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Ellerton

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Characterful, historic property
- Scenic mountainside setting
- Lovely pool & cuisine
- 45mins drive from Kandy

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Overview

Tucked away in the hills high above the city of Kandy is Ellerton, a boutique villa whose enchanting views and lush surroundings make it a top choice for those with a head for heights. Steeped in local history, it was constructed over 100 years ago for a tea plantation manager and after being carefully preserved and maintained over the years, the property retains much of its colonial architecture and character. It’s currently owned by a British couple, Richard and Cary Goode, who take great pride in their property’s heritage.

The three guest rooms in the Main House are colonial and authentic in style. Overlooking the swimming pool is the Valley House, a recent extension to the hotel whose rooms are consequently a little more modern and stylish. There are also two self-contained Garden Rooms, each with a private bathroom, balcony and sitting area. All rooms are either double or twin and are tastefully decorated with plenty of space and convenient amenities such as ceiling fans, mosquito nets, Wi-Fi and coffee and tea making facilities. Note, however, that there isn’t any air conditioning, although the climate here is generally a lot cooler than elsewhere due to the property’s high altitude.

Meals are served in the Dining Pavilion or in the Main House dining room if it’s chilly or raining. Guests are free to enjoy the buffet breakfast at a time to suit themselves. Lunch is generally light, though more substantial food can be provided on request. The three course dinner prepared by the two resident chefs offers a menu that varies from day to day - even guests who stay here for a week will likely try a different dish every night of their stay.

The vibrant city of Kandy is just half an hour away by car, and home to a wealth of cultural and historic attractions including the Tempe of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’ holiest sites. The city is the second largest in Sri Lanka and lies in a pretty valley surrounded by mountains.

Children of all ages are welcome and some of the guest rooms are interconnected which is ideal for families. There’s plenty for them to do from making use of the swimming pool to going on walking and biking trails to explore the surrounding area and its plantations - the hotel has six mountain bikes that are available to use free-of-charge. The lounge is also a good place for children and their families as there’s a TV and numerous board games to play. Parents should keep an eye on their children at all times due to the hotel’s hilltop location and the presence of local wildlife. Note also that the pool is unfenced and there is no lifeguard on duty.

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Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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