What to Expect

Sri Lanka is a small island that offers some of the most beautiful landscape in the Indian Ocean. With a bounty of botanical gardens, pristine beaches and wildlife this is an island that will please almost anyone, but is sure to be a big hit among couples. Historians will also love the fact that the culture is over 2,500 years old and is rich in Buddhist heritage. Of course, everyone will love the weather of Sri Lanka in which you can find perfect beach weather, some where on the island, all year round.

When to Visit, What to Bring and How to Travel

The best part about Sri Lanka is that it’s a warm destination that can be enjoyed year round. However, the tourism board does recommend visiting between November and April, which is perfect for Americans hoping to escape cold, brutal winters. It is also recommended that visitors bring cotton clothing for most of their trip, but clothing a bit heavier is recommended for the hills. It is also frowned upon for women to dress inappropriately when off the beach. You should also remember to bring comfortable shoes and socks if you plan to spend time walking through the beautiful landscapes. Of course, it’s a comfort knowing that transportation is easy to find. Sri Lanka offers car rentals, taxis, railways and buses.

Where to Go

There are a number of wonderful places to visit in Sri Lanka, but there are a few that stand out above the rest. The Ancient City of Sigiriya was declared a World Heritage Site in 1982 and has palaces dating back to the 5th century. Another must-see location is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve which houses an outstanding 60% of Sri Lanka’s types of trees and 50% of their varieties of wildlife. Last, but certainly not least, visitors should consider a trip to Hikkaduwa. The town not only offers beautiful beaches, but several fun activities that are a big hit with tourists from around the world.

As you can see, Sri Lanka is a destination that is sure to please most people. Whether you want to escape the brutal American winters for a warm beach or are interested in wildlife or religion, the island has something to offer almost everyone.

About the Author: Casie Burdex loves to travel, but when she’s at home she works as a finance specialist and writer. She enjoys sharing information about personal finance, loans, Presta, and other finance issues with those concerned about their financial welfare.

Curry in Sri Lanka

The most popular dish you will experience when exploring Sri Lankan cuisine is curry. Curry in Sri Lanka is vegetable or fish based and very spicy. However, the island also eats plenty of rice to help cut the spice of the dish. Those visiting the area can also expect a delicious assortment of seafood including fish, crabs and lobsters. Much like Great Britain, the people of Sri Lanka like to serve their fish fried with chips, but also use it to make delicious curries, as noted above.

Familiar Fruits and Local Favorites

Visitors to the area must try some of the fruit. While many of the fruits can be found in the US, the freshness and ripeness of the pineapples, watermelons, mangoes and bananas cannot be beat. Other fruits found in the area include woodapples, papaya, rambuttan – none of which you should shy away from if you have the opportunity to try them.

Tea, Coconut Water, and Tantalizing Beverages

Sri Lanka is one of the top producers of tea in the world and visitors should not come to the area without having at least one cup. Make sure you read about the incredible tea tours in Sri Lanka if you haven’t already considered one, too. Natives of the area flavor their tea with milk, sugar and sometimes crushed ginger. Visitors should be aware though that ordering tea plain simply means without milk and the tea will still contain sugar. Another popular drink of the area is coconut water. Drank from fresh, young coconuts the drink is not only delicious, but offers nutritional benefits as well. The island also offers a number of beers and two of the local spirits include Toddy and Arrack. Toddy is prepared from palm trees and Arrack is fermented and aged Toddy. Of course, you can also find drinks you’re already accustomed to, such as Coca-Cola and ginger beer.

Sri Lanka offers cuisine that is as tasty and vibrant as the island. Whether you’re in the mood for something spicy or a bit of fresh fruit, the cuisine of the area is sure to please. Of course, also be sure to wash your meal down with a local favorite of either coconut water, tea or a local brew. Just make sure you aren’t shying away from local cuisine in an attempt to find dishes you’re more familiar with. You’ll definitely be losing out.

Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple

Whether you’re a practicing Buddhist or someone simply interested in the culture, the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is one site you don’t want to miss. Since you will likely spend at least a couple of days in Colombo, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the site. As a religious site, there is no cost for admission – other than respect, of course. Make sure you take a camera so you can capture the gorgeous statues, ornate decorations, and surrounding countryside.

Colombo National Museum

To learn about the history of Sri Lanka, you’ll definitely want to make a stop at the Colombo National Museum. The museum focuses mainly on Asian civilizations and is one of the oldest existing in the country. Visitors love everything from the old building itself to the collection of old clothing, jewelery, paintings, ivory combs, and more. You’ll have to pay a bit extra for the priviledge of taking pictures, but the cost is worth it.

