The Romance Valley, Haputale, Sri Lanka

Perched in the southern part of the Hill Country of Sri Lanka, Romance Valley is a private luxury villa that manages to feel both intimate and dramatically open to the landscape around it. Situated along the Colombo–Wellawaya road via Beragala, at about the 189km post, the property sits roughly four hours by road from Colombo — far enough from the city to feel truly removed, yet close enough to Haputale town to make excursions straightforward.

What sets the villa apart is the way its architecture refuses to compete with its setting. A contemporary glass-wall structure wraps the living spaces, offering an unobstructed 70km view across mountains, valleys, lakes and forests, as well as across the southern region of the island. The video captures exactly this quality: the sense that the building exists primarily to frame the view rather than to contain it.

Accommodation

Romance Valley consists of two luxury units, each with its own contemporary living area. Beyond the celebrated views, each unit is equipped with a television, DVD/CD player, minibar and hair dryer. The bathroom includes a full-size bathtub alongside a separate shower area. Outside, an infinity plunge pool allows guests to take a dip while the panorama stretches away in every direction.

Facilities and Dining

The villa operates with a 24-hour butler service, ensuring that guests' needs are attended to at any hour. A daily valet service is also available. Dining caters to both Sri Lankan and western palates, with all-day dining specials and an alfresco experience across two dining terraces. Room service is offered as an additional option, and the villa's private terraces — cosy and numerous — provide quiet corners for those who simply want to sit with the view. With prior booking, guests can arrange authentic Ayurvedic treatments, including herbal oil massages and herbal baths.

The Surrounding Area

Haputale town itself offers a variety of natural and architectural sites alongside activities such as trekking and hiking. The Adisham Bungalow, which was once the manor of Sir Thomas Villiers, is now a monastery run by Benedictine monks, with a section of the mansion open to the public. The Diyaluma Falls, described as the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, lies about 13km from Wellawaya. For the more adventurous, hiking along the Namunukula range is considered a rewarding undertaking.

The Horton Plains, with the highest plains and highest gap in Sri Lanka, are another highlight of the region. A trek of about 5km through the plains leads to the World's End Gap, a viewpoint of considerable drama. The nearby towns of Bandarawela and Diyatalawa open up further exploration among tea estates and gushing streams. Haputale town itself is served by both a train station and a central bus station, making the area accessible by multiple modes of travel.