Camellia Hills

Luxury Holidays At Camellia Hills

Perfect for families or a romantic getaway, this dazzling plantation property is a respectful nod to the rich history of the Sri Lankan tea-making industry. Sat four hours east of the capital Colombo, near the town of Hatton and surrounded by the picturesque Castlereagh Valley, this small but charming colonial-style hotel gives a feel of tantalising intimacy. Few locations offer the majestic sites of Camellia Hills, and the views really do take centre stage here. Stunning mountainous vistas of Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands tantalise your senses from every turn, with lush green tea estates and flourishing waterfalls that seem to peek out from the clouds. With an impressive infinity pool overlooking the reservoir and five luxurious ensuite rooms to choose from, each with a distinctly cosy and elegant charm, the hotel manages to put you at ease the moment you step onto the property; combine this with sublime fine dining and a complimentary butler service, and you could be forgiven for getting a tad too comfortable!

Details:

Type: Boutique Hotel
Summary: A luxurious and intimate lakeside escape in the Hill Country
Feature: Mesmerising setting with world-class service and fine dining
Rooms: 5 rooms
Nearest airport: Colombo Bandaranaike

Aerial View of Property and Surroundings

Amenities

Bar & Seating Area

Butler Service

Canoeing

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Cultural Activities

Cycling

Garden & Grounds

Restaurant

Swimming Pool

Location and transfer

Approximately 4 hours by private car from Colombo International Airport, or for the intrepid adventurer, you could take a 60-minute flight on a seaplane and glide onto the still waters of Castlereagh Lake.

Accommodation:

All five rooms offer a unique touch of heartwarming splendour and are elegantly finished with clean, crisp decor, cosy wooden floors, traditional high-beamed ceilings and beautiful ensuite bathrooms. All have access to a butler service and come with a luxurious four-poster bed, lush bathrobes, Wi-Fi and a private balcony or terrace with captivating views of Castlereagh Valley.

Camellia Bedroom:

Rooms: 1
Room View: Mountainside view
Facilities: This charming room is beautifully presented with fresh, crisp decor and comes with a four-poster king-size bed, ensuite bathroom, ceiling fan, luxuriously soft bathrobes, Wi-Fi, and a private balcony that offers mesmerising views of the radiant Castlereagh Valley.

Lakeview Bedrooms (Norton & Warleigh):

Rooms: 2
Room View: Lake view
Facilities: These contemporary furnished rooms are perfect for couples looking for that extra bit of privacy. They offer beautiful views of the mirror-still Castlereagh Lake and the lush green tea fields that dot the beautiful mountainside. They come with a four-poster king-size bed, ensuite bathroom, ceiling fan, plush bathrobes, Wi-Fi, and a private terrace.

Lakeview Suites (Osbourne & Dickoya):

Rooms: 2
Room View: Mountainside or Lake view
Facilities: These decadent suites are perfect for a luxurious and relaxing escape. They offer an irresistible, homely space with views of the dazzling mountainside or the soothing waters of Castlereagh Lake. The Dickoya suite is ideal for a family retreat, as it comes with a wonderfully presented 2nd bedroom. Both suites offer an array of wonderful amenities and come with a four-poster king-size bed (extra beds if choosing the Dickoya suite), ensuite bathroom, ceiling fan, elegant soft bathrobes, Wi-Fi, and a private balcony.

Dining:

Aptly named The Dining Room, this cosy and luxurious space offers guests a feeling of alluring warmth and a truly exquisite a-la-carte menu. The typical Sri Lankan way of cooking is a vibrant infusion of spices, herbs, coconuts and fresh vegetables. Whether choosing crispy Sri Lankan hoppers for breakfast, a traditional Sri Lankan omelette for lunch or mouthwatering curries for dinner, the Camellia Hills dining experience will leave any food connoisseur wanting that little bit more!

The Dining Room:

Cuisine: A la carte
Setting: Wonderfully positioned with an outside terrace so guests can have a relaxing tipple and absorb the seductive surroundings of the Castlereagh Valley and the tea bushes that line the spectacular mountainside. With its high-beamed ceilings, decadent furnishings and traditional crackling wood fire, the atmosphere is one of pure intimacy and relaxation.
Dress Code: Smart casual
Children's Menu: Yes
Vegetarian Option: Yes
Reservation Required: No

Property Highlights:

Culture & History

Walk amongst the unique tea fields of Sri Lanka and discover the rich and proud heritage of this fantastic island. Experience how for over 200 years, Sri Lanka has been synonymous with our very own British tipple. From tea leaf to teapot, you will learn the whole process and even have the chance to pluck your own tea leaves and see what they taste like at the end of their journey!

Hotel Experiences

Sitting imposingly right in front of the hotel, this genuinely magical stretch of water is awaiting your navigation. Burn off that delightful Sri Lankan breakfast as you paddle your way through the glassy still waters of Castlereagh Lake whilst taking in the sites of the majestic tree-carpeted mountains. Canoeing on the lake is permitted from 6 am to 6 pm, depending on water levels. The team at Elegant Resorts recommend getting up bright and early as the lake is at its most serene as the sun comes up and breaks through the clouds.

Adventure

Visiting this magical region wouldn't be the same without trying to conquer the most sacred mountain in the Central Highlands, Adam's Peak. Referred to by the locals as 'Sri Pada', meaning holy footprint, this 2245m mountain has been a journey of pilgrimage for Buddhists for centuries. We recommend getting up very early and taking the Hatton trail, which is around 40 km from the hotel. If you like a challenge and think of yourself as having average fitness, this climb will be no trouble, and if you get to the top early enough, the sunrise is truly breathtaking.

Note: The climb is best attempted between December and May due to adverse weather conditions outside of these months.