Labookellie Tea Centre

Admission to the Labookellie Tea Centre, located in the Nuware Eliya area of the country, is free. While there, you’ll learn about the way tea tea is processed – starting with the way the leaves are picked and ending with the way it is packaged for sale. Make sure you take some time at the end to relax and sip a cup of fresh tea in the cafe.

Karuna’s Cooking Class at Sonja’s Healthfood Restaurant

If you should make your way to Unawatuna, you’ll want to stop by Sonja’s Healthfood Restaurant for a cooking class. During your time in Sri Lanka, you’re bound to taste a dish or two you’ll wish you could recreate at home. This class will give you the basics of Sri Lankan cooking , starting with a trip to a local market to gather the food before preparing a dish that is bound to be suitable for all participating in the class. You’ll have to taste the end results for yourself.

Mulkirigala Rock Monastery

Located in Tangalle, the Mulkirigala Rock Monastery is another religious site you don’t want to miss. It’s not a main tourist attraction but everyone who visits is left absolutely breathless. Inside the caves you’ll find some stunning artwork and if you are willing to take the walk to the top you’ll be rewarded with scenery you’ll wish you could bottle up and keep forever.

Sri Lanka is a country small in size but rich in amazing culture. Take as much time as you can to explore as many sites as you can. Your trip may just turn out to be a once in a lifetime experience.

Willis Carranco has been to Sri Lanka twice and is already planning his third trip. When he’s not soothing the travel bug, he enjoys tracking UFX Markets and watching financial trends.

While you can often find day tours in some of the major cities throughout the country, your best bet for seeing Sri Lanka and the tea country is by purchasing an all-inclusive tour package. Sticking with guides who already know the country will ensure you are safe and well-guided throughout your experience.

Empire Tea Tours

The folks at Empire Tea run an annual “Tea & Scenic Tour” of Sri Lanka. The tour takes visitors through the three major tea regions of Nuwara Eliya, Kandy & Uva, and Ratnapura. Along the way, you’ll see many of the major tea manufacturing factories while enjoying the opportunity to sample many of the area’s finest teas. You’ll even get to visit The Tea Research Institute and some of the country’s most interesting tea auctions. This tour typically lasts 15 days and includes a number of other cultural sites aside from tea-related attractions as well.

Go Sri Lanka

The Go Sri Lanka tour is offered by On the Go Tours and lasts for approximately 9 days. The tour starts and ends in the major city of Colombo and will ensure you have the opportunity to learn about the country’s incredibly rich history. You’ll see tea plantations – of course – but will also enjoy elephant rides and some of the country’s most colorful bazaars. The 9 days you spend on this tour will leave you feeling absolutely enchanted.

Ceylon Tea Trails

Just in it for the tea? Love nature? Get in touch with Ceylon Tea Trails to book one of the most incredible tour experiences you’ll ever have in your life. You’ll travel about four hours away from your starting point in Colombo to the stunning Bogawantalwa Valley – home of the Golden Valley of tea. The distinct bungalows and plantations are just the beginning, as you’ll have the opportunity to explore several different hiking and biking trails as you learn about the history and manufacturing of tea.

If you want to see more of Sri Lanka, go with one of the first two opportunities. If you want to immerse yourself in tea culture and enjoy the environment, go with Ceylon Tea Trails. No matter what you choose, you’ll never regret the experience – ever.

Albertine Morquecho loves tea and has enjoyed exploring Sri Lanka’s culture. When she’s not preparing to travel the world, she works with IT staffing companies to help new college grads find work.

Upon arrival through Kahanda Kanda’s unassuming gates, you have to admit that you have indeed entered a very beautiful place. The tea bushes are everywhere and the buildings are all done tastefully, seamlessly blending into it’s natural surroundings. The bright orange wall and tower were a great touch, giving a sophisticated yet ethnic feel to what would otherwise be like so many other places in the Galle area.

Kahanda Kanda rather beautifully translates into yellow moon mountain, and is a chic boutique hotel in a working tea plantation. Once the home of Englishman and interior designer George Cooper, this hilltop retreat has been receiving quite a lot of praise as being one of the top small hotels in the area.

We were welcomed to what seemed to be the bar/sitting room area and a very nice waiter (who may have very well been the famous headwaiter Henry, we can’t be sure) offered us drinks, but as the place was virtually empty except for a loud couple, we decided to proceed to the dining area in the pavilion adjacent. Through a very attractive (but lethal if you had more a few) watery walkway we went, and we were seated and served our Bloody Marys after a longish wait. The drinks were fine, but not quite as good as Charlie Hulse’s!

We were presented the set menu (around $20 a head), which looked perfectly decent:

Curried soup
Green Papaya and Chicken Salad
Choice of puddings (we chose the Coconut & Orange flan)

The service was on the slow side, but no complaints there as the place had such a relaxed and peaceful feel anyway that anything faster would have been irritating. While waiting, we enjoyed the views from the restaurant, overlooking lush jungle and part of Koggala Lake which were absolutely breathtaking.

The food arrived, and the curried vegetable soup was creamy and flavourful. The bread served alongside was homemade and delicious, but the butter (or was it margarine) was on the rancid side. The green papaya salad was plated well, and certainly was tasty, but much too hot and spicy. One of our lunch companions couldn’t eat it at all! Now I can eat a spicy curry with gusto, but I had to agree with him on this one. We all enjoyed the pudding of coconut flan though, which helped put out the fire!

Our verdict? The setting is outstanding, the service good, the food could be better (given the price – but then again, this is indicative of many Galle hotels I’m afraid). We only peeked into the rooms, which looked smart and comfortable. We’ll definitely be staying here soon! Prices start at just $230 in the low season and numerous special packages are available now.

Image via Kahanda Kanda

The Fortress Hotel is perhaps the grandest hotel in Sri Lanka of all. Owned by reputedly the richest family in Sri Lanka, it is part of the Per Aquum group of resorts, who also have a large presence in the Maldives and the Seychelles. The Fortress only opened its doors in 2007 and has certainly started with a bang, often being fully booked (especially for weddings and large functions) despite the negative news coming out of the Sri Lankan tourism industry.

The hotel is in a glorious location, set right on the Indian Ocean seaside and close to Koggala Lake, about a 20 minute drive from Galle. What sets apart the hotel from many of its competitors is not just its location, though, but its magnificent architecture and ambience, both outside and inside. We don’t often like to quote off a hotel’s own website, but in this case they have it spot on:

A hotel fashioned in the style of a powerful fortress. Rising next to the beach, the resort’s walls enclose verdant gardens and water features, a spa featuring Ayurvedic treatments, a freeflow swimming pool, wine cellar, restaurants, boutiques and exquisitely appointed rooms, lofts and residences. The resort’s architecture forges historic Dutch and Portuguese styles with the motifs of Sri Lanka.

There are 47 guest rooms, all stylishly decorated with a Colonial effect and Modern finish. There are five choices, each with its own different views and appeal: the fortress room, the beach room, the ocean room, the ocean loft and the residence. There is also a glorious spa: the Lime Spa, which specializes in traditional Ayurvedic treatments. And let’s not forget the culinary and gourmet aspects, be that the main restaurant lounge by the pool: Pepper; the modern cave for a fine glass of wine; Heat: where delicious tapas are served by the sea; a dedicated Tea section to enjoy Sri Lanka’s most famous export and the Sea Lounge where you are allowed to enjoy just one fruity cocktail too many!

Oh! and the main attraction itself: the most decadent and luxurious infinity swimming pool that one could hope for. Of course, all of this doesn’t come cheap. You’re not going to get a room for much less that $500 per night, although if you contact the hotel directly, they may give you 20% off if it’s during a quiet period.

We couldn’t recommend the Fortress Hotel more highly for those that want a luxury holiday in Sri Lanka!

Crispy on the edges, smooth in the center with a variety of lovely (and spicy) fillings to choose from, Hoppers are, hands down, my favourite Sri Lankan dish. These delightful pancake-style dishes are only found in Sri Lanka, and although there are different varieties you can have for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner, many locals have them for breakfast on a weekend, when they can take out their hopper pans and make them at home.

Hoppers (also called Appa) are another food native to Sri Lanka, served mainly for breakfast or lunch and often accompanied by Lunu miris, a fiery hot mix of red onions and spices. Hoppers are made from a fermented batter of rice flour, coconut milk and a dash of palm toddy, which lends a sour flavor and fermentation ability. If toddy is not available, yeast is often used. The batter is left to rise, then cooked in a hemispherical wok-like pan. There are many types of hoppers including egg hoppers, milk hoppers, and sweeter varieties like vanduappa and paniappa.

