Blog – Page 3 – Avant Adventure

South CoastMarch 31, 2022July 19, 2023 By avantadmin 0

Cape Weligama

Cape Weligama, part of the Relais & Chateaux portfolio, inhabits twelve tropical acres atop a singular promontory above the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, just thirty minutes east of Galle. A collection of Villas & Suites; offering 39 bedrooms in all, create the welcoming illusion of a traditional Sri Lankan village. Yet beneath local terracotta-tiled rooftops, stylish interiors unfold as generously sized contemporary living quarters between 130m2 and 310m2, each surrounded by beautiful gardens. The Suites are in groups of four and can interconnect, ideally suiting families or friends travelling together. The Villas are set within eight stone ringed gardens, with each garden comprising of two to three freestanding Villas and a 15m swimming pool. All accommodations enjoy dining areas and spa facilities.

Accommodation

Nestled into the natural slopes atop Cape Weligama’s striking headland, a collection of 39 Suites and Villas create the welcoming illusion of a traditional Sri Lankan village. Yet beneath local terracotta-tiled rooftops, stylish interiors unfold as generously sized contemporary living quarters, surrounded by tropical gardens, named after a distinguished explorer or writer whose historic Ceylon journey captures the spirit of Cape Weligama.

The Villas are set within eight gardens in the upper part of our headland, comprising two or three Villas in each plus a large shared infinity edge swimming pool. The Ocean Pool Villa and Duplex Two Bedroom Cape Pool Villa enjoy private 15m pools. The Suites are located at the lower level, around the Cove Pool. They are especially well suited to families or friends travelling together.

All accommodations enjoy a large terrace with dining and in-room spa facilities, spacious walk-in wardrobes, Sonos wireless audio, handmade Ophir toiletries, a steam room & large bathrooms with twin vanities and a stone tub.

Pool View Junior Suite

The spacious Pool View Junior Suite offers a Super King bedded room, which can be converted to twin Queen beds, & large bathroom with stone bathtub & steam room. The outdoor verandah is perfect for lounging & dining. The Junior Suite can interconnect with a Master Suite via the verandah. The Suites overlook the Cove pool & tropical gardens.

Pool View Master Suite

The generously sized Pool View Master Suite is exquisitely furnished with a large bedroom & lavish bathroom with stone bathtub & steam room. The verandah is perfect for lounging & dining. The Master Suite can interconnect with a Junior Suite via the verandah. The Suites overlook the Cove pool & tropical gardens.

Ocean Villa

The Ocean Villa features a verandah for relaxation or dining that leads into a tastefully furnished bedroom, large walk-in wardrobe & bathroom with a separate area for the stone bathtub that opens out to the garden. The Villa is surrounded by lush tropical gardens that feature a 15m infinity swimming pool shared with either one or two other villas.

Premier Ocean Villa

The spacious Premier Ocean Villa features a large, well-furnished verandah ideal for relaxation or dining, overlooking lush tropical gardens that feature a 15m infinity swimming pool shared with either one or two other villas. The entrance lobby leads to the elegantly furnished king bedroom & large bathroom with steam room & stone bathtub.

Prestige Ocean Villa

The Prestige Ocean Villa sports a very large verandah for relaxing or dining, overlooking the Indian Ocean & tropical gardens. Inside, the spacious king bedroom is lavishly furnished alongside the separate living room with its own bar. The 15m infinity swimming pool is shared with either one or two other villas.

Grand Ocean Villa

The Grand Ocean Villa boasts 200 square meters of luxury, with our largest verandah for relaxing or dining, overlooking the Indian Ocean & tropical gardens. Inside, the spacious king bedroom is lavishly furnished alongside the separate living room with its own bar. The 15m infinity swimming pool is shared with either one or two other villas.

Ocean Pool Villa

The upper floor Ocean Pool Villa features a luxuriously furnished bedroom, a large bathroom with a stone tub & steam room and an outdoor deck. The stunning highlight is the elevated 15m infinity edge private pool with panoramic Indian Ocean views.

Duplex Two Bedroom Cape Pool Villa

Our top accommodation offers a very large verandah for relaxing or dining, overlooking the Indian Ocean & tropical gardens. On the ground floor, the spacious king bedroom is lavishly furnished alongside the separate living room with its own bar. The staircase on the verandah leads to the upper floor, to the second bedroom with ensuite bathroom, outdoor deck & the spectacular 15m infinity edge private pool with panoramic Indian Ocean views. The Cape Pool Villa is surrounded by lush tropical gardens that feature a second 15m infinity swimming pool shared with either one or two other villas.
* Please note the two bedrooms are not directly connected but via a staircase on the verandah.

