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Where else in the world can you stay in a converted tea factory, pluck your own tea and take it home with you as a souvenir? At 2km above sea level, the views over our lush green organic plantations as the sun mingles with the mist is an unforgettable revelation of the beauty that is Nuwara Eliya. 
Hotels such as ours bring this unique experience to life. Enjoy the captivating setting as you tuck into high tea on the terrace or a delicious tea-themed menu in the restaurant. For an extraordinary Sri Lanka 4 star hotel experience make your way to Heritance Tea Factory, where the kettle is always on. In the mountain range that gave the world pure Ceylon tea, Heritance Tea Factory was built in the days of the British Raj. It has been converted while preserving much of the original style and machinery.   From the moment you arrive, to be greeted by a cup of hot spiced tea, you realise that this is a hotel like no other. The atrium is latticed with steel, colour coded green to show the original metalwork and red to show which supports were added during the conversion in 1996. Above your head, two giant brass-capped wooden fans remind you that the bedrooms used to be the withering lofts, where the tea leaves were laid out to let the moisture evaporate.   The tea-packing room is now the hotel’s popular Hethersett bar. Where tea was sifted and graded is the hotel’s fine Kenmare restaurant. The former engine room is now the modern kitchen. But this is not a historical museum. Heritance Tea Factory provides all the modern comforts and facilities to ensure you have a relaxing stay. In addition to finding out about the local wildlife and community on our nature treks, you have the chance to pick your own tea and have it processed in our Mini Tea Factory, so you can take a little piece of Sri Lanka home with you.   In recognition for being one of the leading Nuwara Eliya hotels in Sri Lanka, Heritance Tea Factory has won 26 awards for its architecture, heritage and environmental policies. Most recently, in June 2011, we won the Gold Award for Architectural Heritage in the prestigious Green Apple Awards.

Room

Boasting some of the best Nuwara Eliya accommodation, Heritance Tea Factory has 54 comfortable rooms on four floors, converted from the former withering lofts (this is where the freshly plucked leaves were laid out on jute mats for some of the moisture to evaporate). The full-length windows that once helped to control the temperature for drying the leaves now ensure that the rooms are flooded with natural light, while providing spectacular views of the surrounding tea plantations. Wood is a key element of the rooms, with doors, shelves and cupboards (plenty of them) left in their natural colours. The free bottles of Hethersett Water come from the hotel’s own spring, pure and natural, and of course each room is supplied with our own tea leaves, as well as coffee and a fully stocked minibar. Furnishings are all made locally, from the prints showing local villagers bartering goods to custom-made toiletries. The fourth floor (executive floor) is entirely non-smoking. All rooms are accessible to wheelchairs, and we offer driver quarters if you have your own driver. Free cots are available for babies; we can also provide an extra bed for a child on request.

Superior Room

Enjoy splendid views of the Hethersett plantation or the Randenigala valley from the comfort of the armchairs in your room while sipping a cup of tea made from leaves grown in our own plantations.

Premium Room

Newlyweds that seek honeymoon hotels in Sri Lanka will find our lodging intimate and relaxing where you can get away from it all but still have access to pampering and fantastic amenities. Premium Rooms are larger and have a double aspect, providing even more spectacular views of the tea-covered hills and valleys. They also come with a DVD/CD player, and bathrobes and slippers. You can borrow DVDs from reception.

Executive Floor Deluxe

Renowned for being one of the best hotels in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, our rooms on the top executive floor offer unparalleled views over the hills and valleys. Your every need is catered for, with butler service from 6am to midnight and canapés and fresh strawberries and cream in your room.

Junior Suite

This interconnected master bedroom and separate single bedroom on the executive floor provide breathtaking views over the plantations around the hotel. Both rooms have 32-inch flatscreen LCD TVs, and each has its own bathroom.

Flowerdew Suite

Those seeking sanctuary at a Nuwara Eliya Hotel in Sri Lanka will find Heritance Tea Factory a refreshing change of pace. Named after the planter who founded the Hethersett estate in 1879, this is the highest elevated room in Sri Lanka, situated 2 km above sea level. It feels as if you are on top of the world, as windows on three sides of the bedroom provide a triple aspect of Ragala and Randeingala reservoir. A sofa bed can be converted to an extra bed for a family. You can dine in your own sitting room with butler service, or relax after a day’s sightseeing in front of the 48-inch flatscreen TV. And the bathroom has a Jacuzzi for an invigorating soak as well as a separate rainshower cubicle.

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Dining

Our buffets in the Kenmare Restaurant will give you the opportunity to try a wide range of Sri Lankan food, as well as international dishes. Or you can opt for our à la carte menus of international dishes or fine-dining Heritance cuisine and tea-themed menus. For something completely different, our TCK 6685 Restaurant gives you the chance to dine in a converted 1930s railway carriage, served by white-gloved attendants amid polished teak and brass – an unforgettable experience. If you’re after something lighter, the Hethersett Bar offers a range of snacks, as well as local and international beers, wine and spirits. And of course, at Heritance Tea Factory, it’s always time for tea. The Goatfell Bar is just the place to put your feet up with a refreshing cuppa or treat yourself to a wonderful high tea.

Kenmare Restaurant

Our main restaurant is the former sifting room of the old tea factory. Most of the original girders and ironwork remain intact, while the service stations are decorated with some of the factory’s packing cases. A table by the window is highly sought after so that you can admire the view over the surrounding tea plantations while eating. At night, candles on the tables and live piano or guitar music add to the atmosphere. We also offer special vegetarian, Jain and children’s menus – please ask the reception or restaurant manager for details

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Railway Carriage Restaurant

From the moment the railway master blows his whistle to welcome you aboard, you know that you’re in for a unique dining experience. TCK 6685, a third-class carriage of the Udapussellawa narrow-gauge railway line that used to transport tea but closed down in 1950, has been converted to a fine-dining restaurant. Its former passengers would marvel at today’s menu, with its range of top-quality ingredients from around the world – smoked salmon from Norway, beef and lamb from Australia, duck from the US. And of course there’s an international wine list to match. The executive chef himself takes your order to discuss any particular preferences you may have. Then it’s time to sit back and enjoy the ride through six courses, or “stations”. With candlelight reflected in the gleaming teak and brass, it’s a delightfully nostalgic experience.

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Goatfell Bar

You could try a different tea every day for three weeks and still not get through all the varieties offered by our specialist tea bar! Along with our home-produced teas, we stock several kinds of flavoured tea, from melon and mango to raspberry and rose. You can also buy some souvenirs of the hotel to take home with you – as well as tea, of course!

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Hethersett Bar

This is the former packing room of the original tea factory, and is the perfect place for an aperitif before dinner or a relaxing cigar and digestif. It’s the only public area of the hotel where smoking is allowed. Our friendly barmen are always happy to whip up a cocktail – maybe a heady mix of old arrack, passionfruit cordial and fresh lime juice. We also run special themed weeks, such as different flavours of margarita, or Australian wines. And if you’re just looking for a light bite rather than a full meal, our menu of bar snacks will fit the bill.

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Recreation

As well as live music in the Kenmare Restaurant every night, we put on a variety of theme nights that include piano music, oriental bands, magic shows and cultural shows. Around the hotel we offer nature treks and the chance to pluck your own tea. Some activities may be cancelled in poor weather. Participation is at your own risk. Heritance Tea Factory is also well sited for excursions further afield, whether you’re interested in the scenic beauty of waterfalls, botanical gardens and landscape or cultural attractions such as the Sita Eliya Temple and Nuwara Eliya. If you do not have your own transport, we are happy to arrange a car and driver for you. Please ask at the reception for details.

Spa

At Misty Morning Spa our philosophy is simple : we want to make you feel better and more beautiful. Our three fundamentals are professional expertise, professional treatments and professional products. Our own line of blended pure massage oils and genuine herbal cosmetics are made in Sri Lanka from the finest natural ingredients. Managed by Diviyan Spa, our honest and professional therapists from Bali are trained in our spa centre in Indonesia. They will ensure that you have a relaxing, rejuvenating, enjoyable and memorable experience. Misty Morning Spa offers a complete range of services to pamper you:  choose from massage therapies, body treatments, facials and nail care. There is also a selection of packages combining several treatments. We have three treatment rooms, a small steam room and a Jacuzzi. The water comes straight from the hotel’s own mountain spring. We recommend that you book in advance and that you arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to fill in the consultation form. If you are having a massage you are also welcome to use the steam room and Jacuzzi before or after your treatment.

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Pluck Your Own Tea

For the ultimate holiday souvenir, how about taking home a packet of tea that you picked yourself? At Heritance Tea Factory we will deck you out in local attire – saree for the ladies, sarong for the gentlemen – and provide you with a basket in which to collect your leaves. Then we will take you out to our organic tea fields and show you which leaves to pluck. You’ll find that it takes a bit of practice to make sure the leaves end up in your basket rather than on the floor! Our professional tea pluckers will accompany you – you’ll be amazed at how efficiently and quickly they manage to fill their baskets by comparison. Luckily, we don’t expect you to produce the minimum 15kg a day that is their target! Then we return to the Heritance Mini Tea Factory, where our chief tea taster, Nadaraj, will inspect your efforts. He will reject any leaves that are unsuitable, so you must pay attention when picking, or all your efforts will be in vain! Nadaraj will take you on a tour of the Mini Tea Factory and explain the whole process, from the initial drying (withering) of the leaves, through rolling, fermenting and sifting, to produce the different types of tea. Finally, you can taste the different teas, from flowery pekoe to green tea and teabag dust, to appreciate for yourself the differences in colour, flavour and strength. The next day, a packet of your very own tea will be ready for you to take home. So every time you have a cuppa you will be reminded of your wonderful stay at Heritance Tea Factory.

