Goatfell
Nuwara Eliya

Set within the heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, Goatfell sits in a prime position. While staying here, you can embrace all that the country’s wonderful tea estates have to offer, as well as enjoy staggering views over the verdant surroundings from an elevation of 2,000 metres above sea level.

Refurbished from an estate manager’s bungalow into a boutique hotel, this homely property simultaneously retains an intimate feel and pays homage to the area’s history. If you are after a small guesthouse then this is the place for you as there are only 4 bedrooms here – 3 spacious Concordia Double Bedrooms (Kandapola, Ragala, and Summerhill) and 1 charming Concordia Twin Bedroom. Each room gets its name from the local tea estate, Concordia, and comes complete with comfortable, colonial-style furniture, en-suites and private verandas with garden views. On a clear day, jaw-dropping panoramic views across neatly manicured tea bushes can be seen from the outdoor terraces and sprawling lawn. Our favourite spot to enjoy these phenomenal views is the infinity pool, especially as you can also be spoiled by butler service here, too - bliss!

This cosy property is suited to couples and solo-travellers, as well as families, as The Concordia Twin Bedroom has twin beds and may be interconnected with a Concordia Double Bedroom to form a Family Suite. As the nights tend to be a little cool up here in the hills, each room at Goatfell is equipped with heaters, rugs, and hot water bottles and there are also traditional log-burning fireplaces, so you are bound to have a warm, restful stay.

The hotel’s restaurant provides a great dining experience, focusing on gourmet food and placing a concerted effort on locally-sourced ingredients.

Located in Kandapola, this hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Nuwara Eliya and relatively close to Nanu Oya train station (20km away). We highly recommend exploring the bungalow’s own working tea estate as well as visiting Finlay’s Tea Factory nearby for authentic glimpses into local life here. For activities further afield, hike to Horton Plains, peer down the dramatic ‘World’s End’ and stroll through the reserve’s high-altitude cloud forest. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, we advise climbing Tothupola Kanda - Sri Lanka’s third-highest mountain - to be greeted by views over the rugged surroundings, which stretch out as far as Adam’s Peak in clear conditions.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller