Nuwara Eliya is absolutely one of the coolest, most interesting, but also quirkiest places in Sri Lanka, and I’m about to tell you why. We had been soaking up the sun on the Sri Lankan south coast, getting used to palm trees, beach towns, and that laid-back island vibe. But once we hit Nuwara Eliya, everything flipped.
Located up in the hills, Nuwara Eliya is way cooler—literally. The hills are blanketed in tea plantations, and everywhere you look, there are old colonial buildings and hotels. Honestly, it feels like we got teleported straight to England. Yep, it’s pretty wild but makes sense since Nuwara Eliya was a retreat for the British during colonial times. They’d come here to unwind, go hunting, and enjoy the ‘Sri Lankan highlands’ (which is what “Nuwara Eliya” means, by the way).
We spent some time in this charming little town, also known as Little England, and now we’re excited to share our top tips on where to stay in Nuwara Eliya.
- Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya – Best Hotels
- Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya – Best Areas
- Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya for the first time: Nuwara Eliya City Center
- Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya for luxury and the best Nuwara Eliya Hotels: Queen Victoria Park
- Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya for relaxation: Hawa Eliya
- Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya for the best views: Lake Gregory
- Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya – Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya – Best Hotels
Let’s dive right in and talk about the coolest spots in Nuwara Eliya, starting with the hotels. You’re in for a treat here if you’re after something unique. Many of these places, like the Grand Hotel, are original colonial buildings, giving off serious English vibes. They even serve high tea! Honestly, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to England rather than still being in Sri Lanka. Anyone else craving scones and tea right now?
Best Hotels in Nuwara Eliya: The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is, hands down, the most iconic and historic hotel in Nuwara Eliya. It’s over 100 years old and has been restored to maintain its colonial charm while offering modern amenities. The rooms are spacious and elegant, with high ceilings and views of the surrounding hills. And as mentioned before, they serve a traditional English high tea that you can enjoy (even if you’re not staying there) in their beautifully manicured gardens.
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Best Hotels in Nuwara Eliya: The Westbury Palace
Another very colonial and luxurious option, The Westbury Palace is a former plantation house turned boutique hotel. The Westbury Palace features accommodation with unique rooms styled with antique furniture and modern comforts. The hotel offers free private parking, room service, a buffet breakfast, and an outdoor swimming pool. It is also located within walking distance of the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course.
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Best Hotels in Nuwara Eliya: Bellwood Manor
If you’re looking for something even more exclusive and luxurious, then Bellwood Manor features accommodation for luxury lovers. The property is surrounded by tea fields and features a restaurant serving delicious local cuisine. You’ll get to enjoy free private parking, a buffet breakfast, and great room service, and you’ll be located within walking distance of some tea plantations. Plus, you can enjoy an afternoon tea on the veranda while taking in the breathtaking views.
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Best Hotels in Nuwara Eliya: The Montfort Nuwara Eliya
For those who prefer a more modern style, The Montfort Nuwara Eliya offers chic and contemporary rooms with all the necessary amenities. This hotel also features a restaurant serving both local and international cuisine, along with a bar to relax in after a long day of exploring. Plus, they offer free private parking and room service for added convenience. And if you’re traveling with kids, there’s even a playground on site.
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Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya – Best Areas
Now, let’s dive into the best areas on where to stay in Nuwara Eliya! There are so many hotels, hostels, and guesthouses beyond the few I mentioned earlier, so you’ll definitely find something that fits your budget. I’d love to recommend a few areas, especially if you don’t have a scooter. Nuwara Eliya may be small, but it’s not the most walkable place. So, finding the right spot to stay is key to making the most of your trip.
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya for the first time: Nuwara Eliya City Center
The Nuwara Eliya City Center is the sweet spot for first-time visitors. It’s super close to top attractions like Victoria Park and Gregory Lake. Plus, with loads of restaurants and shops nearby, it’s perfect for exploring the city on foot.
For all you budget travelers, the city center is your best bet. Hotels here are more affordable, and most importantly, it’s where you’ll find all the great local eateries. Nuwara Eliya is mostly countryside, so if you’re outside the city center, food options are pretty limited. One of my favorites is a cozy vegetarian spot called Ambaal’s. They whip up delicious Sri Lankan and Indian dishes that won’t break the bank.
Things to do in Nuwara Eliya City Center
- Watch a Movie: Funnily enough, there actually is quite a modern cinema in the city center. If you’re in the mood to catch a film, head to the Regal Cinema complex and check out what’s playing.
- Take a Tea Plantation tour: – The city center is the perfect starting point for a tea plantation tour. You can choose to visit one of the larger, more commercialized plantations with a tea factory or opt for a smaller, family-run one where you’ll learn about the traditional process of making tea. Either way, you’ll get a taste of the stunning tea fields that surround Nuwara Eliya.
- Try Local Delicacies: When it comes to food, Nuwara Eliya has some unique dishes that are worth trying. Don’t miss out on the famous Sri Lankan breakfast staple – string hoppers with dhal curry and coconut sambal.
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya for luxury and the best Nuwara Eliya Hotels: Queen Victoria Park
Just south of the city center, you’ll find Queen Victoria Park, a beautiful neighborhood known for its luxurious colonial-style hotels. The park itself is a lovely spot to wander, with lush gardens and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. If you’re seeking a bit of luxury during your stay in Nuwara Eliya, this is where you want to be.
I think this was our favorite area because it has that old colonial charm that I absolutely loved. Sure, the hotels here are a bit pricey, but if you book early, you can definitely snag some good hotel deals.
