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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

2,132 reviews

"Incredible luxury Michelin stay. After staying with sister hotel we were in for even more spoiling. My girlfriends and I were also impressed with Krishna s ability to sort out a mistake in our booking that would have had one of our team in different location 15 mins away by car. The chef and his team were incredible and we felt like royalty being so spoilt. Make sure you check actual allocation of which stately manor ( bungalow ) you are staying at. Just fabulous. I need to get up the gym now as the food was rockstar !!’"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 23, 2026

"Our stay was absolutely fantastic from beginning to end. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed and treated like royalty. The surroundings are breathtaking, with endless tea plantations and stunning scenery, and our bungalow was the perfect place to relax and unwind. What truly makes this place special is its people. The staff are incredibly warm, welcoming, and genuinely dedicated to making every guest’s stay unforgettable. A special thank you to our bungalow manager, Nilantha, who gave us such a wonderful welcome and took exceptional care of us throughout our stay. We would also like to thank Danushka, Virat and the trainee whose kindness, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality made our experience even more memorable. Another highlight of our stay was the outstanding cuisine. Every breakfast, lunch, and dinner was a culinary experience. The chef surprised us every single meal with beautifully presented dishes, exceptional flavours, and remarkable creativity. Dining here was far more than just eating—it became one of the highlights of our stay. Besides enjoying the peaceful surroundings, there are plenty of activities available, such as visiting the nearby tea factory surrounded by the beautiful tea plantations, exploring the other bungalows on the estate, or taking a canoe trip on the lake. There is something for everyone, whether you are looking to relax or explore. We cannot recommend this place highly enough. It offers the perfect combination of breathtaking nature, exceptional hospitality, unforgettable cuisine, and unique experiences. We will definitely cherish these memories and hope to return one day."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 22, 2026

"For a taste of how the colonial tea barons lived, you can’t go past a stay at Ceylon Tea Trails. The all-inclusive experience is a one of a kind with free-flowing food and beverages . The staff are super attentive and obliging, and the chefs are very willing to accommodate special dietary requests. The rooms are luxuriously appointed and the beds are super comfortable. AND, just because you’re booked into one bungalow, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a change of pace or outlook. You can enjoy lunch, afternoon tea or dinner in any one of the 5 bungalows on the estate. Highly recommend a few days of indulgence at this resort."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 21, 2026

"Nesa Clement and the team are world class. The level of service and quality of the food was fabulous. We will be back and will recommend to our family and friend's Brett and Paula Anderson"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 14, 2026

"Rightly deserving its Michelin 3 keys rating, this was the most luxurious experience I've ever had. Beautifully renovated bungalows with stunning gardens, lovely pools and jacuzzi and gorgeous views across the tea estate. We stayed at Norwood Bungalow. Meals were some of the best food I've eaten in Sri Lanka and every meal was beautifully prepared to our needs. Wonderful staff for whom nothing was too much trouble. Special mention for the incredibly talented pastry chef. The tea factory tour was fascinating and highly recommended. Thank you for such a unique experience!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 14, 2026

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