Ceylon Tea Trails - Norwood Bungalow

"This collection of five villa hotels, hailing from British times and situated high up in the Tea Country, is run a bit like a wilderness safari lodge with lots of downtime, eating, mingling with other guests and excursions in this stunning area. Indagare Loves Waking to mind-blowing vistas of the surrounding tea region, unfolding in a seemingly endless array of greens The excellent food—Tea Trails belongs to the Relais & Châteaux portfolio, which are known for outstanding meals Meeting other guests over afternoon high tea or pre-dinner drinks in the congenial sitting room Review Arriving at one of the incredible Tea Trail bungalows is part of the adventure: your driver takes you through impossibly narrow roads, winding higher and higher through greener and greener tea crops, passing local pickers dressed in colorful saris. The entire time you are bouncing around on the back seat, you can’t help but wonder at the British, on horseback and in carriages, who pegged this wild tropical jungle, with its steep, unforgiving terrain, as the place for starting a tea plantation. But select it they did, in the 1840s, starting what remains as one of Sri Lanka’s biggest industries. And with the plantations came estate managers (and their wives and entourage), so planters’ bungalows sprung up around Hill Country. The five restored villas that belong to Tea Trails hail from this colonial era, having been meticulously restored and updated by the owners, the Fernando family of the Sri Lankan Dilmah tea empire (Cape Weligama and Wild Coast Tented Lodge are Tea Trails’s sister properties). Each stylish boutique villa (“bungalow” is an understatement) has between four and six bedrooms, as well as sumptuous sitting and dining rooms, game room (billiards, of course), beautifully planted gardens and a pool or hot tub. The vibe is that of a home stay, and keys to rooms are only procured upon request. Each villa has a host of staff ready to assist, all of whom are available to help with anything one might want or need. Thinking of having a whiskey in front of the fire or a coconut water by pool? They are there. Though belonging to the same hotel group, the bungalows are located sizable distances apart (some closer together and some 30 to 45 apart minutes by car), so typically guests will check-in to one of them for the entirety of their stay, while spending time at other villas during the day. Choosing which one is not easy, as all have unique characteristics and will appeal to different types of travelers (contact Indagare’s Hotel Reservations Team or your trip designer for help selecting the one that’s right for you). The two farthest bungalows include Norwood and Tientsin. Norwood is exquisite from the moment guests drive past two enormous stands of bamboo that shelter the elegant driveway. High on top of a hillside, this bungalow has extraordinary 360-degree views of the vast teafields in the Bogawantalawa Valley. A large swimming pool and sun deck makes a stay here particularly relaxing, and the larger grounds make it the best fit for families traveling with younger children. Over in another valley, Tientsin is located at an elevation of 4,600 feet and is a garden lover’s dream, with expansive green lawns, colorful flower beds and a tennis court. Lunch and tea here are served on a covered porch with a view towards the mountains or next to the swimming pool. With complete privacy from other villas, a stay here really feels fit for royalty. At a lower altitude, the other three bungalows have views of Castlereagh Reservoir, which is also where seaplanes land for visitors who prefer not tackle the adventurous drive. Castlereagh, the original Tea Trails bungalow that opened in 2005, has the most fresh, colonial design, with a focus on luxurious interiors and a slightly smaller sitting and dining room, making for a very cozy cottage feel. Just up the road from Castlereagh, Dunkled has a more traditional Scottish feel, with darker interiors, as well as the largest infinity pool (of two) looking over the tea fields and reservoir. The most recent addition is Summerville, which sits across the reservoir (only a 10 minute boat ride from Castlereagh), which has a more modern style and a fantastic infinity pool directly on the water. With a smaller living room and lounge, guests can expect to mingle with the other residents a bit more when staying here. Much like at a safari or wilderness lodge, days at Tea Trails are arranged around meals, which are included in the stay. After breakfast, the resident chef specific to the villa will run lunch and dinner plans by the guests, and there are juices and snacks available throughout the day. Morning “bed tea” kicks off your day (very Downton Abbey) and High Tea, complete with clotted cream and scones highlights the afternoon. To offset all the eating (which is excellent and can be fully customized to preference), many guests choose to hike or bike in the area, though bikers need to be hearty: the terrain here is steep. Each bungalow has a couple of well-marked shorter hikes in its vicinity, and those wishing for a more challenging trek can hike from one bungalow to another for meals, a dip in the pool or a well deserved cocktail—guests can book these in advance or at any time and grab a ride from the villa drivers. Don’t forget to enjoy the tea by booking the Dunkeld Tea Factory Experience, where guests learn about the local tea production from the master blenders and makers working here. One tasting is included with each stay. When it is all said and done, relax with a spa treatment, but be sure to book an in-room experience in advance as there are only two masseuses. It’s good to know ahead of time that there are some downsides to staying at such an intimate and historic property. Doors and walls are not as sound-proof as one would like, which is not ideal when you have a mix of guests with varying degrees of jetlag from around the world (though in most cases, this villa hotel draws a rather subdued, older clientele). Even though each bungalow is generously sized, when it rains, guests retreat to the same three or four common areas, so if someone wants to watch a soccer game on TV, it’s difficult to escape. And just like at any other lodge in the world, pre-dinner cocktails entail some mingling. That said, for most travelers, Tea Trails will be a must-do on their itinerary—it’s simply one of the most authentic and memorable hotel stays in the country. Much like at Cape Weligama, what elevates it is the incredible team of butlers and guides who not only speak excellent English but who look after their guests with a lot of care, humor and thought. Many have been with Tea Trails for years (always a good sign) and are eager to have guests appreciate the special beauty of this region. Who Should Stay Anyone looking for an intimate setting, Tea Trails is a truly authentic, lovely experience that should not be missed. The high elevation makes for a welcome drop in temperatures, and at the mid-point of a busy itinerary, the relaxed vibe, the complimentary laundry service and the soothing green vistas of Tea Country are appreciated. Ideal Length of Stay Two nights is the very minimum (due to the bumpy drive it takes to get here); three is just right; four will add a serious element of relaxation to your Sri Lanka itinerary, so is a good fit for travelers who are not starting or ending at the beach. Getting There Travelers who wish to skip the arduous roads leading to Tea Trails can arrive via seaplane or helicopter, from Kandy, Colombo and Galle (with flying times of 15, 20 and 30 minutes respectively). Impact Indagare Impact hotels have been carefully vetted according to our Impact Hotel Criteria. As a restored tea plantation, Ceylon Tea Trails has the opportunity to make everything old new again. To that end, the property and its parent organization, Resplendent Ceylon, engage in numerous impactful initiatives to preserve the local biosphere and improve the lives of people living in it. The property partners with the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust to preserve local biodiversity, especially with regards to the highland leopard in the Peak Ridge Forest Corridor. Their Resplendent Academy, established with the William Angliss Institute at SLIIT, offers hospitality training focused on luxury service, female empowerment and local employment, fostering skills that enhance tourism. These initiatives, along with eco-friendly guest activities and support for traditional artisans, underscore a commitment to sustainable, community-centered luxury."