One can find hoppers all around Sri Lanka, from the street shops, restaurants, your hotel, or even the mobile hopper man, who would have them in a cart attached to his bicycle. Many hotels, like the Hilton, even hold Hopper Festivals, where their chefs put on a display of making an assortment of the little delights. The Hilton in Colombo also serves hoppers at it’s popular restaurant, the Curry Leaf, a pretty outdoor venue. In Galle, I had egg hoppers for breakfast at the Amangalla, which were excellent. Served with a delicious coconut sambal and other chillies, it was one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had!

Photo via Pragathi Cafe

Once again we divert from the central theme of this blog to cover another topic of interest for you, our dear readers, when thinking of luxury travel in Sri Lanka: real estate.

When visiting Sri Lanka, it may well be the case that you fall in love with the country- its people, culture and beauty. And you might be tempted to set up a holiday home there, or who knows- even want to retire there! Furthermore, we wouldn’t argue against the theory that Sri Lanka ironically represents a lucrative investment in these troubled financial times, given that the economy is emerging from a twenty year civil war and has been pretty well down and out for so long.

If this is the case, listen up- as we have been through this process ourselves and learned a few things we’d like to share with you that you’re unlikely to find on a real estate agent’s website…

The first thing you need to bear in mind when considering making any investment in a property in Sri Lanka is the words of the canny investor, Warren Buffett:

“Euphoria is an investor’s worst enemy; pessimism is his best friend.”

In other words, no matter how good a deal seems- think twice and think again after that. Why? Because Sri Lanka is still the Wild West and if you think that you will have any legal recourse should things go awry, forget it. It’s all about finding people you can trust and establishing transparency and clarity in a business culture that is inherently corrupt and is going to stay that way for some time to come. Your leverage is your cash and soon as you have given that over, you are very much on your own. So ask yourself what your motives are before jumping in the deep end, as if you’re looking for a solid investment that is liquid and safe, this is not the place for you.

However, if you’re able to afford a bit of fun and want to add some color to your life without going bankrupt in the process…then why not? If you’re not putting all your eggs in this particular basket and can afford it, you might even make some capital gain in the long-term. Having said this, please do believe us when we give you some tips, as we ourselves have been down this road for better or worse!

Here are three facts on the ground that may help you:

* If a foreigner buys land in Sri Lanka, there is a 100% land tax. Obviously, this is completely prohibitive- but it can be gotten around by setting up a local company that owns the property, whereby you will own all the shares of this company. Bear in mind that this company will need to be “active” and so you’ll be bearing approx. $1,000 in legal and accounting fees every year

* The real estate agents in Sri Lanka are not licensed or regulated. So any Tom, Dick or Harry can say that they’re an agent while having no qualifications or ability for you to hold to account. In addition, they take an extortionate 10% commission of the sale- 5% from the buyer and 5% from the seller. Unbelievable, we hear you say and we agree!

* There is a weird metric system in Sri Lanka when it comes to measuring land: perches. Prices will nearly always be quoted in terms of Sri Lankan Rupees per perch. One perch is 25 square meters, so 160 perches is one acre. Become familiar with this as quickly as possible.

Our advice would be that you resist all the amazing deals of the century you find on your holiday and if you really are considering buying a property- come back and rent first. Learn the lay of the land before you commit your hard-earned shekels to a fantasy. The only possible downside to this is that you miss the gold rush and Sri Lankan real estate suddenly is competing with Manhattan overnight. Talk to the other expats who have bought properties, learn from their mistakes and find contacts of people you can really, really trust via multiple and solid recommendations. Don’t forget- these will likely be your neighbors also, so be smart and don’t go showing off! Otherwise, everyone will want a piece of you- Sri Lanka can become a small place very quickly!!

So what do we suggest if you are interested in buying a property in Sri Lanka?

** Don’t rush- rent a house for a year in the area that you are interested in buying a property in and take your time learning what is what & who is who.

** Find one single estate agent that you like/trust and negotiate a lower commission than 5% from your end. For buying or renting, we recommend Ivan at Sri Lanka Real Estate. With Ivan (don’t tell him we told you about negotiating on the commission!), what you see is what you get and he is an authentic professional in this industry. And unlike many other agents, he won’t abandon you after the purchase and will continue to help & look after you. There are a disproportionate amount of agents for such a small real estate market as Sri Lanka and many of them are foreigners who have been around for years supplementing their passive income. If you can pick one single agent, your life on the social front will be much smoother!

