Ceylon Tea Trails

Proudly known as the world's first tea bungalow resort, Ceylon Tea Trails is an impressive place to stay during your visit to Sri Lanka's hill country, both in terms of scenery and accommodation. With an enviable location overlooking Castlereagh Reservoir, the five restored tea planter residences give a glimpse into what life was like here back in the colonial era.

The bungalows are dotted around the reservoir, each offering seclusion, personal butler service and spectacular panoramic views of lush tea plantations and distant mountains. Each has between 4-6 bedrooms (named after the tea planters who once lived there), with period furnishings, antique touches and comfy four-poster beds. The residences are all unique, and feel more like homes than hotels. Days begin in style with a traditional cup of 'Bed Tea' served by your butler to help you gently wake up and get ready for your adventures ahead. Perhaps you'll then take a fresh early morning walk around the grounds before tucking into a scrumptious Sri Lankan or English breakfast. With a spot of tea of course.

Dining at Ceylon Tea Trails is a real treat, and lets be honest, food is a really important part of your holiday. The four-course dinner menu is inventive, with fresh home-grown produce that is flavoured with herbs from the surrounding estates, and an excellent wine list to match. Afternoon cream tea with scones and strawberries is taken in the gardens, a delightful mixture of the English and the Exotic. Finally, in the true spirit of tea-planter traditions, evenings are spent cosying up in front of roaring log fires with a whisky or gin to celebrate a long and enjoyable walk through the tea gardens.

If you can drag yourself away from the views, the infinity pool and the pampering from an in-room spa treatment, there's plenty to do during the day. From leisurely walks around the tea estates and taking tea factory tours, to biking through the nearby beautiful Bogawantalawa Valley and white water rafting on the Kelani River, there's something here for everyone. If you have energy to burn why not hike up the famous Adam's Peak, just over an hours drive from the reservoir. Day trips to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains National Park can also be arranged.

And if you simply want to enjoy a spot of croquet followed by a slice of Dundee cake then that's fine too.