Camellia Hills

Our stay at Camellia Hills was an absolute delight from start to finish. Nestled among lush greenery with sweeping views of the misty mountains, the property offers a peaceful and luxurious retreat. The rooms were elegant and cozy, the meals were outstanding, and the staff went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Whether it was sharing laughter over meals, enjoying a quiet moment with a glass of wine, or simply soaking in the view, every moment felt special. A perfect place to relax, reconnect, and unwind — we’re already looking forward to our next visit.

Camellia Hills may have just become my favourite hotel I think I’ve ever stayed in. The location, after a bumpy and windy drive in, is absolutely breathtaking. The property itself is of a high, high standard. The staff are fantastic and accommodating. The food, amazing. It reminded me somewhat of Queenstown in NZ for its views, all be in on a smaller scale and with a Sri Lankan twist. My only frustration is that we were only there for two nights and I would have liked to stay longer and partake in more of the many possible activities on offer. Hopefully though, we will be back…

Excellent stay. Service was top notch as we have now come to expect with Teardrop, room was large and well appointed. View was stunning over the reservoir and the food was tasty and plentiful (sometimes too much!). The naturalist being on site was an added bonus and we enjoyed the night walk through the property. Would definitely return.

Stunning property with breath taking views. This place was run like a well oiled machine. They seemed to have a solid process in place which helped the staff confidently perform each of their duties. There is a notable difference between the staff of Teardrop Vs other hotel chains. Although most Sri lankan hotel staff are very friendly and accommodating they lack professionalism and confidence which Teardrop seems to have nailed. The food was fabulous (Kudos to the chef) the watalappam was the best I’ve had. We stayed in the Dikoya suite on the lower level and the space was lovely with beautiful views. Loved the hiking trails and the app which was very helpful. Azad and Manoj were the key individuals mostly in touch with us and they were nothing short of amazing. Infact all of the staff, from the security guard were great. My only call out is to extended the cocktail menu as it was limited although what we ordered was made very well.

We recently spent 4 nights at Camellia Hills in Dunkeld, Sri Lanka, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Although the journey to get there isn’t the easiest, once you arrive… wow! The location is absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views overlooking the tea plantations and the reservoir. We enjoyed some lovely local walks into the nearby village and through the tea fields, which made us feel even more connected to the area. Just a little word of advice—be careful of leeches if you go walking! I got caught on one of the trails, but it didn’t take away from the experience. The food at Camellia Hills was outstanding. They were so flexible with both the menu choices and meal timings, which made our stay feel very personal and relaxed. Every meal was delicious and beautifully prepared. The room was beautiful, and I highly recommend asking for the Werleigh Room—it offers absolutely stunning views. Waking up to that scenery each morning was amazing although the bed was a little firm for my personal preference and the air con blew directly onto the sleeping position !! Another small personal note: there was no whisky on offer, which I did miss in the evenings—but again, just a minor point. One experience I would highly recommend is visiting the nearby tea factory. It’s a must! Just make sure you go when the factory is in production so you can get the full experience. What really made the stay exceptional, though, was the staff. I can’t praise them enough. Their attention to detail, warmth, and genuine care were among the best I’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. They went out of their way to ensure we were comfortable and happy throughout our stay.

After spending a few days at Goatfell near Nuwara Eliya, we came down to Camellia Hills, another Teardrop hotel, for five days. This small boutique hotel is set in a stunning location amongst tea plantations overlooking Castlereagh lake. The service and quality of the food are exemplary, and we particularly enjoyed the Sri Lankan dishes at both breakfast and dinner. A very congenial atmosphere is created by Azhar and his staff, with nothing being too much trouble. As the climate is quite temperate, it is very comfortable for walking amongst the spectacular scenery, aided by apps such as AllTrails or Wikiloc. We met many friendly local people on these walks, with some going out of their way to ensure that we took the right paths. On our return, we were always presented with refreshing towels and the offer of tea and cake. Thanks again to all the staff for their warmth and impeccable service.