iconic collection of five restored colonial era tea planters' bungalows offers period furnishings, gracious butler service & gourmet cuisine. Bungalows vary from 4 to 6 rooms & suites; 26 rooms in all. Book an individual room or a group could reserve a complete bungalow. Each of the five bungalows is unique - lakeside Castlereagh. Summerville & Dunkeld, Norwood with panoramic views and Tientsin, the most traditional colonial. The bungalows are connected by walking trails through scenic Ceylon tea gardens. Follow the Tea Trail from one unique bungalow to the next, staying a night or two at each or just laze in one. Heritage with a contemporary style and non-hotel, private house ambiance is the hallmark of the award-winning Tea Trails experience.

Accommodation

Rooms are named after tea planters who lived in the bungalow. They offer a taste of colonial-era luxury with solid teak furnishings, antique touches and plush beds. Master Suites with a separate living room, Garden Suites with verandahs to private gardens and Luxury Rooms of great character. A secluded Owner's Cottage. Relax in immense four-poster beds, crisp white sheets. Twenty six elegant and charming rooms and suites decorated each in an unique style, ranging from neo-colonial to classic English.
A dedicated butler service will be available to guests from dawn to dusk to ensure that no request is too much trouble. Guests are treated to traditional morning 'Bed Tea' to start the day in style.

Norwood Bungalow
The bungalow at Norwood commands a fine view of the eastern end of the Bogawantalawa valley and rests in the shelter of one of the finest bamboo stands to be found anywhere.

Tientsin Bungalow
Step into the world of Tientsin and step back in time. Named after the Chinese village from which the original tea seedlings came, this very British residence is a historical landmark.

Castlereagh Bungalow
Travellers approaching Castlereagh from the road can glimpse tantalising views across the lake of this magnificent symbol of the glory days of colonial life.

Summerville Bungalow
High above the lake at the edge of a tea plantation, Summerville stands sentinel. This four-room bungalow enjoys magnificent views of the water and beyond to tea planted mountains in the distance.

Dunkeld Bungalow
Poised high above Castlereagh lake, the bungalow looks down on the verdant tea fields of Dunkeld estate and the tea factory, with spectacular views of the Great Western mountain range.

Facilities

Sweeping lawns and swimming pools. English gardens filled with roses, dew filled agapanthus and spring crocus. Tea on the lawn with Dundee cake, scones, strawberries and cream or lunch alfresco by the pool, a summerhouse to meditate in or watch the forest wagtail flit from tree to tree. Tennis, swimming, croquet and classic board games all come together for a leisurely lifestyle. Without a doubt, the best bungalows in Sri Lanka.

Things to do

Work the gourmet meals off with a dawn expedition to climb the famed 2250m Adam's Peak holy mountain. The Peak has been an object of worship & pilgrimage by kings and commoners for centuries. Take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage sacred city of Kandy or drive through the tea fields to Nuwara Eliya, an old colonial 'hill station' with its scenic 125 year old 18 hole championship golf course.
Adam's Peak
Nuwara Eliya
Kandy
Horton Plains National Park

Location

The five Tea Trails bungalows lies nestled among the hills of the Bogawantalawa region in the Dimbula district in south central Sri Lanka. It is here that the creme de la creme of Ceylon teas - the fragrant and delicately flavoured "high growns" flourish. Bogawantalawa is known as "The Golden Valley" on account of its lush, vigorous tea bushes that produce full bodied to light, delicate and fragrant teas throughout the year. This is perhaps the most famous region for Ceylon Tea and one of the first areas to be planted after tea took over from coffee in Ceylon in the 1870's. The area covers the extensive western slopes of the tea planting districts. The five Tea Trails bungalows are located between 2 km and 15km from each other. This is the ideal setting for trekking and biking against the breathtaking backdrop of mountains, lakes, winding roads and waterfalls.