Nine Skies
Ella

Nine Skies is ideally located in Sri Lanka’s emerald tea-clad hills with spectacular views over the iconic nine arches of the historic Demodara Railway bridge, from which it gets its name. With just 15 minutes away from Ella, this the family home of the tea estate manager turned boutique hotel makes for a luxurious stay by successfully keeps a cosy feel while also introducing more indulgent features into the traditional bungalow. Huge draws of this hotel are the personalised butler service and the beautiful infinity-edged swimming pool. The gourmet food served here is also rather spoiling, for the international cuisine is of great quality and can be enjoyed in a picturesque setting, inside or out on the veranda in the fresh air of the Hill Country.

Choose between 5 well-appointed bedrooms; from the simple yet tasteful Nine Arches room, the more colourful Demodara rooms – Welimada, Badulla, Hali-Ela – to the spacious, light-filled Ella Rock Suite. Each room features beautiful colonial interior design, fresh contemporary touches and white cotton-adorned four poster beds, not to mention handsome private terraces overlooking the scenic garden and the verdant hills beyond. The sweeping valley views even include the famous Demodara Loop, which really is a sight to behold as the train chugs along. 

While staying at Nine Skies, we recommend strolling to local tea estates and hiking to cascading waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints, as well as to the hotel’s namesake, the famous Nine Arched Bridge viaduct at Demodara Railway Station (which can be reached in just 10 minutes). Or, better still, travel by train to the station and experience its renowned 360-degree loop for yourself! Here, days can easily whizz by when sunbathing with a good book and drink in hand, surrounded by nothing but pure nature and rolling mountains - plus, being able to take a cooling dip as and when you please in the heat of the Sri Lankan sun is a treat that we are sure you will appreciate.

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