Curated Experiences

Our experiences are carefully curated to offer an authentic, intimate and exploratory journey into the heart, soul, history, and gastronomy of this magical island. We also offer activities with healthy doses of fun, adventure and pampering, along with a holistic wellness offering for guests to escape their urban life and soothe mind, body, and soul. A selection of engaging activities for families – with a special selection for kids – are on hand as well, to round out the perfect getaway.

* All experiences will be subject to availability and weather conditions if relevant.

Dining

Allow your taste buds to explore this exotic island on their own! The resort’s restaurants set the bar for fine dining in Sri Lanka. A gourmet paradise, Cape Weligama pays homage to its location with the day’s freshest catch cooked to order at the Ocean Terrace. Savour mouth-watering fare at the Tableau, dramatically poised at the cliff edge, serving beautiful, seasonal and sustainable food in keeping with the ethos of Relais & Chateaux. The dishes are prepared in front of you by Resplendent Ceylon’s chefs and visiting culinarians from around the world. The resort’s handpicked wines complement these extensive East to West menus.

Honouring the deep roots connecting Cape Weligama to this island’s rich history, the Surf Bar provides a relaxed yet refined venue for traditional Ceylon high tea, as well as to linger over sunset cocktails and after-dinner nightcaps under the stars. The Surf Bar sits atop a dramatic cliff that oversees a pristine bay famed for drawing in seasoned surfers from around the world. A casual, eclectic food menu is served with beautifully handcrafted cocktails to sip as you marvel at the beauty of the ocean or catch your favourite sporting event at the bar. All Villas & Suites have dining tables on generous terraces where meals could be served in a private setting, overlooking tropical gardens.

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National ParksMarch 30, 2022March 31, 2022 By avantadmin 0

Wild Coast Tented Lodges

Wild Coast Tented Lodge is adjacent to the Yala National Park, renowned for its dense leopard population. This spectacular luxury tented camp is situated in a stunning location where the jungle meets a pristine beach, overlooking the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Wild Coast Tented Lodge’s unique design, masterminded by a consortium of Dutch, English and Sri Lankan designers, sees the man-made structures blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape thanks to the use of carefully selected natural materials. The use of arched fabric structures allows each of the twenty eight cocoon tents to take on the shape and colour of the rocks and boulders that lay scattered nearby, whilst a clever layout in the shape of a leopard’s paw print alludes to the area’s most famous resident. While our main buildings, made of bamboo, blend in with the distinctive rock formations of Yala, our uniquely shaped tents, called Cocoons & Urchins, truly represent a luxury five star resort room under canvas, offering all amenities including air-conditioning. The open-air bamboo-clad Bar and Dining Pavilion – designed to mirror the boulders scattered across the golden beach beyond – wrap around the resort’s enormous free-form swimming pool. Guests can enjoy creative daily-changing menus of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in the restaurant, as well as sundowner cocktails and picnics al fresco on the sand dunes, watching dusk settle over the Indian Ocean. The library doubles up as an educational centre where guests learn about the wildlife in the park and watch documentaries, further explained by the lodge’s expert guides.

Accommodation

Our Cocoon tents brings to mind an anchored airship. A space that travels from one place to the other and stations temporarily at one location. When it departs, it leaves no footprints. Inspiration is also drawn from the tents of historic military campaigns, especially the concept of a mobile, elaborate interior filled with specially designed, sometimes eccentric dismountable campaign furniture made for travel. The intention is to suggest an atmosphere of antique futurism, a pre-digital era with a mechanical mind frame that evokes a bygone era of luxurious travel.

The interiors fuse expedition chic with contemporary design innovations, from freestanding handmade copper bathtubs to sumptuous four-poster beds. Teak floors and canvas walls complement dark leather touches and repurposed metallic hardware for an eclectic and design-led aesthetic. Four secluded beach facing Pool Cocoons offer private plunge pools, whilst a further sixteen Cocoons, in clusters of four, are dotted around watering holes designed to attract a variety of birdlife and amphibians, which can be viewed from each Cocoon’s outdoor viewing deck. The family area Cocoons sport an adjoining twin-bedded 20m2 Urchin tent, perfect for kids and young adults, and offering privacy and space for parents and children alike.