** Find a trustworthy lawyer who will represent your best interests and not the seller’s. We recommend Bindu Wickramasekara (bindu@slt.lk) for the Galle area. A lawyer like Bindu will charge 2% of the purchase price, but he will do so much more for you than just legal searches, paperwork and the usual that one might expect in the West- he will be your eyes and ears on the ground and be able to help you see the wood from the trees…

** For setting up your company in Sri Lanka, there is only one law firm that can be recommended: Simon and Associates in Colombo. With Simon you are in the safest hands possible and sleep at night knowing that you are protected by the best. This is going to set you back approx. $3,000.

** For banking, by far the easiest to use is HSBC in Colombo. At the minimum you will need to set up what is known as a SIERA account (share investment external rupee account).

** If you are buying a plot of land or an old property, get quotes from a builder who you have decided to use before you buy, and not after. As a rule of thumb, the cost of building in Sri Lanka with a high end finish is approx. $400 – $500 per square meter. So for a large house of 500 sqm (say 4 bedrooms, large living space, etc)- that’s $250,000. Allow another $50,000 for your landscaping, pool and other external costs and you’re talking about $300,000 for building a beautiful house that is done to your specifications. Of course you will get cheaper quotes than this, but you already know where that will lead you…disaster. And add to this the cost of the land you bought. Also, bear in mind that while one might assume otherwise, renovation can cost as much- if not more- than building from scratch with demolition, etc. Plus in many places (especially within Galle Fort), you will need building permits for any building or renovation work. We recommend Neilan William, owner of Siem Construction. Neilan is a rare breed: an honest builder and as the owner of an established company with a good reputation, he can be trusted to stay in budget and on schedule.

** The Sri Lankan currency is traditionally weak against the major world currencies, so factor in some depreciation of the SL Rupee. You will find that the sellers will choose whatever currency suits them best at the time, but our advice is to stick to an offer in USD so that you know exactly where you stand- whatever the volatility of the currency markets.

** Sri Lankan sellers are always going to assume that you, as a foreigner, are very wealthy and will therefore try and achieve a selling price well above market value. You must be prepared to bargain hard.

** Now here is an idea for you…

Maybe you can see from the above that buying property in Sri Lanka is no picnic. So instead of going through all the inevitable emotional and psychological turmoil of this torturous process, why not buy someone else’s hard work and effort for a song? By buying a property from an expat who is wanting to sell up for whatever reason (leaving, fed up, cashing in on a gain, divorce, etc…) you are going to avoid a lot of hassle and be able to buy the property as a company without all the aggro. Yes you might be spending an extra few dollars from what you’d pay a local for the property (and even that is debatable!), but trust us when we say that this is money well spent!

Anyway, we hope that this post has been of some help to those of you seriously considering buying a property in Sri Lanka. If you would like some additional advice or help, do drop us a line- we have no axe to grind and will be happy to let you know the real deal!

Photo via Tisara Villas

The gardens at Lunuganga are a rare tropical Eden created by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most influential architect. And what started out as an abandoned rubber estate, is now one of the most unique places to stay in the country. Over a span of 50 years, Bawa lovingly made this enchanting house and it’s gardens his spiritual home, which is known today as his most personal life’s work. The intriguing estate in the coastal town of Bentota has interesting history of evolution:

Bawa never kept a systematic record of the evolution of the garden and its chronology is now hard to unravel. One fascinating diary of events is provided by a large leather-bound visitors’ book containing a plethora of photographs and sketches as well as signatures and greetings: in 1965 Ulrik Plesner reflects on the problems of the Hilton project; in 1966 Ismeth Raheem records having seen over forty species of bird during one afternoon; in 1973 Donald Friend leaves a doodle of his museum on Bali; in 1997 President Kumaratunga approves the designs of her new Official Residence; and in 1998 Prince Charles drops in for tea.

Perhaps the most memorable visit of all, however, was on 3 January 1988 when a friend called Ray Wijewardene flew down from Colombo in a microlight and, misjudging his landing, crashed into the main roof of the bungalow.

Today, magazines like GQ and Conde Nast Travel have called the property one of the best “boutique hotels” in the country, but what makes it so special is not its luxurious edge, but its historical significance, its tranquility, its unique artistic temperament – both refined and wild.

Lunuganga is an artist’s retreat for most of the year, where The Bawa Trust invites selected artists to stay and soak in the inspiration.

