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Ceylon Tea Trails

Central Highlands, Sri Lanka • Bogawantalawa Valley • SPLURGE

avg. $418 / night

Includes $22 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

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Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Relais & Châteaux

Location

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At a glance

Five restored colonial bungalows on a working tea estate with infinity pool views over Sri Lankan highlands.

Best for: Tea enthusiasts and architecture preservationists

Highlights:

  • Five restored colonial tea planters' bungalows (1888–1950)
  • 3,500-acre working Dilmah Tea estate with estate walks
  • Infinity pool overlooking Castlereagh Reservoir and tea valleys
Colonial-nostalgicunhurried

PB hotel design editorial

When Dilmah Tea's founder Merrill J. Fernando converted five colonial-era tea planters' bungalows into what would become the world's first tea bungalow resort, the central design challenge was one of honest restraint: how to make these deeply particular buildings habitable as a hotel without scrubbing away the century of character that made them worth saving in the first place. Ceylon Tea Trails, opened in 2005 across a 3,500-acre working estate in Sri Lanka's Bogawantalawa Valley, solved that problem through interior designer Deirdre Renniers, whose approach treats each of the five bungalows as a planter's residence that happens to have guests. The buildings themselves, constructed between 1888 and 1950, set the material terms: broad verandahs with flagstone floors and rattan furniture, deep-pitched roofs over low-slung ochre-washed walls, twin chimneys rising from single-storey plans that stretch long and low across manicured croquet lawns banked by tea hedgerows. Inside, the rooms carry the unhurried atmosphere of houses lived in across generations. Dark teak four-poster beds hung with white mosquito nets stand on polished hardwood floors layered with Persian-style carpets; floral-upholstered armchairs cluster near windows framed by garden views; antique dressing tables and luggage racks in worn timber suggest a trunk unpacked and left. The infinity pool, set into a hillside terrace above Castlereagh Reservoir, dissolves into a panorama of mist-softened mountains and glittering water. A Relais & Châteaux member and holder of a Three-Key Michelin distinction, this is a property where the landscape does not merely surround the architecture — it completes it.

Travel notes

No travel notes provided yet.

About

Tea Trails is part of the Resplendent Ceylon “best of Sri Lanka” circuit, created by the family-owned​ Dilmah Tea Company. Three Relais & Chateaux resorts; Tea Trails, Cape Weligama & Wild Coast Tented Lodge, form an enchanting "Route de Bonheur (Happiness)" from tea fields to clifftop beach & safari lodge. Ceylon Tea Trails is a collection of five heritage tea planters' bungalows restored to impeccable style, offering a taste of gracious living in 27 suites and rooms, with butler service and original furnishings, accompanied by gourmet meals. Walking trails connect the bungalows which are from 2km to 15km apart. Follow the Tea Trail from one unique bungalow to the next, staying a night or two at each or just laze in one. Rates are fully inclusive of gourmet meals and drinks, including spirits and wines as well as service charges, taxes and laundry, ensuring a seamless and carefree stay.

Amenities

Internet

Free Internet

Free Parking

Wifi

Free Wifi

Pool

Suites

Room service

Breakfast Included

Family rooms

Ceylon Tea Trails Reviews

2,138 reviews

"We had a wonderful stay at Tientsin Bungalow. What made our stay particularly special was the very personal and attentive service. We felt genuinely looked after throughout our stay and really enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, the beautiful surroundings and the excellent food. A special thank you to Ajith, Priyadharshan, Robert and Prathap for making our stay so enjoyable."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Aug 10, 2026

"We had an absolutely wonderful stay at Ceylon Tea Trails. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the exceptional level of service and the genuine warmth and attentiveness of the entire team. A special mention goes to our butler, Nesa, who was truly outstanding. He went above and beyond to accommodate every one of our requests and made sure that all our needs were taken care of, always with great professionalism, kindness and discretion. His attention to detail made our stay particularly enjoyable. The quality of the food was excellent, and the level of service and attention to detail throughout the property was absolutely in line with what you would expect from a top five-star hotel. Every member of the staff contributed to making the experience special."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Aug 10, 2026

"This is such a nice place, the relaxed vibe and very good food. Definately worth vistiting. Nesa is a very good host! We would love to come back one day!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Aug 09, 2026

"I've been fortunate enough to stay at many luxury hotels around the world, but I can honestly say this has been the best overall experience I've ever had. Everything here exceeded my expectations. The breathtaking tea plantations, the beautifully maintained bungalows, the incredible food, and the attention to every little detail all came together to create something truly special. Describing this place as "hard to leave" is not an exaggeration—I genuinely wished I could stay longer. What touched me the most, however, wasn't just the stunning scenery. It was the people. Our butler, Mesa, was simply outstanding. His level of attentiveness was unlike anything I've experienced before. Before I even realized I needed something, he had already thought of it. He somehow anticipated our needs with remarkable intuition, yet everything was done so naturally that it never felt intrusive. More than that, he made us feel completely at home. It didn't feel like we were staying in a luxury hotel—it felt like we were returning to our own home, where someone who truly cared was quietly looking after us. That feeling is priceless, and it is something no amount of luxury or beautiful facilities alone can create. Every member of the team deserves recognition. Everyone was warm, patient, professional, and seemed to know exactly when to offer help and when to give guests their space. Their service was polished without ever feeling scripted. It was genuine hospitality in its finest form. The tea plantations are undeniably beautiful, but what makes this place unforgettable is the people. They are the soul of this property. Thank you, Mesa, and everyone at Ceylon Tea Trails, for giving us an experience that we will remember for a very long time. We arrived expecting a beautiful hotel, but we left with memories that will stay with us forever. We will most certainly be back."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Aug 06, 2026

"An experience that was taylor-made for our family of 4. The location,atmosphere,food, rooms and more importantly the service was 1000/1000. You couldn’t fault anything. An experience we will never forget and plan to come back again! 🙏🏼"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 28, 2026

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