Ellerton is a century-old property, about 18km south of Kandy, Central Sri Lanka. Built in traditional style with corrugated iron roofs, verandas and gardens, for the manager of a large tea estate, it sits high above the Kandy hills with picturesque surroundings. The hundred-year-old building however, fell to disrepair until it was bought by a British couple Richard & Cary Goode, who painfully refurbished the property into a boutique hotel retaining the old colonial character and charm.
Housed within the main house and two Annexe, Ellerton has just eight rooms. All are spacious, individually decorated with antique or period style furniture and ensuite bathrooms with modern facilities. The large sitting room is the centre of the Main House with comfy sofas and grandfather clock that chimes at the hour. Traditional Sri Lankan and Continental style meals are served in the open-sided pavilion next to the Valley House or in the dining room in the Main House.
For relaxation, Ellerton has a spring fed swimming pool with sun loungers and a stunning garden with shaded areas to relax and home to a variety of birdlife. There are nature trails and there are bikes available that guests can borrow to explore the nearby village of Gurukelle and the Nilambe Hydro Power damn with some amazing natural rock formations downstream. There is also a friendly cat and a dog, who is always keen to go on walks with the guests.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomFitness CentreGardenLibraryOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay Ellerton has just eight guest rooms spread in three areas. All are spacious and stylishly designed in minimalist colonial style with period furniture, polished concrete floors and large windows offering wide vistas. Three charming rooms are in the Main plantation house that retains its colonial feel while another three rooms are in the Valley House ‘Annexe’, which overlooks the infinity pool and the two self-contained Garden Rooms. All have en-suite bathroom, some with bathtubs or veranda.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Ellerton. Rooms in the Valley House or the self-contained Garden Rooms are situated away from the main house, enjoy more private and have their own terraces which make them ideal for families. Children will enjoy mountain biking in the surrounds and a visit to the Millennium Elephant Foundation, about 1.5 hours’ drive away.
Dine The two chefs at the Ellerton Restaurant, create a variety of traditional and Continental cuisine with many ingredients including vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices grown on the estate. Meals are served in the open-sided pavilion next to the Valley House or in the dining room in the Main House. Dinner is a 3-course set menu of Anglo-Sinhalese dishes. Lunches include simple dishes like sandwiches, soups and salads, while breakfast is a buffet with cereals, fruits, toast and eggs.
Relax Facilities at Ellerton include a swimming pool with stunning views overlooking the jungle, and there are mountain bikes for guests to explore the stunning surrounds. There are plenty of spaces within the hotel to relax including a veranda and shaded corners in the garden or by the pool. Alternatively, take a leisurely stroll and enjoy spotting sunbirds, parakeets and the Sri Lankan hanging parrot.
Experience Kandy is home to the Temple of the Tooth, the renowned Buddhist site, and the botanical gardens at Peredeniya are not to be missed either. Ellerton is also a perfect place to visit the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnewala (1.5 hours' south) where the elephant bath time in the river is a particular highlight. Guests can also tour of the nearby Orangefield Tea Factory or visit the ‘Little England’ hill station at Nuwara Eliya (2 hrs south) for tea gardens, waterfalls and colonial throwbacks.
Location Ellerton sits on a hilltop, roughly 18km south of central Kandy, close to the geographic centre of Sri Lanka.
Getting there The nearest airport is Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (120km), roughly 3-hours by car but you are more likely to arrive with a driver as part of a trip around Sri Lanka. The last leg of the journey entails some hairpin bends on very steep gradients - not for the fainthearted.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. However, it barely gets unbearably hot in the Hill Country. The months of December to April are probably the best time to visit, when days are warm (around 28C) with cool nights. During the monsoon season from October to December you can expect heavy downpours. June to September are the driest months here when there’s almost no rain at all.
Destination
Central, Sri Lanka
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