Sri Lanka Sri Lanka | Page 106

A nostalgic step back in time
THE HILL CLUB Nuwara Eliya
FOUNDED IN 1876 by a group of British coffee planters as a ‘ home away from home ,’ the Hill Club of Nuwara Eliya is now a privately-operated club for Sri Lankans and non-residents . After journeying through Sri Lankan villages and lush tropical landscapes , this mock-tudor mansion , set in a colourful English rose garden , emerges from behind the trees . Inside , you are greeted with an endless array of intriguing memorabilia . Stags ’ heads and antique maps adorn the walls , and the original telephone exchange sits in the hall . At the Hill Club , you can enjoy reading planters ’ tales in the reading room , regaling the day ’ s adventures by a log fire in the lounge , or playing darts and sipping gin and tonic at the bar . The billiard rooms , with their full-sized billiard tables , are still used for competitive tournaments . The Dining Hall serves set menus and a la carte in very formal , colonial style ; gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie and ladies to look smart . The 39 bedrooms are furnished with colonial period furniture and many still have fireplaces . They are reminiscent of British 1950 ’ s hotel rooms with thick , soft mattresses , and vintage utilities , although some of the bathrooms have a modern style . The Hill Club is only a short walk from the Club House of Nuwara Eliya Golf Club , so is ideal for those who want to play a few rounds , and within easy walking distance of the town ’ s other attractions .
Hotel facts
Location About 500m from Nuwara Eliya ’ s market and high street . 77km from Kandy ( 2 hours drive ). 190km from Yala and 240km from Bentota . Distance from airport About 5 hours drive away . Local interest Nuwara Eliya with its market , shops , lake , Victoria Park , historic racecourse and Turf Club ; Sita Amman Kovil , Hakgala Botanical Gardens , Horton Plains National Park ( 1.5 hours drive ), tea estates and tea factories ; mountain scenery , waterfalls , temples and mosques . Activities nearby Golf , pony rides , fishing , mountain climbing , hiking , bird watching . Special events Horse Racing ( April ), Golf Tournament ( June ). Child policy Children under 5 years are accommodated in the Chalets and are not permitted in the club . Category Tourist Class .
Accommodation at The Hill Club surrounded by an English rose garden
Mock-tudor architecture at The Hill Club
Facilities at the hotel
Restaurant in the dining hall , Casual dining room , Reading room , Lounge , Men ’ s bar , Casual bar , TV lounge , Billiard rooms with 2 full-sized tables , Darts , Games Room , 4 clay tennis courts with covered viewing platform , Laundry service , IDD telephone / email / internet at reception .
Accommodation
Number of rooms 39 bedrooms including 2 suites and 3 family chalet rooms . All with
HILL CLUB EXH1082 Expressions Holidays includes scheduled flights with Sri Lankan London to Colombo return in economy , private car transfers , bed and breakfast based on two people sharing a double or twin room .
Price guide per person based on sharing a Standard room . 7 nights from about £ 1,460
These prices are a guide only and do not take into account any special offers or peak season supplements . The best possible price will be put together for you at the time of enquiry .
Telephone , Heater , Room service . Most room categories have a choice of twin , double , or triple . Standard Room . Most of the bedrooms are twin-bedded . Superior Room . All with private en suite bathroom with shower and / or bath , mini-bar and TV . Some have a double bed . Suite Room . With twin beds , en suite bathroom , writing desk , armchairs and TV . Suite 1 can interconenct to a smaller twin-room . Family Chalet room where children dine too .
A colonial gem in a land of strawberries , tea and mountain mists
BANDARAWELA HOTEL Bandarawela
THE CHARMING colonial Bandarawela hotel is set in 6 acres of land in the centre of the bustling hill town of Bandarawela . This is a journey to the top of the highlands , a land of strawberries and tea , and mountain mists . The location of Bandarawela Hotel enables you to experience Sri Lankan town life , then step back into the hotel ’ s tranquil colonial surroundings , indulging in afternoon tea in the garden or sinking into comfy sofas in the lounge . A great deal of care and attention has gone into maintaining the original features of the Bandarawela Hotel , keeping much of it exactly as it was when the hotel opened in 1893 . A pool table sits proudly in one of the two bars , whilst historic photos and fascinating books can be found in the comfortable lounge . The restaurant oozes historic charm , serving classic colonial set menus and using vegetables from their own organic vegetable garden whenever possible . There are 32 standard rooms and a suite arranged on two floors around two courtyards , most with twin beds , although there are a few king-size bedded rooms . It is relatively cool up here , from about 12 to 20 degrees Celsius , so blankets are provided at night . The facilities at Bandarawela Hotel are old-fashioned and ‘ no-frills ’, yet well-preserved and maintained . Their ‘ green ’ credentials are impressive .
The Bandarawela Hotel entrance
BANDARAWELA HOTEL EXH1083 Expressions Holidays includes scheduled flights with Sri Lankan London to Colombo return in economy , bed and breakfast based on two people sharing a double or twin room .
This hotel is usually included as part of a touring holiday . Prices are available on request .
Exterior corridor at the Bandarawela Hotel
Hotel facts
Location At 1,230m above sea level , in the centre of the hill town of Bandarawela , in the Badulla district of Uva Province , amidst southern highlands and tea country . Distance from airport About 6 hours drive away . Local interest The hill town of Bandarawela , Bandarawela railway station , scenic rail journey , tea factories and estates , Adisham Monastery , Lipton ’ s Seat , Ella Gap , Dowa Temple . Nuwara Eliya ( 47km 2 hours drive ), Hakgala Gardens ,
Sita Eliya Temple , St Clair ’ s Falls , Devon Falls , Horton Plains , Golf in Nuwara Eliya , Uda Walawe National Park . Activities nearby Trekking . Special events Bandarawela Esala Perahera procession in June . Child policy The hotel has high chairs for children and children ’ s menus available . Two cots available . There are also some interconnecting rooms . Wheelchair access There are two rooms equipped for guests with special needs . Ground
floor rooms are wheelchair accessible . Category Tourist Class .
Facilities at the hotel
Restaurant , Bar , Lounge with library , Pool table , Badminton , Chess , Monopoly and Caram , Bicycles for hire , Internet / email , General safe at reception , Children ’ s playground and menus , Laundry service .
Accommodation
Number of rooms 33 . All with En suite bathroom with bath and shower and toiletries , Fan , IDD Telephone , TV with local channels only , Hairdryer , Room service . Standard . Deluxe . Suite . There is only one suite on the property , so early booking is essential .
106 FOR EXPERT ADVICE AND TO MAKE A RESERVATION CALL OUR TRAVEL CONSULTANTS ON 01392 441224