Thotalagala is a hillside tea-planter’s bungalow turned boutique hotel, set in the southeast of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The property is situated in the heart of a tea plantation estate, originally planted by Sir Thomas Lipton and due to its eastern location, enjoys good weather during June, July and August, which is unusual for Sri Lanka's hills. Situated on Haputale Escarpment, Thotalagala serves as a perfect stop between Kandy and Sri Lanka's southern national parks.
This colonial-style Thotalagala bungalow, dates back to the 1870s, and is now home to seven spacious rooms. Each are elegantly decorated with antique furniture, polished wooden floors, king-size hardwood beds and black and white tiled bathrooms with free-standing baths. There are two sitting rooms and a dining room with high, open-beamed ceilings that retain its original charm. Whilst outside, are beautiful gardens with an infinity pool and sun loungers, offering grand vistas.
Thotalagala Estate borders Dambatenne, one of the few tea estates in the world that Sir Thomas Lipton planted himself. Today, it has the finest high grown tea that Sri Lanka produces. For activity enthusiasts, there is a challenging hike up to Lipton’s Seat, from where Sir Thomas would survey his tea plantations. In the surrounds, are Diyaluma Falls with many cool pools to swim in. Other sites include Adisham Monastery and Tangmalai, a bird sanctuary and natural reserve.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay Thotalagala retreat has just seven spacious suites, divided between the original house and the seamless new wing. Each are individually decorated with polished wooden floors, antique hardwood king-size beds and study tables. Rooms do not have grand views but its high, open-beamed ceilings, comfortable sitting areas with large windows ensure colonial charm. Bathrooms have black and white tiled floors and free-standing baths as well as powerful showers.
ChildCare Families with children of four years and above are welcome to stay Thotalagala at an extra charge. There are no extra beds, but there are sofa beds in the larger suites.
Dine The in-house restaurant at Thotalagala serves a variety of Sri Lankan and western-style dishes at every meal. Breakfast is usually on the lawn, overlooking the mountains and includes fresh bread from the oven, homemade preserves and fruit from nearby orchards. The chef will discuss with guests, options for lunch and dinner which are served on a large, colonial-style dining room or al fresco in the gardens and may include BBQ, and assortment of curries and desserts.
Relax Facilities at the Thotalagala include a beautiful unheated pool with sun-loungers and views of the rolling green hills. The beautiful garden is where breakfast is served and has shaded areas for relaxing during the day. There are two sitting rooms, both with fireplaces and in the surrounds, is the former residence of Sir Thomas Lipton, the Scottish tea baron, that Thotalagala guests can visit on an exclusive tour that includes the factory where Lipton’s Tea was founded.
Experience Situated high in the Haputale Hills, Thotalagala is centrally located between the mountains and southern coast, allowing easy access to many beauty spots of this fascinating island. An interesting hike is to Lipton’s Seat, from where Sir Thomas Lipton used to survey his burgeoning empire. Other interesting sites include Diyaluma (‘liquid light’) Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and to St. Benedict’s Monastery, beautifully preserved in English country-style gardens.
Location Thotalagala is located in Haputale in the Hill Country. The property sits south east of Nuwara Eliya and close to Lipton's Seat further east.
Getting there The nearest airport is Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (190km), roughly 5 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 windy roads.
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
Featured
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."
