Ceylon Tea Trails: Unwind in the Emerald Heart of Sri Lanka

This is Sri Lanka — a destination that feels far enough to transport you into another world, yet close enough to do on a long weekend. And nestled in its emerald heart is one of the most exceptional hideaways you will ever stumble upon — Ceylon Tea Trails.

Part of Resplendent Ceylon and the prestigious Relais & Châteaux, Ceylon Tea Trails isn’t just a hotel. It’s a journey. A luxurious, immersive experience that takes you into Sri Lanka’s colonial past, natural beauty, and warm hospitality — all while keeping things low-key, tasteful, and supremely elegant.

“I saw these British planter houses from the 1880s on our estates,” says Malik Fernando, the man behind it all. “They weren’t in great condition, but I thought, let’s renovate one and see where it goes. Now we have five beautifully restored bungalows, all connected by walking trails through tea country.”

And that’s the magic. You don’t just stay at Tea Trails — you move through it. You walk between the bungalows, soak in landscapes straight out of a postcard, breathe crisp highland air, and indulge in quiet luxury. Each bungalow has its own charm. Think warm fires, antique furniture, clawfoot bathtubs, four-poster beds, and views that stretch endlessly across the tea estates. When was the last time you caught a glimpse of a firefly or heard the chirping of cricket (the insect)?

The Summerville Bungalow, for instance, sits right on the edge of a Lake, with misty views of the hills and valleys — the kind of view you don’t want to blink and miss. Other bungalows like Norwood, Tientsin, Castlereagh and Dunkeld offer their own slice of paradise, surrounded by endless green and absolute peace. This is also an opportunity for a complete digital detox and connect with nature as there are no TVs inside the rooms.

And what a story it is. The concept of Ceylon Tea Trails grew out of the idea that travel should be about more than just a bed to sleep in. “Hotels are important,” says Malik, “but they are secondary to the experience. The location, the landscape, what you do — that’s what really matters. The property needs to tie in with the surroundings. You can’t have a beautiful hotel in isolation.”

And that’s exactly what Tea Trails nails. From guided tea estate walks with their resident planter, Bernard Holsinger, to high tea on manicured lawns — the experience is as immersive as it is indulgent. You will learn how tea is grown, picked and processed, and maybe even find yourself sipping a cup overlooking the very slope it came from.

What’s refreshing is how effortless it is to get there. For Indians, the visa is just an ETA — it takes five minutes online. The flight to Colombo is shorter than flying to some Indian cities. And once you land, a quick transfer and a scenic ride later, you are checking into your bungalow, being handed a glass of wine. It’s that easy.

What makes it even more tempting is that you don’t need to carve out ten days from your calendar. You could do just three nights, and it would still feel like a proper holiday. A lot of travellers from the South — especially Telangana and Andhra — don’t realise that this kind of world-class luxury is just next door. “Most people associate Sri Lanka with mid-market travel or beach resorts,” says Malik. “But we are showing them that Sri Lanka can be ultra-luxury, too.”

The philosophy is simple — boutique scale, exceptional design, immersive experiences, and heartfelt Sri Lankan hospitality. “We are the only Relais & Châteaux properties in Sri Lanka,” Malik says with quiet pride. “We have hosted actors, celebrities... But at the heart of it, it’s about creating meaningful journeys for every guest.”