But even if you’re not an artist, you can get a taste of the Bawa experience from December to April, when the chic Lunuganga resort is open for a brief spell to the public, now run by Geoffrey Dobbs, the man behind many of Sri Lanka’s best boutique hotels. The gardens are rather large in 25 acres of lush greenery in the Italian style, owing to the years Bawa spent in Italy, which they say, led him to dream of creating a civilized Italian garden in the wilderness of Sri Lanka’s coast.

Guests staying here will delight in the unexpected delights the gardens have to offer – from romantic loggias and courtyards, to secret areas, pretty ponds and stunning views – of jungles, paddies and a lake – all perfect for picnics or quiet contemplation. While the outdoor spaces merge with indoor spaces, the overall style of the accommodations are startlingly simple – probably so as not to deter from the glory of the gardens.

Still, it is done with the utmost style, and together with the superb food and drink (try the bracingly delicious Lunuganga Sour and the comfort food prepared by non other than Bawa’s cook Catherine), the six ensuite bedrooms spread out from the main house to Bawa’s studio, to the house on Cinnamon Hill, are all elegantly and comfortably furnished, with private butlers at your disposal.

Lunuganga is two hours drive from Colombo and prices start at just £155. For more information or to book your stay, contact the Geoffrey Bawa Trust or various travel companies like Sri Lanka in Style. But before you do, here’s something by David Robson who wrote Geoffrey Bawa: The Complete Works:

In 1948 as Sri Lanka was shaking off the shackles of empire, a young man dreamt of making a garden. Today the garden is in its prime but, after the passage of over fifty monsoons, Sri Lanka has lost its innocence and the young man has grown old. As he sits in his wheelchair on the terrace and watches the sun setting across the lake it may be that he reflects on his achievement. Perhaps the garden had simply been waiting there for him to discover it beneath a canopy of jungle?

But this is a work of art, not of nature: it is the contrivance of a single mind and a hundred pairs of hands working together with nature to produce something that is ‘supernatural’. What should become of this magic world? Ought it to be frozen or preserved? Ought it to become a national monument maintained by bureaucrats and trampled over by thousands of souvenir-hunting tourists? Better by far to let the jungle swallow it up than to see it turned into a travesty of its former self.

For a lot of people, when Sri Lanka or Ceylon is mentioned, tea is the first thing that comes to mind. You can’t blame them, for Ceylon tea is some of the best to be found in the entire world. Indeed, I know some people who will not settle for anything less than Ceylon tea.

If you are a tea enthusiast, then Ceylon should be at the top of your list of travel destinations. Naturally, you would expect to find accommodations that highlight this national specialty. If we’re to rely on the opinions of experts and seasoned travelers, you will not go wrong in choosing the Tea Factory Hotel. The name itself tells you what to expect – what you see is what you get.

The Tea Factory Hotel is a hotel located in the premises of a tea factory. It is as authentic as you can get, really. The edifice used to be a tea factory, and the current hotel bedrooms used to be the areas where tea leaves were withered. For those unfamiliar with the tea making process, withering is the first step in manufacturing black tea. Once the tea leaves (still green) are picked, they are delivered to the factory to be withered. There is no doubt about it – even in your very room, you can feel the genuineness of the tea factory experience in this hotel.

The Tea Factory Hotel is located in Nuwara Eliya, a town about 160 kilometers from Colombo. It is set at 2,200 meters above sea level, making the conditions perfect for growing tea. The hotel is classified as a 4-star hotel, making sure that guests enjoy the luxury and pampering that they are yearning for. There are 57 rooms in the hotel, 4 of which are deluxe. All of the rooms are heated or cooled, depending on the needs and preferences of the guests. Rooms are also equipped with satellite TV, phones with IDD access, and Internet ports. For a relaxing bath after a long day of rambling around the estate, the attached bathrooms are equipped with bathtubs and showers (with hot water, naturally).

Within the hotel, there is a small tea factory, which is open for the use of guests. An experience that you must not miss is picking your own tea leaves from outside of the hotel and then turning them over to the factory for processing. At the end of the whole process, you may enjoy a cup (or two) of tea made from the very leaves that you picked up!

Around the estate, guests may enjoy the ambiance of an authentic tea plantation. You will certainly enjoy interacting with the plantation workers, who find it a pleasure to share their craft with others. There are also natural springs around the area. The best time to visit this area is from March to May, which are the hottest months of the year. Be warned, though, that April usually draws in crowds of people yearning for the authentic Ceylon tea experience.