Cocoon Pool Suite

The 55 sqm Cocoon Pool Suite boast soaring vaulted ceilings, offering jungle views from the double-height double glazed facades. A four-poster king-sized bed and a spacious bathroom is centered around a free-standing handmade copper bathtub. Its décor is a combination of expedition style and contemporary design, highlighted in natural colours and premium materials, from teak floor to dark leather details. The Cocoon Pool Suite boasts its own private plunge pool. The most exclusive rooms offered, there are only four of its kind at Wild Coast.

Cocoon Suite

The 55 sqm Cocoon Suite boast soaring vaulted ceilings, offering jungle views from the double-height double glazed facades. A four-poster king-sized bed and a spacious bathroom is centered around a free-standing handmade copper bathtub. Its décor is a combination of expedition style and contemporary design, highlighted in natural colours and premium materials, from teak floor to dark leather details. The private outdoor viewing deck overlooks a watering hole designed to attract a diverse array of fauna and flora, perfect for early morning bird-watching. The Cocoon Suite offers a most glamorous camping experience.

Family Cocoon Suite with Urchin

We offer 8 Family Cocoon Suites, comprising a 55 sqm Cocoon and an adjoining (about 5m away) twin-bedded 20 sqm Urchin, offering privacy and space for parents and children alike. The Urchin is enchanting for older kids, ideally aged 8 and above. Like the Cocoon the Urchin is uniquely designed to tickle the senses and trigger the imagination. The two single beds in the Urchin are even suitable for adults. An additional futon can be added for a 3rd child in the Urchin.

Location

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s second largest, and most visited park. Located on the southeastern tip of the country, it is bordered by the sea. The area was declared a national park in 1939 and it occupies almost 1,000 square kilometers divided into five blocks each with its own vegetation and characteristics. The park’s vegetation features forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons and everything in between. Although its 44 mammal species and 215 birds are all protected today, the park was originally a hunting grounds during colonial times. What made Yala famous recently is research that indicated that it may have the highest concentration of leopards in the world (although this does not necessarily correlate with exponentially more frequent sightings).

Yala is also a public, national park and appeals to both local and foreign visitors and offers a different experience to that of a South African private game reserve. Our talented team of rangers manage such parameters using their guiding prowess to track animals, avoid crowded areas and deliver an entertaining and detailed narrative – from the smallest critters, flowers, and birds, to the larger, more celebrated species – to deliver a world-class wilderness experience.

Dining

Two Dome-shaped pavilions house the Ten Tuskers bar, restaurant and library, crafted from a woven grid shell bamboo structure clad in reclaimed teak shingles. Large, arched openings and high vaulted ceilings create a strong sense of space and welcome ocean breezes. The pool winds itself between the restaurant and the bar, which are connected by a bridge.

The Ten Tuskers bar serves an array of signature cocktails with local ingredients. The restaurant features gourmet safari cuisine with a Sri Lankan flair. Or dine romantically in our beautiful natural beach garden under a star-studded night sky.

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Hill CountryMarch 30, 2022March 30, 2022 By avantadmin 0

Camellia Hills

Overlooking a mirror-still reservoir in Sri Lanka’s verdant hill country, Camellia Hills sits on a mountainside amidst emerald tea bushes and pine forests. A contemporary interpretation of a tea planter’s bungalow, the 5 luxurious bedrooms, living and dining areas are located across a series of levels, allowing guests to drink in the stunning panoramas while relaxing on cushy sofas warmed by an open fire, dining in the semi open air or swimming lengths in the refreshing garden pool.

Accommodation

There are just five very individual timber-floored bedrooms at Camellia Hills. Each gazes through picture windows over the Castlereagh Reservoir or the lush surrounding hills. Bedrooms are all distinct in design and layout yet equally comfortable and luxurious. The cosiest are our two Camellia Bedrooms while the three roomier Lakeview Bedrooms boast far-reaching views of the entire Castlereagh Valley from private furnished garden terraces.

Bedrooms are usually booked individually, however our boutique bungalow is small enough for groups and families requiring privacy to take the whole house for themselves on an exclusive basis too.

Camellia Bedrooms

Our two stylishly-furnished Camellia Bedrooms are unique in layout and position, yet promise an indulgent stay in the hills. Both bedrooms are equipped with wardrobes, armchairs, desks and ceiling fans, and have private white-tiled ensuite bathrooms with strong showers.

