The Hill Club
Nuwara Eliya

Steeped in heritage and gently faded grandeur, The Hill Club in Nuwara Eliya is a quintessential colonial retreat nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands. Originally founded by British tea planters in 1876, this atmospheric hill station hotel remains one of the most characterful places to stay in Nuwara Eliya, less about five-star polish, more about stepping back in time.

Perched at 6,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by lush tea plantations and manicured English gardens, the hotel transports guests to a bygone era. Inside, little has changed since the 1940s, with open fireplaces, oil paintings, taxidermy trophies, polished wood panelling and a billiards room with a weighty antique table. In the colder months, the aroma of wood smoke mingles with the scent of Ceylon tea, offering an irresistibly nostalgic experience.

The guest rooms at The Hill Club are comfortable and charming in a country-house sort of way; creaking floorboards, classic furnishings and floral drapes. While traditional in style, the rooms are equipped with modern essentials and nightly turndown service includes the genteel touch of a hot water bottle tucked into your bed, a nod to the cool temperatures that bless this high-altitude town.

Dining at The Hill Club is an event in itself, there’s a quiet ritual to the service here, overseen by white-gloved waiters in full regalia. Whether you choose the formal Main Dining Room, with its polished silver and stiff linen, or the more relaxed Lilly Restaurant, meals are served with ceremony. Classic British fare and Sri Lankan dishes are both on offer, with an à la carte menu as well as a set dinner. In keeping with tradition, evening attire is required - jackets and ties for gentlemen (happily supplied by the hotel if needed) and smart attire for ladies, adding a layer of old-world formality to the experience.

Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as Little England, is famed for its cool climate, colonial architecture and spectacular mountain scenery. The Hill Club makes an ideal base for exploring nearby tea estates, Horton Plains National Park, or for teeing off at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, just a short stroll away.

For those seeking a heritage hotel in Nuwara Eliya with atmosphere, character and charm, The Hill Club offers a truly unique stay. Less a hotel and more a timeless escape into Sri Lanka’s colonial past.

The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.
Rudyard Kipling