Nine Skies

Promising far-reaching hill country views, our stylishly refurbished five-bedroom tea bungalow hotel is majestically perched on a tea-fringed hill near Ella. Dating back to the colonial era, the bungalow epitomises its legacy yet indulges discerning guests with contemporary facilities and high-end personalised service – be pampered by our butlers, feast on gourmet food and dip into a garden pool with stunning views across the valley and famous Demodera Loop.

Bask in the heady atmosphere of Sri Lanka’s tea country in one of our five bedrooms and suites, which open onto garden terraces blessed with wonderful views. All rooms are stylishly furnished and have en-suite bathrooms with tubs for soaking in after scenic strolls around the tea plantations.

The homely bungalow has three rooms types. Our magnificent Ella Rock Suite has a private sitting room, direct garden access and is decadently spacious while our three double Demodera Bedrooms proffer private luxury in a setting redolent of days gone by. Nine Skies Bedroom is equipped with twin beds, and since this cosy room interconnects with a Demodera Bedroom, it is ideal for families.

Accommodation

Bask in the heady atmosphere of Sri Lanka’s tea country in one of our five bedrooms and suites, which open onto garden terraces blessed with wonderful views. All rooms are stylishly furnished and have ensuite bathrooms with tubs for soaking in after scenic strolls around the tea plantations.

The homely bungalow has three rooms types. Our magnificent Ella Rock Suite, has a private sitting room, direct garden access and is decadently spacious while our three double Demodera Bedrooms proffer private luxury in a setting redolent of days gone by. Nine Skies Bedroom is equipped with twin beds, and since this cosy room interconnects with a Demodera Bedroom, it is ideal for families.

Nine Skies Bedroom

An atmospheric, timber-floored bedroom with twin beds that promotes long, restful sleeps, and offers direct access onto a private garden terrace. The bedroom interconnects with a Demodera Bedroom, and has a private ensuite bathroom.

Demodera Bedroom

Gaze at the garden from a beautifully-dressed king-sized bed in these indulgent double bedrooms, which also have private furnished sit outs for surveying the surrounding tea estate. They have sitting areas and ensuite bathrooms with rain showers and bathtubs.

Ella Rock Suite

Our master suite is an indulgent room offering a plentiful private space for you to relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings. Stylish and very comfortable, the room offers a king-sized four-poster bed, large private sitting room and French windows opening onto a private terrace.

Location

Nine Skies is a 10-minute stroll from Demodara Railway Station and 15-minutes’ drive to Ella. A train to Demodera Railway Station on the Hill Country’s scenic Main Line, is the best way to reach the hotel. Kandy is four hours away and Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya) is 90 minutes.

The Main Line links Colombo Fort to Badulla, in the eastern Hill Country, and winds through picturesque hills, cloud forest, market gardens, tea estates, waterfalls and valleys. Designed by the British to transport tea to the capital, the Main Line started operations in 1864, reaching Kandy in 1867 and Nanu Oya in 1885 before the Badulla stretch finally opened in 1924. The line rises as high as 1,890-metres, and was expertly engineered with a unique 360-degree loop of track that winds around the Demodara Railway Station.

The stretch between Ella and Demodara is significant for its nine-arched bridge locally known as “Ahas Navaya” (Nine Skies) so named for the nine skies one sees framed by the arches of the viaduct.

Nearby Ella is a view-blessed village that stands on the edge of the south eastern hills. Views from Mini Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock – two great hikes – peer down the valley, through the Ella Gap towards the southern plains. Ella is a great outdoorsy destination with the undulating forest-edged terrain sprinkled with tea estates, rice fields and vegetable patches.

Dining

Dining in Ella reaches new heights at our atmospheric restaurant which overlooks our landscaped garden. Our butlers are poised to pamper you in a home from home setting, mixing your favourite drinks for sipping in the sitting room, and serving afternoon tea and freshly cooked gourmet meals to tables inside the bungalow or out on the garden veranda.

Rates are all inclusive, so expect to tuck into a hearty breakfast, a ‘Planter’s Lunch’ – a selection of daily curries – afternoon tea and later, an a la carte dinner.

Snacks and drinks, including your favourite alcoholic tipples – best enjoyed on the covered terrace or in the cosy sitting room – are also included in the daily rate.