This 100yr old bungalow was once formerly the home of Lord Louis Mountbatten when he was based in Ceylon during the 2nd World War. Having now been refurbished, it still retains a feel of that bygone Victorian era. Being only 15mins from Kandy, it is an ideal location to explore the city, yet be in a tranquil situation with great views of the Kandyan hills. The bungalow is surrounded by six and a half acres of beautiful gardens. A recent addition are the wooden garden chalets which offer the latest of modern comforts while preserving British elegance.
The Deer Park Hotel near Polonnaruwa stands close to Giritale Lake, in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.
Located near to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa – a world heritage site and part of the stunning cultural-triangle along with Anuradhapura and Dambulla – the Deer Park Hotel makes a very convenient base for travellers to Sri Lanka looking to explore the ancient treasures this amazing island has to offer.
Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge is situated in a 25 acre tea plantation which is in the Knuckles Mountain range and at around 3200ft has amazing views down the valley. It is an extremely unusual hotel (the first of its kind in Sri Lanka) where all the accommodation is in individual tented lodges but with proper floors, beds and own bathroom facilities. It is a really fantastic experience to wake up and go out onto your own terrace and enjoy all the nature that is around. The main Lodge which has the feel of a tea planter’s bungalow, houses reception and the restaurant/bar (where there is a log fire). Breakfast can be taken on the terrace, there where you can enjoy the fantastic views of the gardens, pool and the mountains beyond. It does get cooler in the evenings here, as you are quite high up in the mountains.
This beautiful hotel is popular with more up-market tour groups and independent travellers in Sri Lanka. The 137 hotel rooms are located in two storey villas which are dotted through the beautiful extensive wooded gardens and are all linked by winding pathways. There are three restaurants in the hotel which offer not only international cuisine but very local cuisine. One of the restaurants offers organic fine dining using produce from its own organic farm!
This is a Resthouse and therefore by definition is more basic. Kithulgala is about a 2hr drive south-west of Kandy and is situated in the rainforest. It has a magnificent location set on the banks of the Keleni River. It is an old colonial building which was used as the HQ when the film “The Bridge over the River Kwai” was filmed here with David Lean. This quirky hotel will give you an insight into what colonial life was like. It has a fantastic view of the river and the virgin rainforest on the other side of the river. There is no pool but you can swim in the river if you swim where the locals swim. The rooms are simple but adequate – it is the location that is sublime!
