A cup of Sri Lanka’s finest “silver tips” tea is the reward for the slow meander through some of the country’s finest and most mesmerizing landscape.
In the late 18th century, World War I fighter pilot, turned tea planter, Major Elton Lane enjoyed a spectacular view of the green scenery and the mighty Castlereagh Reservoir from his impressive bungalow perched 1,444 metres above sea level.
In January and after some sensitive restoration, the Major’s former home opened as Uga Halloowella, a five star boutique hotel just oozing with class and elegance.
Placed in the heart of a 252 acre estate and with six luxurious suites, it’s everyone’s cup of tea, with the attention to detail second to none.
Just 146 kilometres from the capital Colombo and above the beautiful town of Hatton in the centre of the country, the former bungalow has been transformed by architect Channa Daswatte, a protégé of Sri Lanka’s most famous design whizz, Geoffrey Bawa.
Often referred to as a gateway to the scenic hill country, Hatton holds a rich history intertwined with the colonial era when British planters settled in the area to cultivate tea, giving rise to a vibrant cultural tapestry that blends indigenous traditions with colonial influences.
The region’s cool climate, characterized by misty mornings and gentle breezes, creates an ideal environment for growing some of the world’s finest tea, which has been a cornerstone of the local economy for over a century.
Daswatte was determined to infuse the hotel with traditional culture and bring back the beauty of the area which before colonialism by the British, was once the unpassable forests of Mayarata burnt down to make way for the tea plantations.
Independence in 1948 switched Celyon to Sri Lanka and the Uga hotel chain owners were as determined as Daswatte to make sure local history was honoured in the hotel refit.
And the result is the most picture perfect accommodation which is simply beautiful from the moment a guest receives the traditional Sri Lankan welcome of anointing the forehead to bring health and prosperity in the simply furnished reception.
It’s here the first taste of silver tips, plucked from the terminal buds of the tea bushes and handled with great care so the whole shoot remains whole and silvery and is turned into a tea which has great health benefits, is served from elegant cups.
A small and intimate rose courtyard leads to the main dining hall which features hand painted walls with a bright green jungle theme and complemented by warm timber and large oval windows which have that 1920’s art deco feel.
Local artist Chammika Jayawardena was commissioned to transform the dining room into a conservatory using only native plants and trees. Coconut palms and banana trees, arrowheads and snake plants fill the space. Leopards laze in the painted trees, while parakeets soar towards the ceiling. The entire space feels like a miniature version of the forest this place once was.
The nearby sitting room has oak barrels, wooden chests, carved fireplaces and candelabra chandeliers and the floors are created from the luxurious satin and jackwood, a nod to Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.
Sri Lankan photographer Sankha Wanniatchi travelled through the local region, capturing native wildlife and black and white close shots of pigeons, geckos, and other animals adorn the walls of the rooms, and large paintings depicting the hills and peaks of the country are featured in the suites. Guests can meet and discover the area on foot with the hotel’s resident naturalist.
The rooms themselves are unique and tastefully decorated with the front facing large bay windows providing some stunning views of the tea plantation.
The suites all have individual character, with sitting rooms full of traditional furniture, baths with views and huge four poster beds and original fireplaces, creating a real feel of what the bungalow was like when Elton and his wife Violet lived there.
The accommodation is only surpassed by the fabulous food on offer. Again, inspired by Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and vibrant flavours and colours, the freshest of seasonal produce is reflected through a harmonious fusion of authentic local tastes and refined global techniques, mixing local with international.
Stand out dishes include Halloowella signature poached eggs with English muffin, curried crab cake, Seeni Sambol and turmeric hollandaise and Ceylon-tea and herb-crusted lamb rack with pea purée and a lavender tea red wine reduction. A ‘Sri Lankan Discovery’ menu celebrates all that is truly local, serving up traditional dishes such as Negombo pork curry with milk rice and East Coast sour fish curry with hoppers.
With additional dining experiences ranging from a secret sundowner experience and a degustation and wine pairing dinner to Sri Lankan cooking masterclasses and garden barbeques, a true gastronomic journey is just the ticket.
Outside there’s an infinity pool and classy terrace to enjoy and the gardens are a joy to sit in and admire the tea plantations, indulge in an outdoor spa session and plan trips around the area,
The “Dawn Glide” sunrise kayaking on the cool waters of Castlereagh Reservoir is a perfect way to see the morning mist lift and the sun rise with the birds calling.
Bikes or on foot is the way to enjoy the tea hills and the famous 300 kilometre Pekoe Trail that runs through the Central Highlands. It’s the perfect way to see the impressive landscape, beginning in the charming town of Kotagala and winding past local landmarks and cultural sights including the stunning Singamalai lake, Chrysler’s Farm tea factory, Castlereagh Reservoir, Hindu kovils and Christian churches.
It’s all about the tea though and a fabulous insight into the ancient tradition of plucking and producing comes via a guided tour of the estate and factory, where an expert will guide guests through the process of creating Ceylon tea and allowing a taster of the best too.
With butlers and attentive staff on hand to ensure that your every whim is catered for, Uga Halloowella is the perfect blend of tradition meets modern in the most romantic of settings.
The Details
Uga Halloowella, Upcot Road, Norwood, Sri Lanka.
Tel: + 94 11 2328 832 / + 94 11 2117 100
Website: www.ugaresorts.com/halloowella
Email: inquiries@ugaresorts.com
The hotel is approximately 136 km from Bandaranaike International Airport and 146 km from Colombo. You can arrive via a scenic road journey or opt for a private helicopter transfer.
Type of Hotel: 5-Star Boutique Hotel
Number of Rooms: Six suites
Price Band: Nightly rates at Uga Halloowella start from £901 ($1,125) on an all-inclusive basis.
Insider Tip: Ask for a suite overlooking the garden for some epic sunset and sun rises.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of Uga Halloowella
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