Norton, to the front of the bungalow, is a Castlereagh Lake-facing room with king-sized four-poster bed, sitting area and ensuite bathroom. Twin-bedded Maskeliya gazes south easterly across a lush jungly hillside, and is an elongated room with a private garden-view terrace.

Lakeview Bedrooms

Our three Lakeview Bedrooms are contemporary in arrangement, and are luxuriously furnished with king-sized beds for indulgently gazing over the Castlereagh Valley and lush tea hills. Each bedroom is equipped with wardrobes, armchairs, desks, and ensuite bathroom with a powerful shower and twin wash basins. Two of the three bedrooms also come equipped with a bathtub. Lakeview Bedrooms also directly access the garden from their private furnished terrace.

Dickoya is a big family-friendly bedroom bathed in light. It’s ensuite bathroom, with bathtub, connects it with a second single room with pull-out trundle bed, making it suitable for families of four. Osbourne is unique for its twin aspect mountainside and lake-facing views, and has a private decked terrace and big ensuite bathroom with rain shower and bathtub. Warleigh, on the lower ground floor, opens directly onto the lawn through three sets of French windows. It’s roomy and secluded, and a favourite with honeymooners.

Location

The Castlereagh Valley, near Dickoya, is a country standout for its absorbing scenery – an arresting panorama of rich greens and blues. At its heart is a mirror-still reservoir dotted with islands that floods seven kilometers of a long, deep valley. Flanking Castlereagh Reservoir on either side are steeply rising hills sporting acres of neatly manicured tea estates topped by thick manes of trees. Whether the sun is shining in a cornflower blue sky or the clouds are descending into the mountains en masse, the views from the bungalow are always dramatic.

The closest town to Camellia Hills is Dickoya, a bustling settlement standing at an elevation of 1,200-metres, notable for its colonial-era clubhouse, the Castlereagh and Dickoya Cricket Club (formerly the Daramulla Club) whose ageing timber-panelled interiors take you back in time. Enroute to Dickoya is Warleigh Church, a bijou British-era lake-facing chapel whose graveyard is littered with tombstones engraved with European names – testament to the region’s colonial history where European planters crossed oceans to carve out a future in Ceylon Tea.

One of the best ways to travel into and within the Hill Country is by train, and the closest railway station to Camellia Hills is Hatton, a busy provincial town with a lively local market. Alternatively, swoop in on a seaplane, landing in Castlereagh Reservoir, and transported up to the bungalow along the tea lined estate roads.

Dining

Camellia Hills is your home-from-home in Sri Lanka’s emerald hills. Butlers are poised to pamper guests and dining here is relaxed, personalised and atmospheric. The views take centre stage too; sip sundowners beside the crackling fireplace in the convivial high-ceilinged sitting room while gazing at the far-reaching valley views or feast on delicious contemporary dishes from a curated Sri Lankan and international menu from a breezy lake-facing terrace.

Guests will dine on an All-Inclusive basis which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, complimentary soft drinks, beer and house wine, alcohol with mixers and tea or coffee throughout the day.

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West CoastMarch 30, 2022July 23, 2023 By avantadmin 0

The Wallawwa

Set in an exquisitely renovated colonial manor house – occupied at one time by the Royal Air Force during World War II – our award-winning boutique hotel is enclosed by 200-year old tropical gardens and is home to 18 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, a gorgeous palm-fringed swimming pool, a heavenly spa, garden restaurant and library.

Accommodation

Our eighteen bedrooms and suites gracefully blend the character of an 18th century manor house with bold contemporary additions. Super soft linen dresses four-poster beds positioned to gaze into the gardens, and little details such as vintage phones and bold prints infuse rooms with a retro-contemporary vibe.

Relax in peace and privacy in one of our chicly styled Wallawwa Bedrooms or choose a more spacious Garden Suite for their large bathrooms and open terraces beside lush border-fringed lawns. Families can take advantage of our interconnecting bedrooms and suites, and our ultimate extravagance is the two-bedroom Mountbatten Suite with private plunge pool.

Wallawwa Bedroom

Stylish bedrooms designed to pamper guests with all the essentials for a good night’s sleep, including luxurious four-poster beds adorned with crisp linen sheets and lightweight duvets. Equipped with mini bars, retro phones and cable televisions, Wallawwa Bedrooms have ensuite terrazzo-lined wet rooms with rain showers. They are perfect for those looking for stylish yet affordable accommodation near Colombo Airport.

