Highlights
- Luxury property with sumptuous, colonial feel
- Pool, tennis courts, mountain bikes
- Tea plantation tours and nearby lake
- White water rafting, sea plane trips
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireThe majestic Ceylon Tea Trails resort is found nestled in the Bogawantalawa region of Sri Lanka’s famed ‘Tea Country’, known for its spectacular mountain views and lush and vigorous tea bushes which produce delicious and fragrant tea throughout the year. The five luxurious bungalows that make up the resort were originally built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj, and now boast the iconic status that comes with having been the world’s first ‘tea bungalow resort’. Today, the restored bungalows feature period furnishings, open fireplaces, and butler service. Chefs serve gourmet cuisine in the dining room, on a terrace overlooking the swimming pool, or in guest rooms, and there’s plenty to do both at the hotel and in the surrounding area.
The sumptuous accommodation comprises five very private bungalows which are well spaced-out across the property; Norwood, Tientsin, Castlereagh, Summerville, and Dunkeld. Each bungalow has between four and six rooms ranging from garden or master suites, to luxury rooms. They all house a comfortable seating area, wide verandas, and fabulous views of the nearby lake. There’s a dedicated manager, chef and butler for every bungalow, and the communal sitting room and library create a relaxed and sociable ‘home from home’ atmosphere. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon cream tea and dinner are all included.
Guests can enjoy a dip in the inviting pool, or work up a sweat on the tennis court, and the surrounding area offers a wealth of opportunities for exploring and sightseeing. The resort provides complimentary mountain bikes for exploring the tea gardens, the forest, or the nearby lake. Alternatively, guests can opt to walk to the tea gardens and join a group tour to learn about the tea making process and enjoy a tasting session. White water rafting is on offer in Kitulgala, which is 75 minutes away, and Kandy and Nuwara Eliya are fantastic destinations within relatively easy reach. A trip by seaplane to the bustling tea-hub town of Hatton is another possibility. Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city, is a five hour car journey away.
Children are welcome at Ceylon Tea Trails. Although there are no specific facilities for them, it’s easy to keep younger family members entertained with the swimming pool and tea plantation tours. Note that there is no babysitting service and parents are reminded to supervise their children at all times.
I would like to say a massive thank you for organising our Vietnam trip. The itinerary and execution were superb, as was the attention to detail. I would also like to thank the agent who was on the end of my whats app chat (I have no idea who they were!) – always available, always quick to respond, and kept me updated regarding times etc. Also, the guides Dan (north) and Tien (mid) were just excellent, and we really enjoyed their company. The lady (whose name I have forgotten) who was our additional guide for the DMZ day was exceedingly good and made that day very special.
fiona g reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families on 15 April 2024
Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!
Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.
Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!
All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.
Thanks you once again!
Hardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024
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
Juhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024