Why we like it
- Enjoy the eight hectares of beautiful landscape which surround the hotel
- A beautifully restored 16th-century plantation bungalow
- The seven spacious suites feature unique designs themed on historic regional figures
- Explore the surrounding tea plantations and discover the legacy of Sir Thomas Lipton
About Thotalagala
The hillside sanctuary of Thotalagala overlooks the stunning scenery of south-eastern Sri Lanka. Right in the heart of tea country, this beautifully restored plantation bungalow still retains all the charm of its original design. Nearby Dambatenne Tea Factory, one of the country’s best-known estates, is alive with history. This is the historic home of Sir Thomas Lipton, where Lipton’s Tea was founded, and it was also here that the term ‘Ceylon Tea’ was first coined.
This beautiful bungalow houses seven spacious suites, each themed upon personalities that have shaped the province of Uva, including the Sir Thomas Lipton suite. Enjoy atmospheric meals around the 20-seater table and relax afterwards in the teak-panelled smoking room.
Locally, you can tour the Dambatenne Tea Factory and take hikes through the Haputale Hills or the hotel’s eight-hectare grounds. However, you can also enjoy the convenient location of Thotalagala by going further afield. From here, you can travel up to two hours to reach a range of different experiences. Visit the historic city of Kandy further north, where famous attractions like the Temple of The Sacred Tooth Relic and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens can be found. You can also explore the sumptuous beaches of the South Coast and the wildlife-rich national parks of Yala and Udawalawe.