-King size bed

-Terrace

-Garden View

-Air-conditioning

Garden Suite

Spacious and light-filled, the Garden Suites overlook and directly access lush lawned gardens fringed by borders of tropical shrubs. Ideal for post-flight lounging, they feature king-sized or twin four-poster beds, comfy armchairs, day bed window seats, ensuite wetroom with rainshower and further cushy seating on a private garden veranda. Amenities include mini bars, cable televisions and retro phones.

-King size bed

-Terrace

-Garden view

-Air-conditioning

Family Suite

Our garden-gazing two-bedroom Family Suites promise each member of the family comfort, space and exclusivity. These private havens comprise of a double Garden Suite with ensuite wet room and a smaller, interconnecting twin-bedded Wallawwa Bedroom with its own bathroom and rain shower. Suites directly access the garden, and in-room amenities include cable televisions, mini bars and retro phones.

-King size bed

-Terrae

-Garden view

-Additional twin bedroom

Mountbatten Suite

The two-bedroom Mountbatten Suite is as generous as a private villa, boasting a sitting room and a private garden with plunge pool. The master bedroom has a grand four-poster garden-facing bed and an ensuite bathroom with rain shower and freestanding bathtub, and its open plan design incorporates a sofa-furnished lounge. The second bedroom – furnished with queen-sized twin beds – also has its own shower room. The suite is equipped with walk-through wardrobes, cable television, retro phone and mini bar.

-Living area

-Private garden

-Plunge pool

-Bathtub

Location

The Wallawwa is conveniently located not only for Colombo Airport but also for seeing Colombo’s shops and sights, and exploring the busy fishing town of Negombo. The rural region surrounding the hotel is enhanced with old temples, and a good road connection to Kandy. This means that lowland tea estates and elephant sanctuaries are an easy day trip away.

Colombo offers a great, high energy contrast to The Wallawwa’s serene manicured gardens, and the city is a rapidly emerging cosmopolitan capital equipped with healthy food cafes, upscale restaurants, original shops and excellent contemporary art galleries. Colombo’s origins date back to the 16th century, and the city’s ageing colonial-era buildings, wonderfully contrast with the rapidly increasing shiny-new high rises.

Negombo, a well-developed west coast beach town, is a 30-minute drive from The Wallawwa. A vibrant centre of Sri Lanka’s fishing trade, Negombo has more than its fair share of Gothic churches, and its predominantly Catholic residents are testament to the town’s nickname, Little Rome. The town’s beach is a long, wide stretch of sand flanked by large hotels, while the lagoon and Muthurajawela Wetlands form an important wildlife reserve.

Dining

Our convivial open-sided restaurant, The Verandah, serves exquisite a la carte Asian Fusion cuisine throughout the day to tables overlooking the 200-year-old tropical gardens. Our innovative menus use the finest local ingredients, and many of the fruits, vegetables and herbs used in our freshly cooked meals are plucked daily from our extensive kitchen garden.

Our chefs can cater to all dietary requirements with prior notice, and a kid’s menu, BBQ menu and in-room dining menu are also available.

A selection of fine wines, cocktails, spirits and beers perfectly complement our menus.

We welcome outside diners and the restaurant is conveniently located near Colombo and Negombo making it perfect for enjoying your last meal in Sri Lanka before a long haul flight.

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Hill Country Inland Private VillasMarch 14, 2022July 19, 2023 By avantadmin 0

Ceylon Tea Trails – Tientsin 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. The suites are oversized with imposing heritage style furniture, some with four-poster beds and very elegant bathrooms. A spacious lounge and billiard room lead out to a croquet lawn, a large swimming pool and sun deck. It is here where planters of the past invited friends to enjoy the pristine air and glorious outlook. You too can wander the gardens unchanged since yesteryear, soaking up the atmosphere of a time gone by.

Accommodation

Irvine Stewart Master Suite

91 sq.m – king bed, separate living room, bath, walk in rain shower, view across valley & tea fields

Bretherton Garden Suite

45 sq.m – king bed, bath with rain shower, private verandah with garden view

Moir Garden Suite

43 sq.m – king bed, bath with rain shower, private verandah with garden view

Fraser Garden Suite

36 sq.m – king bed, bath with rain shower, private verandah with garden view

Bremer Luxury Room

44 sq.m – king bed, bath with rain shower, garden view

Meares Luxury Room

40 sq.m – twin beds, bath with hand shower, garden view

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Hill Country Inland Private VillasMarch 14, 2022July 19, 2023 By avantadmin 0

Ceylon Tea Trails – Norwood Bungalow

Accommodation

Hazel Master Suite

62 sq.m – King bed, separate living room, bath and walk-in rain shower, view of private garden and tea fields.

