The Experience

There is no experience quite like a stay at Ceylon Tea Trails in Sri Lanka.  Simultaneously the world’s very first tea Bungalow resort and Sri Lanka’s first Relais & Chateaux property, Ceylon Tea Trails is elevated four thousand feet and embraced by arresting lush tea estates. Tea has been a key Sri Lankan export since 1867, when Scottish planter James Taylor introduced the country to it, hence colonial history and luxury are wonderfully and inextricably linked here. Learn about the entire process of tea production on a complimentary guided tour through the scenic grounds; wade through waist-high bushes and meet friendly local tea-pickers, then at the end, savour a well-deserved brew yourself! Residing at Ceylon Tea Trails is unfailingly charming and quaint; there is a daily afternoon cream tea served at 4pm, and the resort’s signature ‘Misty Mountain High Tea’ ritual, which affords spectacular panoramic vistas of mountains and tea fields, is treasured by guests.

Forge a deeper bond with the sublime beauty of the land at Ceylon Tea Trails; journey on a night walk with a resident naturalist to explore the vast terrain of eucalyptus trees, tea bushes and forestry, kayak across the serene Castlereagh Lake, marvel at the sacred mountain of Adam’s Peak, a site of deep reverence, or take the mountain bike from your bungalow and traverse surrounding valleys and hills - Ceylon Tea Trails really is a world unto itself.

Bungalows

A collection of four unique bungalows, Norwood, Tientsin, Castlereagh and Summerville offer twenty-seven rooms and suites in total, and are named after former British tea planters who lived and worked within them since the 1900s. Each enjoys the sumptuous luxury of staff, including a manager, butler, chef and houseboys, ensuring that guests can properly kick back and relax. Each morning, a staff member will open your windows, welcoming in the stunning Sri Lankan sunshine and striking views of manicured gardens, a distinct nod to British tradition. Bed tea is a firm favourite at Ceylon Tea Trails; tea is brought to your bedside to wake you up in the most leisurely way possible, yet another charming quirk of the resort.

Marked by grace and refined taste, each bungalow invokes respect for fond old traditions; while away afternoons before the roaring log fire, or sit at your wooden desk and pen a postcard to a loved one. Alternatively, breathe in the fresh mountainous air outdoors; sit on your sweeping lawn and be waited on with a smorgasbord of cucumber sandwiches, cream cakes and a tea of your choice, or partake in a game of civilised croquet!

Dining

Dining is laid-back at Ceylon Tea Trails, with no formal menus. This means that meal times and choices are entirely based on the choice of the guest; the only certainty is the reliable sourcing of fresh and home grown tea, vegetables and herbs. Basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley and many more herbs inspire and enliven the eclectic cuisine; examples of dishes could include typically flavourful Sri Lankan curries and fresh tarragon-infused roasted chicken. 

With a history that’s far-reaching, characterful Ceylon Tea Trails brings Ceylon culture to life in a place where tea-drinking is a national institution, opportunities for exploration abounds and time-honoured traditions are endlessly practised. If you want to discover a transformative lease of life in a country where tourism is ever-burgeoning and evolving, please call one of our specialists on 0161 233 0110.