Set amidst the cool climes of Sri Lanka’s lush plantations and lakes up in the misty hills of the Central province, plantation bungalows offer the perfect getaway from the humid and arid environment in other parts of the country.

Several of the quaint tea estate bungalows which were used in colonial times by the British Raj have now been converted to a range of luxury boutique hotels which offer fabulous views of the hill country and its estates. Some bungalows are in fact located on working plantations of tea, spices, rubber or pineapple which allows visitors to observe first-hand the processes undertaken to produce these products. Furthermore, as an additional plus for wildlife enthusiasts, the birdlife and trekking in the surrounding areas can be superb.

Ceylon Tea Trails is ranked amongst the best luxury plantation bungalows and located in what is known as the ‘golden valley of tea,’ boasts four deluxe bungalows, each with their own contemporary and individual style, with two of them set on the shores of Castlereagh Lake. One can choose to either stay at one of the bungalows or follow the tea trail from one unique bungalow to the next.
An area prominent for its fine tea, the Tea Trails too offer a visit to a plantation with many mountain bike trails criss-crossing the neighbouring tea estates and guides available on demand. The lakes also offer perfect conditions for kayaking.

Yet another original planter’s bungalow located on a tea estate is the Kirchhayn Bungalow which interestingly is still owned by the only remaining British planting family in Sri Lanka. Set on four acres of beautifully maintained gardens, the bungalow features a swimming pool, the first grass tennis court in Sri Lanka and an imaginative pitch and putt green for some additional fun.