Highlights
- Characterful, historic property
- Scenic mountainside setting
- Lovely pool & cuisine
- 45mins drive from Kandy
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireTucked 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.
We had such a good holiday. You did a fantastic job!
The house in Marrakesh was ridiculous. We effectively had it to ourselves. The accommodation was borderline palatial.
I actually think that the time we had in Marrakesh was sufficient. We could potentially have done a day by a pool but I think we’d done enough souk-ing by the end of Day Two.
The hotel in the mountains was a shade more rustic than I was expecting, but all great fun. Stunning views. The guide / mule / cook team were excellent and our guide (Hassan) tailored the treks to our capabilities well. He was superb, and really made an effort with the kids. The second and third day of trekking were particularly good. Such an adventure for the kids.
All the logistics worked seamlessly. Every aspect went like clockwork. Top marks. The advice on tipping was also much appreciated (I hate thinking that I’m getting mugged off or am potentially not giving enough…).
From my seven-year-old son:
I thought it was GREAT. The food was amazing and the culture was very interesting. My favourite bit was scrambling up rocks in the Atlas Mountains.
In retrospect, I’d probably do the trip in reverse. Flopping on the roof terrace after the rigours of the mountains would have been even more satisfying.
Henry O
reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains
on 05 June 2025
We just wanted to thank you for an absolutely amazing holiday. Everything went exactly to plan and we were blown away with the quality of the guides, transport and accommodation. The itinerary was perfect for our family with a great mix of guided and free days and the different destinations complemented each other well. We will definitely be using Tourdust again for our next trip! Particular highlights were the Ha Long Bay cruise, Hanoi, and the morning cycle tour in Siam Reap
Jane P
reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families
on 14 May 2025
We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.
Emma M
reviewing Best of Botswana for Families
on 18 November 2024