The Flame Tree Estate & Hotel

WOW Where do I start…. This place is special and I will try to keep the summary super clear. 1) This former plantation house is hidden from the road and set in 25 acres. When we drove up the lane I did think OMG what have I done as it’s very off beat…. But then we were blown away. 2) Angelo and the team are just world class as nothing is too much. We had an issue with an air conditioning unit and they resolved it immediately 3) The owner is English and David’s attention to detail is incredible . We didn’t meet him which was a shame as he wasn’t in the country. 4)The main house is incredible and the former home of the mayor of Kandy. 5) The food was incredible with a tasting menu each night. 6) Breakfast was a joy to start the day and lunch superb. 7) The chef is excellent 8) Rooms are super clean and all differently decorated which is a nice touch. 9) Affinity pool is superb 10) Now the estate walk. Incredible for the 30min or the 1.30hr BUT watch out for the leechs as we both got bitten. Didn’t realise until we took our shoes off and blood everywhere but it’s a top walk. 10) The resort taxi team especially Malsham is a must if you are doing a tour. Super lad and a good driver . 11) Watch the slippy marble in the rain as I went flying 12) wildlife is unreal! Mongoose , eagles, monkeys and of course leeches and snakes! This resort is a 9.8 on *********** and for me to make it a 10 I would add tea and coffee making facilities in the rooms and have feather pillows. That’s it! World class !!!! Honestly one of the best places I have ever been to and would love to return.

If Sri Lanka is the pearl of the Indian Ocean, this place is the diamond of Sri Lanka!!! Location, vibe, setting, service, ambience - all is absolutely amazing! This is not probably the place for you if you are looking for a big, grand hotel - 5* international chains. This place is so much more than just a hotel - full of character, style and just little details which make its guest feel special and more like at a private villa than at a hotel. Firstly - location is just amazing. Set amidst a private estate bordering the jungle, the hotel is both close enough to Kandy but far enough to be in a peaceful, serene setting filled only by the bird songs and the wind. Grounds are vibrant and full of colour - manicured without looking manicured. Rooms are large, comfortable and full of character. Huge bathrooms with outdoors showers, bedrooms overlooking the greenest green you can ever see. Service - perhaps the one thing that really sets this place apart. The team is so welcoming, friendly. Service is so personal and yet inobtrusive. Hareth was so kind that he took us on a night trekking around the grounds looking for the elusive (but common) porcupine. He showed us giant squirrels and brought us tea from local herbs (picked only early mornings). In fact, we ended up spending all our time in the area not leaving the property with the exception of a quick dash to the Royal Palace and temple in the city. The Flame Tree Hotel is one of this rare places that a seasoned traveler stumbles upon sometimes and feels so happy because they know they have found a place where they would want to come back to again and again and is simply becoming a destination of its own. Will certainly go back!

What can I say that hasn’t already been said. The house and grounds are stunning ,the staff ,food and beautiful family of miniature schnauzers are an absolute delight. Our 3 days just wasn’t long enough so we will be back😀 Special thanks to Malike our guide and driver who we spent 2 very enjoyable days with & who also recommended a driver in Galle to take us back to the airport. David well done on making The Flame Tree should a special place to stay.

Wow -- what an amazing and truly unique place. It is like stepping into an episode of Poirot, albeit with no crimes, just true style and genuine friendliness. The manager Angelo, the owner James, and every single one of their staff are all a dream to be with. The surroundings are gorgeous, the buildings exciting as well as impeccably well kept, the rooms and beds very comfortable, the food fantastic, the spa and its masseurs brilliant, and the atmosphere one-of-a-kind. We had just read about it online and weren't quite sure what to expect -- and were blown away. We came in low season, so we and our driver were the only guests, but even if all seven or eight guest rooms are used, there is plenty of space for everyone. We are truly grateful for having made the decision to come here and just would have wished to stay longer. We are also grateful to the whole staff for taking so good care of us. Given the quality of this boutique hotel, I must say the rates were also very reasonable.

This is one of the nicest boutique hotels i have ever stayed in. The surroundings are serene and idyllic, the food amazing and the staff exceptional! I will definitely return one day- it was stunning. The rooms are luxurious, the view is beautiful, the ambience is about relaxing and serenity.

Having read the other glowing reviews of this delightful hotel, I am running out of superlatives to describe this gorgeous place. The main house is utterly stunning and has an air of colonial splendour to it. The owner, David, has restored it beautifully and the rooms are full of stylish furniture, art and Sri Lankan artefacts. The staff are so kind and helpful – just when you are taking a breather between delicious meals, they arrive at your lounger with tea and cake. The views from the hotel are stunning – looking across the infinity pool at dusk is breathtaking. David’s arrival is usually heralded by his hilarious and very pampered five schnauzers. They do bark excitedly occasionally but soon quieten down and follow him about devotedly. Bear this in mind if you aren’t keen on dogs. Personally I loved them. We stayed at the hotel for a full 2 weeks and used it as a base with day trips out to various places including the amazing Sigirya and Dambulla, all organised via the hotel manager with Malshan, an excellent local driver. I wouldn’t hesitate to return to this blissful place. We spoke to many other guests and all of them were very happy and wished they were staying longer. We stayed in the Dancing Elephant family room with its huge bathroom and beautiful view at the back of the Annexe. Sometimes we could watch monkeys swinging through the pink blossomed trees in the early morning and it’s also a great place for birdwatching. I can’t wait to return.

We booked a 2 night stay here and ended up staying for 4 nights because it was just the most incredible estate. From the moment we arrived, Angelo and all of the staff made us feel instantly at home. From the food to the service to the design of the place, we loved everything about it. We've travelled a lot and this is by far one of the nicest places we've ever stayed. We can't wait to visit again! Miss it already!!

Well set out spacious rooms in the main building and grounds, beautifully decorated with enormous bathrooms. Food excellent with staff able to tailor meals to individual tastes. Staff very welcoming and helpful. Just a really lovely place to relax for a few days.

Awesome place and stuff ! Extraordinary and perfect stay. A Perfect and wonderful place to relax! Awesome atmosphere with great Hospitality, stuff and Service! Thank you so much David and Angelo and all the other great guys for this incredible stay with you. As said its like the Raffles, just better (-; Its a hotel in the middle of a great landscape, about 17 km from Kandy. Monkeys, birds and a wonderful vegetation and nature with a great view. The pool is perfect - clean and fresh and absolutely outstanding. The room (called hanging monkey) was really big with a great bed, wide bathroom with outdoor rainshower and very very clean. It’s like being in paradise, everybody of the stuff did a perfect job. Very kind, courteous and relaxed. Perfect service and in addition great food and drinks. We loved the breakfast with egg hoppers and originally ingredients. Dinner was also very nice, lots of vegetarian and healthy meals, so good! Thank you again David and team (and dogs) for this absolutely unforgettable stay. Next time we will definitely stay more than 2 days!!