Camellia Hills

Of the five individual bedrooms at Camellia Hills, the two cosiest are the Camellia Bedrooms. The first, Norton, is a Castlereagh Lake-facing room with king-sized four-poster bed, sitting area and ensuite bathroom, while twin-bedded room Maskeliya gazes south easterly across a lush jungly hillside, and is an elongated room with a private garden-view terrace.

Both bedrooms are equipped with wardrobes, armchairs, desks and ceiling fans, and have private white-tiled ensuite bathrooms with strong showers. With each room decorated with light tones of blue and and white, with carefully curated dashes of vibrant colour, the Camellia Bedrooms provide a calming little oasis for you to relax and unwind in at the end of a day exploring all that the historic Castlereagh Valley has to offer.

Three of the five bedrooms at Camellia Hills guarantee stunning views and luxurious comfort, those being Dickoya, Osbourne and Warleigh. Dickoya is a big family-friendly bedroom bathed in light. It’s ensuite bathroom, with bathtub, connects it with a second single room with pull-out trundle bed, making it suitable for families of four. Osbourne’s unique for its twin aspect mountainside and lake-facing views, and has a private decked terrace and big ensuite bathroom with rain shower and bathtub. And last but not least, Warleigh, on the lower ground floor, opens directly onto the lawn through three sets of French windows. It’s roomy and secluded, and a favourite with honeymooners.

Each room at Camellia Hills is different, unique, and means that whatever you need for a stay at this countryside retreat, you’ll find.

With just the five rooms, dining at Camellia Hills is relaxed and atmospheric. The wooden-floored dining room is a cosy space with just a handful of tables – there’s also an open-air terrace with a wall of windows for maximum lake views. The food keeps on coming too – the rates include breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, not to mention a series of drinks whenever you want them. European options are available, but you’d be a fool to miss out on the Sri Lankan classics; the lentil dhal and roti especially!

With the hotel in the middle of the valley of lush green tea bushes, you need only open the curtains to see the dramatic panoramic vistas of the Castlereagh Valley. But, to really get a sense of the history and beauty take a stroll through the tea fields and explore the dynamic Sri Lankan countryside. Through the flourishing tea bushes to the cascading waterfalls, you can stop and picnic amidst the marvellous scenery. You can visit the colonial-era tea factory at the edge of the valley and see for yourself the many lives this region has lived.

Travel by boat to the colonial-era Warleigh Church, a popular tourist destination. Regarded as one of the oldest and most prominent Anglican churches in Sri Lanka, visitors are able to learn about its history, while taking in the stunning views. Built in the English architectural style of the time, a visit to Warleigh Church illuminates Sri Lanka’s fascinating and complex history.

Easily arranged through your butler or the bungalow staff, and enjoy a trip on the mirror-like Castlereagh Reservoir that spans 5km of deep valley. Take in the lush green of the valley and spot wildlife of the region as you travel the water.

With the option of six trails, you can set yourself the challenge of climbing Adam’s Peak, the tallest mountain in the region. Get to the top, take in the view and see if you can spot any elephants or leopards along the way!

Get your adrenaline pumping spending the afternoon white-water rafting. Take a break from relaxing by the pool to experience the wilder waters and see another side to the beautiful hill country.

The owners of Camellia Hills have worked hard to make sure that the tourism industry in Sri Lanka can prosper well, under the Sri Lankan Tourism Alliance. After the tragedy of the Easter Sunday attacks, Sri Lankans and world travellers alike came together to promote Sri Lanka as a destination. With one in ten families reliant on tourism for income, this solidarity is vital in the efforts to maintain the health of the industry.

The team at Camellia Hills is acutely aware of the damage that single-use plastics are having on the environment. That is why they have made every effort to remove them from everyday use. Being in the middle of such beautiful countryside highlights the need for care and consideration when it comes to the materials we use, which is exactly how the team at Camellia Hills conduct themselves.