Thotalagala

Loved it here. We had a wonderful room, Major Rogers. Had a very welcome drink of spicy hot chocolate when we arrived. Great food! Fabulous service. Afternoon tea on the lawn is a must if the weather is nice. Because of its location at 5,000 feet above sea level, it can get a bit chilly at night but they put hot water bottles in your bed! Lovely communal dining table for evening meals. Breakfast & lunch are served on the terrace. Service was amazing too!

This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever travelled to. The location and the landscape offer breathtaking views.||||The hotel itself is quaint and peaceful. The grounds of the hotel create a tranquil atmosphere. The staff are so warm, welcoming and friendly. Each and every staff member was so genuine and couldn’t do enough to help. ||||The food here is exceptional - each meal was exquisite. ||||The overall atmosphere of this place is intoxicatingly perfect and I will definitely return. I couldn’t recommend Thotalagala more - if you love nature, understated luxury and tranquility, you must visit!

This was the second stop on our Sri Lanka tour. This is a lovely place to stay in the hill country as it’s quiet set in a historic building. ||Service from all the staff was excellent as was the food. I tended to have the Sri Lankan option at all meals which were really good but my wife enjoyed the western offerings too. ||Our room was pilkington which was junior suite. Well appointed and spacious. ||My wife had a really bad cough and cold during our stay so we didnt end up taking advantage of the tea tour and the high tea experience but other guests enjoyed them||Much cooler in the hill country which was a pleasant change - they put hot water bottles on our beds at night which was a nice touch.

* "We had an absolutely amazing time in Thotalagala Bungalow. It was one of the best places i visited in Sri Lanka.The room were spacious and spotless, with beautiful décor that made me feel cozy. A big thanks to Ms Seshaya & The staff there because they were attentive and went out of their way to ensure we were comfortable & enjoying our stay. They surprised us with a beautiful cake for our anniversary. The food was the best in dinner & breakfast. Sure i will recommend this heaven to my family & friends.

A wonderful stay at Thotalagala Tea Plantation, with amazing and attentive staff, and can highly recommend it. We needed a break and this experience certainly delivered. ||The views are breathtaking, especially from the infinity pool at the edge of the garden. Perfect for some time to read a book, reflect on life and have meaningful conversations. ||We looked forward to dinner, for the delicious meals and getting to know fellow travelers, as we are all seated at a communal table, encouraging storytelling. ||The team, under the leadership of Seshaya are genuinely wonderful and always there to assist. ||Special mention for Janaka, our butler, and Madhu, the naturalist. If you decide to go on the hike around the plantation, ask for Madhu to join you as he has a wealth of information to share. ||Thank you for a most memorable time and looking forward to our next visit.

This was our first visit to Sri Lanka and we were hooked from day one. We spent three nights enjoying the tranquility of Thotalagala and we will certainly return. There is something truly special about the gentle hospitality and quiet energy of this historical home. It is like stepping back in time. ||Nothing was too much trouble for the friendly staff who were quietly on hand to make our stay memorable without too much fuss or intrusion. Our suite was tastefully furnished with a large comfortable four poster bed and a spacious bathroom. The hot water bottles at turn down were a welcome treat on the chillier evenings.||The food was as abundant as it was delicious. The á la carte breakfast menu had something for everyone - the Sri Lankan option is a must try, and the dinner menus changed every night with a wide range of choice. We rarely had room for lunch, but we did indulge in the award-winning afternoon tea one day. The house has plenty of intimate spaces (indoors and out) to enjoy cocktails and mealtimes but we loved joining the communal table each evening where we met some fascinating guests from all over the world. ||The highlight of our stay were our outings with Madhu - the hotel’s resident nature guide. The pre-dawn visit to Lipton’s Seat and the tour of the tea factory were enjoyable and educational, but the real treats were his guided rambles and nature hikes around the tea estate. We learned so much from Madhu about the history and culture of the local people, as well as the colorful birds and wildlife. We cannot wait to return.||A few tips for first time travelers:|Bring long trousers and sturdy shoes for the hikes, as well as some warmer clothing for the early morning and evening outings. Avoid walking bare-foot on the grass, and be sure to wear the leech-proof gaiters that are supplied by the hotel if you go for a hike! ..we got leeched and survived to tell the tale.

What a wonderful place to stay when visiting the tea fields. Our room was fabulous & the combine public lounge areas of old style English character were great. We loved eating our meals in the dining room on the long table chatting to other travellers. The staff are always on hand willing to help. Also great food & drinks. Loved our stay.

We spent 3 night at Thotalagala. The place was truly amazing! The rest of the review is in my son’s words.||“A beautiful 19th century bungalow you don’t want to miss. Beds were cosy, hot chocolate was tasty, AND there were hot water bottles on them too, which I seriously enjoyed. Food was great, staff extremely friendly, and a wonderful view of the hills. There’s also a little walking track from here which takes about 1 hour, so good exercise. The staff even gave us a packed lunch when we wouldn’t arrive back in time for lunch. It’s definitely worth driving 6 hours straight to go here. Highly recommend! 11 out of 10.”