Camellia Hills

We recently spent 4 nights at Camellia Hills in Dunkeld, Sri Lanka, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Although the journey to get there isn’t the easiest, once you arrive… wow! The location is absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views overlooking the tea plantations and the reservoir. We enjoyed some lovely local walks into the nearby village and through the tea fields, which made us feel even more connected to the area. Just a little word of advice—be careful of leeches if you go walking! I got caught on one of the trails, but it didn’t take away from the experience. The food at Camellia Hills was outstanding. They were so flexible with both the menu choices and meal timings, which made our stay feel very personal and relaxed. Every meal was delicious and beautifully prepared. The room was beautiful, and I highly recommend asking for the Werleigh Room—it offers absolutely stunning views. Waking up to that scenery each morning was amazing although the bed was a little firm for my personal preference and the air con blew directly onto the sleeping position !! Another small personal note: there was no whisky on offer, which I did miss in the evenings—but again, just a minor point. One experience I would highly recommend is visiting the nearby tea factory. It’s a must! Just make sure you go when the factory is in production so you can get the full experience. What really made the stay exceptional, though, was the staff. I can’t praise them enough. Their attention to detail, warmth, and genuine care were among the best I’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. They went out of their way to ensure we were comfortable and happy throughout our stay.

After spending a few days at Goatfell near Nuwara Eliya, we came down to Camellia Hills, another Teardrop hotel, for five days. This small boutique hotel is set in a stunning location amongst tea plantations overlooking Castlereagh lake. The service and quality of the food are exemplary, and we particularly enjoyed the Sri Lankan dishes at both breakfast and dinner. A very congenial atmosphere is created by Azhar and his staff, with nothing being too much trouble. As the climate is quite temperate, it is very comfortable for walking amongst the spectacular scenery, aided by apps such as AllTrails or Wikiloc. We met many friendly local people on these walks, with some going out of their way to ensure that we took the right paths. On our return, we were always presented with refreshing towels and the offer of tea and cake. Thanks again to all the staff for their warmth and impeccable service.

What a magnificent place! My wife and I stayed here for 2 nights, en route from Kandy, as we headed south. We took the train through the tea country and although the drive from Hatton station is quite tricky and takes a while, it is more than worth it. This modern take on a tea planter's bungalow is wonderful. The views across the "golden valley'" and the lake are sublime , our room was light, spacious and very comfortable and the dining and lounge areas lovely, There are only 5 rooms, so it is almost like having your own place. The staff were extremely attentive and hospitable, the breakfast world-class , as was dinner, which offered a mouth watering array of dishes, with local and international choices. Some fantastic walks available through the tea fields and guided excursion to the local tea factory offered. This was definitely one of those places which we agreed we would love to go back to. We could not recommend this hotel too highly

It was a great stay here at Camellia Hills. It is unlike a normal hotel as one feels like you are being looked after in a private house and you are really well looked after! It’s in a wonderful location and all the staff are sweet and kind and the manager is excellent and attentive. I would really recommend a stay.

The manager is hopeless. The food is barely average, and the service is the same. Either you will have one dish in one plate without salt and the next time there would be too much. Don't stay more than 2 nights as you will get fed up with the food. The view however is excellent on a good day!

What a joy, a beautiful location, wonderful hotel, exceptional service, and superb food. The Camellia Hills was one of our favourite hotels in Sri Lanka. The staff are fantastic offering just the right amount of attention without being intrusive, the gardens are beautiful and the views memorable. It is a small hotel with very few rooms but absolutely worth the effort. They can arrange a number of different activities from visiting a tea factory to canoeing in the lake. Due to the altitude it is a little cooler than other parts of Sri Lanka which is a welcome respite from the heat. A very relaxing tranquil place to catch your breath and enjoy the scenery and great food.