Overview: Ceylon Tea Trails comprises of five restored historic tea planter residences, called bungalows, perched at an altitude of 1250 meters in Sri Lanka’s panoramic Ceylon tea region. The 27 rooms & suites with period furnishings, gracious butler service, and gourmet cuisine create an ambiance that has made Tea Trails the gold standard for luxury in Sri Lanka. Each bungalow is unique and offers guests the non-hotel, private house ambiance that is the hallmark of the award-winning Tea Trails experience. Follow the Tea Trail from one bungalow to the next, staying a night or two at each or just laze in one. This is the ideal setting for trekking and biking against the breathtaking backdrop of mountains, lakes, winding roads and waterfalls. If you prefer to unwind, observe life on a working tea estate while being pampered by your butler, enjoy a spa treatment, croquet on the lawn or sunbathe alongside the pool. Or explore the lush tea fields & visit a century old factory for a gentle education in the art of Ceylon Tea.

BUNGALOWS

Sweeping lawns and swimming pools. English gardens filled with roses, dew filled agapanthus and spring crocus. Tea on the lawn with Dundee cake, scones, strawberries and cream or lunch alfresco by the pool, a summerhouse to meditate in or watch the forest wagtail flit from tree to tree. Tennis, swimming, croquet and classic board games all come together for a leisurely lifestyle at the five historic tea planters’ bungalows that comprise Ceylon Tea Trails.

Summerville, Castlereagh and Dunkeld overlook the Castlereagh lake, Norwood is at the other end of the valley about 15 minutes away by car and Tientsin is about 30 minutes away in the next valley. Each house comes with its own chef, butler and houseboys and from 5 to 6 rooms each. Master Suites with a separate living room and private gardens, Garden Suites with verandahs to private gardens and spacious Luxury Rooms of great character. Dunkeld has an Owner’s Cottage set away from the main bungalow.

NORWOOD 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 bamboos stands to be found anywhere. The suites are oversized with imposing colonial 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.

• 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.
• Trevaldwyn 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.

TIENTSIN BUNGALOW

Step into the world of Tientsin and step back in time. Named after the Chinese village from which the original tea seedlings came, this very British residence is a historical landmark. Six glorious rooms and suites open onto magnificent English gardens still standing loyal to the colonial planters’ wives who created ‘a little bit of home’ in a faraway land. Wander the glorious rose terraces and hide away under a leafy arbour to the myriad sounds of the many birds that make their homes there. Each suite too is faithful to the original design with polished wooden floors and high ceilings; some with four-poster beds. A large swimming pool and raised garden offers panoramic views of the tea-carpeted mountains that lead towards the World Heritage Horton Plains National Park.

• 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

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.

• 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 reservoir from 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 lake from private garden.
• Middleton Luxury Room
  38 sq.m – Twin beds, bath with rain shower, garden view.

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.

• 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, view across lake.
• 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

CASTLEREAGH BUNGALOW

Travelers approaching Castlereagh from the road can glimpse tantalizing 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.

• 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 lake, 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 lake & tea fields.