4. The Kandy House, Kandy, Sri Lanka
The city forming the southernmost point of the Cultural Triangle, Kandy is a vibrant city set in the hills and surrounded by a river on three sides. It was the last bastion of Buddhist political power against colonial invasion, to which it succumbed when the British came in 1815. Its Temple of the Tooth holds the sacred tooth relic of Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka in the third century A.D. and encased in seven golden caskets. This was the most crowded temple I experienced -- a massive scene on a Saturday -- and there were lines to glimpse the sacred relic.
The hotels in Kandy tend to be small boutique properties, like an 1804 manor called The Kandy House. Furnished with antiques and four-posters swathed with netting, The Kandy House doesn't have a spa, but can arrange for an Ayurvedic therapist with 25 years experience to give you a treatment in your room. Private classes for yoga may also be organized.
5. Clingendael near Kandy, Sri Lanka
About 45 minutes outside of Kandy, Clingendael is a modern boutique property that just feels like it's been there for 150 years. Perched on a hill with sweeping vistas, it has five individually designed suites decorated with artwork, antiques and furniture. The atmosphere is colonial, with spacious and cool verandahs and lounge rooms.
The most interesting feature for spa lovers is the indoor/outdoor individual spa suite overlooking the garden. It is absolutely delightful! Finally, Kandy is a town to do some serious shopping, especially if you love jewelry, antiques, silk fabrics and pashminas.
Next, catch a train for one of the world's most scenic rides, to the coolr hills where world-famous Ceylonese tea is still grown, harvested and processed according to time-honored traditions. You'll also find the country's absolute stand-out luxury property, Tea Trails, which can open the doors to a tea factory tour.
suggested read: Have A Destination Wedding In Sri Lanka
6. Tea Trails in the Highlands, Sri Lanka
Dilmah Tea, which owns some of Sri Lanka's finest tea estates, received many requests from people who desired to visit the lush green highlands. It began to arrange special stays in its estate managers' gracious homes, built between 1890 and 1939. Guests so enjoyed the tours of the factories and plantations, the historic homes, and traditions such as port or sherry by the evening fire that Dilma opened a completely unique property.
Today Tea Trails is a series of five "bungalows," each with four to six suites or rooms and its own distinct personality. Separated by two to six miles, the bungalows are connected by scenic walking trails through the waist-high tea bushes, tended to by the brightly garbed tea pickers.
It truly feels like you're staying in a home -- even your home -- due to the setting and incredibly gracious service from highly trained butlers. The meals (included in the rate) are the very best in the country, whether the food is Western or traditional Sri Lankan.
Activities at this 4,000 foot elevation include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, white water rafting, tennis, wildlife outings and an in-depth tour of the tea factory available only to Tea Trail guests. Because the houses are small there is no central spa, but you can have a massage therapist come to your room
7. Cape Weligama Near Galle, Sri Lanka
Providing the perfect contrast to the quiet hill country, Cape Weligama is perched on a cliff-top site near Galle on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, with an amazing view of the sea.
Cape Weligama features 39 generously sized rooms -- mostly "private residences" that share a swimming pool with one neighbor. (Some even have a private swimming pool on the second floor balcony!)
Sanctuary Spa has four treatment rooms and tea-based treatments from the THÉMAÉ Paris. (Or you can get treatments in your luxurious oversized bathrooms.)The treatments uses a custom 4 Teas Elixir which blends antioxidant green tea, regenerating white tea, soothing red tea and stimulating black tea with pure spring water.
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