Taylors Hill

Taylors Hill Hotel sits on the edge of a lush green valley, surrounded by one of the country’s oldest tea plantations in Sri Lanka. With a nod to James Taylor, the Scotsman who introduced commercial tea production to the region. Taylors Hill provides the perfect home from which to experience ultimate luxury and the rich history of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon tea trade.

The main house is over 100 years old, and combines sumptuous comfort with upcountry design. The five bedrooms are styled in colourful tones and traditional furnishings. They offer luxurious en suite bathrooms, silky soft bedding, and exclusive products tailor-made in Sri Lanka just for Taylors Hill. On the upper floor, rooms afford expansive views over the gardens and countryside surrounding Nuwara Eliya.

The set menu dinners are a Western, Indian or Sri Lankan signature dishes of rice and curry. The lounge and the morning room are both great for a quiet pre-dinner drink.

The neighbouring UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the royal city of Kandy and the historic Ceylon Tea Museum, offering a look at the fascinating legacy of tea production. Loolecondera Estate and Tea Factory, the country’s first and oldest tea factory, is also nearby. There is The Temple of the Tooth and The Botanical Gardens, located in Perediniya, as well as an elephant orphanage. On site, guests can take advantage of the infinity pool, tennis court, badminton, and croquet, as well as multiple walking trails.

Taylors Hill Information

Location & Getting There

Taylors Hill is located four hours from Bandaranaike International Airport, north of Colombo. Seaplane transfers via CinnamonAir are also available from the airport to Polgolla Reservoir, and take 25 minutes. From there, it’s a one hour drive to Taylors Hill. A helicopter landing field is located a kilometre away; permits should be arranged well in advance. Most transport can be arranged by the hotel.

Accommodation

The five rooms at Taylors Hill draw their names from Sri Lanka’s tea-planting history. While each room is unique, they are all tastefully outfitted in jewel tones and traditional furnishings with luxurious bedding and cinnamon-scented toiletries, both tailor-made in Sri Lanka for the hotel. There are no phones or TVs in the rooms, instead guests are encouraged to connect with nature through the expansive views over the gardens and pristine countryside. All rooms include an ensuite bathroom with drench shower, and some offer a cozy fireplace.

Downstairs, two sitting rooms, a dining room, TV room, and dedicated snooker room offer endless options to socialize and relax. There’s even a playroom for the little ones.

Activities

Whether you want to stay in or head into the hills and explore, Taylors Hill is the ideal base. The three acres of hotel grounds offer a selection of genteel activities that recall the colonial history of the site. Indulge in a game of croquet on the lawn, or show off your badminton and tennis skills before heading for a dip in the pool. A number of paths, tracks, and walking trails begin on site. The more adventurous can borrow a bicycle and head further afield.

Beyond the estate grounds, the rich history of Ceylon tea is at your doorstep. Visit the Loolecondera Estate where James Taylor founded the Sri Lankan tea industry. Take a tour of the historic factory and sample the finest tea leaves still harvested on site. For an even deeper look into the trade, venture to the Ceylon Tea Museum in Kandy, and take some time to explore the town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, wander the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, and play with the elephants at the nearby elephant orphanage and wildlife sanctuary. There are also golf courses at both Nuwara Eliya and Victoria Reservoir. Whether with down time or something highly active, Taylors Hill is well placed to do a little or a lot.

Children

Children are welcome at Taylors Hill. Two of the five rooms can accommodate extra beds for families travelling together and the chef will happily adapt meals for young palates. Complimentary babysitting can be arranged with a day’s notice.