Irvine Garden Suite

45 sq.m – King bed, bath and walk-in rain shower, view to private garden.

Andrews Garden Suite

46 sq.m – King bed, bath with rain shower, view to private garden.

Trevldwyn Garden Suite

39 sq.m – King bed, bath and walk-in rain shower, view to private garden.

Jeffery Luxury Room

31 sq.m – King bed, bath with rain shower, garden view, direct garden access.

Wyatt Luxury Room

30 sq.m – Twin beds, bath and walk-in rain shower, garden view, direct garden access.

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Hill Country Inland Private VillasMarch 14, 2022July 19, 2023 By avantadmin 0

Ceylon Tea Trails – Summerville Bungalow

High above the lake at the edge of a tea plantation, Summerville stands sentinel. This five-room bungalow enjoys magnificent views of the water and beyond to tea planted mountains in the distance. Some suites open to private gardens and all accommodations have easy access to the cozy lounge where picture windows provide a backdrop to a roaring fire as the evening mist draws in. Summerville offers individual accommodation, or the entire bungalow can be booked for a group to enjoy the very personal atmosphere of this great house.

Accommodation

Shuttleworth Master Suite

70 sq.m – King bed, separate living room, bath & walk in rain shower, private garden.

Garnet Garden Suite

45 sq.m – King bed, bath with rain shower, view of private garden.

Goddard Garden Suite

47 sq.m – King bed, bath with rain shower, view of private garden.

Cosby Garden Suite

45 sq.m – King bed, bath & walk in rain shower, view of private garden.

Middleton Luxury Room

38 sq.m – Twin beds, bath with rain shower, garden view.

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Hill Country Inland Private VillasMarch 13, 2022March 13, 2022 By avantadmin 0

Ceylon Tea Trails – Dunkeld Bungalow

Poised high above Castlereagh lake, the Dunkeld bungalow looks down on the verdant tea fields of Dunkeld estate and the tea factory, with spectacular views of the Great Western mountain range. The infinity-edge swimming pool offers awe-inspiring panoramic views, whilst the hot tub seemingly floats above the lake surface. The secluded ‘Owner’s Cottage’ offers a romantic one-bedroom residence hidden privately in the tea fields.

Accommodation

Taylor Owners Cottage

145 sq.m – standalone bungalow with lake views, heated outdoor Jacuzzi, master bedroom with king bed, living room and verandah

Greig Master Suite

81 sq.m – king bed, separate living room, bath, walk in shower, garden and mountain view

Anderson Garden Suite

48 sq.m – king bed, bath, walk in shower, private verandah, garden and mountain view

Clark Garden Suite

48 sq.m – king bed, bath, walk in shower, private verandah, garden and mountain view

Allen Luxury Room

48 sq.m – twin beds, bath, walk in shower, garden and mountain view

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Hill Country Inland Private VillasMarch 13, 2022March 13, 2022 By avantadmin 0

Ceylon Tea Trails – 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. Nestled in a wooded dell close to the water, this century-old bungalow offers unrivalled water views and superb garden suites to suit every taste. Elegant parquet floors all around with open fireplaces in the dining and drawing rooms, evoke recollections of the life and times of the tea planters who once lived here. In the extensive grounds, summerhouses can be found where tea is served, and a good book enjoyed until the sun goes down over the water and it’s time for sundowners on the terrace overlooking the lake.

Accommodation

Baker Garden Suite

45 sq.m – king bed, bath and walk-in rain shower, view of tea fields & mountains, private verandah & garden.

Alston Garden Suite

46 sq.m – king bed, bath and walk-in rain shower, view of tea fields, private verandah and garden.

Palmer Garden Suite

36 sq.m – king bed, bath and walk-in rain shower, view of tea fields and private garden.

Jamieson Garden Suite

40 sq.m – king bed, bath and walk-in rain shower, view of lake & tea fields, private garden.

Tate Luxury Room

41 sq.m – twin beds, bath and walk-in rain shower, view of tea fields.

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Hill Country Inland Private VillasMarch 13, 2022March 13, 2022 By avantadmin 0

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.