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The Oliphant is a colonial planter's bungalow with seven rooms, run by Hayleys as part of the Boutique Collection by Amaya, high above Nuwara Eliya at Shanthipura. Its official name is Oliphant Boutique Villa by Amaya. The single-storey house, with black-and-white gables and green roofs, stands in its own lawns and flower beds among the tea estates of Shanthipura, which the hotel describes as the highest village on the island, at about 2,300 metres (7,600 feet). Inside it is furnished as a tea planter's home, with four-poster beds and a fireplace in every room.
All the bedrooms are in one category, and the house can also be booked in its entirety for a family or a group of friends.
Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out by 12 noon. Your driver can be given accommodation and meals at the villa for a small charge; mention it when you book.
There are no buffets: meals are à la carte or set menus of continental and traditional Sri Lankan dishes, and you can take them almost anywhere on the property, from breakfast in bed to lunch on the lawn or dinner by the fire. The highlight is high tea, laid out by the resident pastry chef with chocolate-covered strawberries, mini doughnuts, croissants and homemade chocolates, and served with a pot of Ceylon tea, often outdoors in the garden.
The Oliphant is a place to slow down. There is a well-stocked library for a book by the fire, a collection of indoor games such as carrom and rummy, and afternoon tea on the lawn. A 15-minute drive takes you to the Shanthipura viewpoint, which gives a 360-degree view over the mountains, villages and plantations, and from which you can try to pick out the bungalow and its neighbouring tea factory.
Nuwara Eliya town is about 8 kilometres away by road, a drive of 20 minutes or more, and the villa can arrange transport for the day. The hotel suggests a tour of "Little England" and Lake Gregory, a round at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, and a day taking in the Pedro Tea Factory, Lover's Leap waterfall and the Moon Plains. Walkers can trek up Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka's highest mountain, and further out are Hakgala Botanical Gardens and Ambewela Farm. In April, around the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Nuwara Eliya comes alive with horse races at the racecourse and motorcycle road races.
Yes, and the hotel calls it the most scenic way to reach the hill country. The nearest station is Nanu Oya, on the Main Line about 4 kilometres away in a straight line, where the villa can arrange a vehicle to collect you.
The villa is about 158 kilometres by road from Bandaranaike International Airport, 177 kilometres from Colombo and 72 kilometres from Kandy. The simplest way to arrive is a private transfer from Colombo airport to The Oliphant, which takes you all the way to the door.
It suits couples, families and small groups who want a quiet, homely stay in a period house in the cool hills, with fires, high tea and walks rather than the bustle of a large hotel; a group can take over the whole bungalow. Its sister in the same collection, Langdale by Amaya, is about 6 kilometres away in a straight line. See the other Amaya Resorts & Spas properties, or our places to stay in Nuwara Eliya.
Bookable activities, tours, and tickets within a 25 km radius.
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from LKR 12,000
Pre-book a private vehicle for arrival, departure, or onward travel.
