Dunkeld Bungalow
Bogawantalawa Valley

Dunkeld Bungalow is one of five beautifully restored historic tea planter residences in Sri Lanka’s lush Ceylon Tea Region. Together, these bungalows form the celebrated Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka’s first Relais & Châteaux resort collection. Built in 1925, Dunkeld Bungalow was unveiled in 2015 by Tea Trails following a stunning refurbishment, becoming the latest addition to its prestigious collection of historic planter residences.

Perched high on the banks of the Castlereagh Reservoir, Dunkeld Bungalow enjoys spectacular views of the tea factory and the rolling hills of the Dunkeld tea estate, widely considered one of the most picturesque plantations in Sri Lanka. The infinity pool offers sweeping panoramas of the Great Western mountain range, while a steaming outdoor jacuzzi appears to float above the lake’s mirrored surface.

The bungalow itself captures the spirit of the colonial planter era with elegant parquet floors, open fireplaces and period architecture that invites reflection on a bygone time. It features five guest rooms, a drawing room and formal dining room, as well as summerhouses nestled within the gardens, and a lake-facing terrace where guests can enjoy high tea, a good book or a sundowner cocktail.

The ambience here is serene and refined, with understated opulence, homely comforts and a sense of timelessness that transcends its historic roots.

Four bedrooms are located in the main house, all individually styled, differing in size, view and décor, and named after the tea planters who once lived here. Depending on your room, views may include the lake, gardens or misty mountains beyond. Each comes with a bathtub and walk-in shower, and only the Allen Luxury Room is a twin.

The fifth room is the Taylor Owner’s Cottage, a private standalone villa tucked discreetly among the tea fields. With a heated jacuzzi and unobstructed lake views, it’s a romantic and secluded option perfect for couples or honeymooners.

Décor throughout all rooms is exquisite, four-poster beds, rich drapes, cosy armchairs and woven rugs laid over polished wood floors. Each room is enhanced by antique accents with vintage lamps, paintings and heritage touches, while large wood-panelled windows bathe the interiors in natural light and frame the scenic views.

Dunkeld’s outdoor infinity pool and jacuzzi provide the ultimate vantage point for taking in the valley, and for more active guests, there are lawn games, guided plantation walks, nature hikes and opportunities to visit the working tea factory. Birdwatching, cooking classes and the beloved afternoon cream tea round out the day’s leisurely activities. Dinner is a sumptuous four-course affair, spotlighting Sri Lankan flavours, garden-grown produce and wine pairings curated to complement the menu.

After a stay at Dunkeld, guests may wish to experience the other Tea Trails residences to explore the full breadth of the Ceylon Tea region. These include Summerville, Castlereagh, Norwood and Tientsin bungalows. Summerville, Castlereagh and Dunkeld all overlook Castlereagh Lake, while Norwood sits further south in the valley, and Tientsin is tucked into the next valley along. Each home features 5–6 rooms, along with its own chef, butler and house staff. Though service is consistently five-star, as one would expect of a Relais & Châteaux property, each bungalow has a distinct setting, design and character.

We highly recommend staying at one or more of the bungalows for a richly varied and immersive experience of the Ceylon Tea Trails.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson