Ceylon Tea Trails - Relais and Chateaux

We stayed at the Norwood Bungalow of the Ceylon Tea Trails properties. Property was first class in every sense of the word, from the food, service, all inclusive and attention to details. Only six rooms so feels like a private home up in tea country. We also had lunch at the Dunkeld Bungalow and service and food was equally good. A perfect place to relax in the tea country, with the availability of walks in the countryside or swimming in the lovely pool. First class service from our two butlers Anoj and Rahid-thank you!!!! Just excellent!!!

We had an absolutely amazing stay at Summerville Bungalow. From the moment we arrived, Sanjaya and his team went out of their way to make sure everything was just right. They really took care of us and made us feel so welcome. I have a severe nut and sesame allergy, and I can’t say enough about how well the kitchen team handled it. Every meal was carefully planned, and they always came up with something exciting for lunch and dinner. I even got to pick the entire menu twice, which was such a treat! The chef and his team truly deserve a lot of credit for their attention to detail. A special shoutout to Kumara, who looked after us every evening at dinner. His service was next level, and his cocktails wonderful. His friendly and attentive nature really made a difference to our overall experience. The bungalow itself is well-kept with a simple yet elegant design. The views of the reservoir are stunning, and the pool is a lovely place to unwind—though the water was a bit on the cooler side! One small thing to mention is that, like at other Resplendent properties we’ve stayed at, the beds are quite firm. Ours seemed to be two mattresses pushed together, so there was a small gap in the middle—not a huge deal, but something to note for those who prefer a softer bed. The activities on offer were enjoyable, but we were a bit surprised to see a $30 charge for kayaking around the reservoir on your own, especially given that this was an all-inclusive stay. In most other hotels and resorts we’ve been, kayaking is nearly always included. All in all, we had an unforgettable time and truly appreciated the warmth and hospitality of the entire team.

Must be one of the best hotel experiences in the world. We stayed in Castlereagh a 5 bedroom tea planters 1930s bungalow set in fabulous lawns and gardens with views over the lake. Each room had a private garden as well. Meals are all prepared specially for you after discussion with the chef. The service was incredible- special mention to Singh and Aruna, food delicious. All meals and drinks included in the price. We booked through luxurious Lanka. The tea tasting with Bernard is not to be missed. He is a fund of great stories and knows all you could ever want to know about tea