Even if you’re not staying at the Grand Hotel, I totally recommend heading there for high tea. It’s pretty affordable and comes with unlimited teas, all from the local tea factory. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Things to do in Queen Victoria Park
- High Tea at The Grand Hotel: Even though we didn’t stay here, we absolutely loved visiting and highly recommend you do the same. The high tea is served in the tea lounge of the Grand Hotel, which is partially outdoors. In case you’re not familiar, high tea involves a delightful stack of sandwiches, pastries, and desserts served with unlimited tea. It’s a fantastic opportunity to sample different local tea flavors.
Cost: USD$20 for standard high tea, USD$30 for a Prosecco pairing
Time: Every day from 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Play a round of golf: – We’re not the biggest golfers, but we just had to try a round in Nuwara Eliya because it’s known as one of the most beautiful courses in Asia. And wow, it did not disappoint! The course is right across from The Grand Hotel and offers jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains.
- Take a stroll through Victoria Park: This is a beautiful park located in the center of town, perfect for a leisurely walk or picnic. It’s especially lovely during the spring when all the flowers are in bloom.
Cost: USD$1 entrance fee
Time: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya for relaxation: Hawa Eliya
Honestly, if you head to Nuwara Eliya and crave a bit more peace and quiet away from the bustling town center, Hawa Eliya is the spot for you. Picture this: a beautiful area surrounded by tea plantations and rolling hills, just perfect for some good old R&R.
Sure, it’s a bit further from the town center, but if you don’t mind a little stroll or have your own scooter or tuk-tuk, it’s no biggie staying here.
And hey, if you’re like me and want to stay a bit active even while relaxing, there are plenty of hiking trails and nature walks to explore. Plus, you’ve got to try some fresh local tea while soaking in the serene vibes.
Things to do in Hawa Eliya
Hike to Lovers Leap Waterfall: This beautiful waterfall is an absolute must-see while you’re in Hawa Eliya! It’s about a 30-minute hike through the tea plantations, and trust me, the views are so worth it. It’s a bit of an adventure to get there—you’ll have to go through a tea factory and head past the manager’s office. The path is a little dirt road, but it’s fairly easy to find. There are signs everywhere, and the tea factory staff are usually super helpful.
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya for the best views: Lake Gregory
Another great area to stay in is around Lake Gregory. The lake is surrounded by parks and is absolutely gorgeous, especially in the spring and summer when the flowers are blooming. Sure, it’s a bit more touristy, but that just means there are plenty of restaurants and shops to explore.
The best part is that there are tons of hotels and guesthouses with stunning lake views. It’s a little tricky to get to if you don’t have a scooter or tuk-tuk, but if you’ve got your transportation sorted and want to stay somewhere a bit outside the town center, Lake Gregory is one of my top picks.
Things to do in Lake Gregory
Boat Ride on the Lake: One of my absolute favorite ways to experience Lake Gregory is by hopping on a boat. You can rent paddle boats or join a guided tour on a larger motorized boat. Trust me, it’s such a peaceful and scenic activity that gives you a whole new perspective of the lake.
Visit Pedro Tea Estate: Just a short trip from Lake Gregory is the famous Pedro Tea Estate. Here, you can dive into the fascinating world of tea production in Sri Lanka and sip on a fresh cup of Ceylon tea. The views from the tea factory are simply stunning, and it’s an amazing way to soak up the country’s rich culture and history.
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya – Frequently Asked Questions
🏨 Are there good hotels in Nuwara Eliya?
In my opinion, the Nuwara Eliya hotels are some of the best in Sri Lanka. Seriously, many of them offer awesome perks like an outdoor swimming pool, fantastic room service, free private parking, free breakfast, free tea, and all sorts of other goodies. You can find everything from trendy hotels like the Heritance Tea Factory hotel—yep, it used to be an actual tea factory turned modern hotel—to iconic old colonial gems like the Grand Hotel.
I stayed at one of these places last summer, and let me tell you, waking up to the cool mountain air and a hot cup of Ceylon tea is an experience you won’t forget!
âś… Is it worth visiting Nuwara Eliya?
I absolutely recommend you explore Nuwara Eliya! While many hot spots in Sri Lanka are warm and tropical, Nuwara Eliya is a fantastic escape from the heat. The nature here is stunning, and visiting the tea plantations, staying in old colonial hotels, or enjoying a high tea are super fun experiences that might surprise you in a country like Sri Lanka.
If you’re a fan of hidden gems in Sri Lanka, check out our guide on Where to stay in Hiriketiya!
đźš‚ How do I get to Nuwara Eliya?
The most popular way to get here is definitely by train. You’ve probably heard of the famous train ride from Kandy to Ella or the other way around, right? Well, Nuwara Eliya is pretty much smack dab in the middle of those two towns, so it’s super easy to hop on a train from either direction. It’s a fantastic way to break up the journey and enjoy those stunning mountain views. Not a fan of train rides? No worries! You can also catch a bus or hire a private car to get here.
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya – Final Words
Well, I have to say, Nuwara Eliya totally caught me by surprise! I didn’t even plan on going there, but while sorting out my train ride from Ella to Kandy, someone mentioned it and I thought, “Why not check it out?”
Lucky for me, I did take that little detour because Nuwara Eliya is one of the coolest spots in Sri Lanka. The hotels and accommodations here are super iconic. The nature—with its mountains, tea plantations, and waterfalls—is absolutely stunning. And the tea factories? Super interesting!
I hope I’ve piqued your interest in Nuwara Eliya and its amazing tea plantations. With this article, you’ll be all set for where to stay in Nuwara Eliya. Happy Travels!