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Nature Treks

Our bell captain, Meiyappan, leads nature treks three times a day. He’ll take you through the plantations, explaining how the bushes are picked once a week and pruned every five years. You’ll also see a 95-year-old mother bush, from which around 2,500 cuttings are taken every year. Meiyappan will entertain you with tales of the wild boar, buffalo and even occasional leopards that roam the area at night! Less alarmingly, he will point out some of the 50 varieties of birds that can be seen locally. Many, like the yellow-eared bulbul or the Sri Lanka white eye, are endemic to this area. You may also see porcupine burrows and beautiful butterflies. If the local temple is open, you can visit to see the colourful Hindu statues and receive a pottu mark on the centre of your forehead. Even if the temple is closed, you’ll be able to observe members of the 150 village families as they mark out vegetable beds with cut-glass precision or water their beetroot and leeks. When not at school, the children bowl hoops or scratch out a cricket pitch on a rare strip of flat ground. Finally, you’ll climb a ridge for wonderful panoramic views of the lush plantations and misty hills. Nature treks last about 2 hours and run three times daily, at 6.30 am, 10 am and 4 pm. Please wear sturdy shoes.

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Nuwara Eliya

Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, the town of Nuwara Eliya enjoys spring-like weather throughout the year. A favourite retreat of the British during colonial times, the town is dotted with English country style houses and half-timbered bungalows, with names like Sunhill Cottage or Windsor Hotel. No surprise it’s earned the name "Little England". The Holy Trinity Church might have stepped out of any village in England, with its Gothic architecture and eclectic collection of memorials, while the “pink post office” features a clock tower. The Grand Hotel, Hill Club and Golf Club also hark back to a previous era, where tea by a log fire, overlooking the lawns with topiary and roses, might be followed by a spot of billiards. The golf course is open to visitors. For a picturesque stroll, stop by the well-maintained Victoria Park or head for Gregory’s Lake, which is located just south of the town. You can also hire boats here. Alternatively, for a bit of local colour, Bale Bazaar is where the locals head to stock up on warm clothing. In April and May the town is crowded with Sri Lankans attending dressed in their finery for the Derby at the Turf Club; at other times of the year it’s much quieter, with apparently stray horses quietly wandering along the road.

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Horton Plains

This misty grassland plateau is a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits at an elevation of more than 2,000 m (6,500 ft) about 20 km from Nuwara Eliya. There is a strange and mysterious silence about the place, and it has some excellent walks. From this plateau rise Sri Lanka’s second- and third-highest mountains: Thotupola Kanda (2,357 m) and Kirigalpota (2,389 m). The grassland is interspersed with patches of forest and some unusual vegetation that grows only at high altitudes. The trees are encrusted with lichens, and giant ferns and rhododendrons also flourish. The dense forests are home to deer, jackal, the shaggy bear-monkey, sambhur (a large deer) and the occasional leopard. The plains are also popular with birdwatchers. The most amazing feature of Horton Plains is World’s End, where the southern part of the plains drops almost vertically for 700 m. The ideal time to view this site is at dawn, when the mountains are free of mist and the sun is just rising.

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Hakgala Botanical Garden

Hakgala Botanical Gardens were founded in 1860 by the eminent British botanist Dr GHK Thwaites, who was superintendent of the more famous gardens at Peradeniya, near Kandy. In 1860-1880 Hakgala was the site for experiments with cinchona, whose bark yielded quinine, widely used at that time as a remedy for malaria. This may have been the reason for the popularity of gin and tonic in these parts – quinine being the main ingredient of tonic water. The climate of the Hakgala area, whose mean temperature is around 16ºC, is perfect for temperate-zone plants, both ornamental and useful. These include conifers and cedars from Australia, Bermuda and Japan, and cypresses from the Himalayas, China and as far as Persia, Mexico and California. New Caledonia gave Hakgala a special variety of pine, and there are specimens of this genus from the Canary Islands as well. An English oak, introduced around 1890, commemorates the "hearts of oak" of Britain’s vaunted sea power. There is also an excellent specimen of the camphor tree, whose habitat is usually in regions above 12,000 m elevation. In the Rose Garden, you can experience the sights and scents of these glorious blooms in their infinite variety. From here it is a short stroll to the exotic sophistication of the Orchid House. A special attraction here is the variety of mountain orchids, many of them endemic to Sri Lanka. The fern’s delicate fronds conjure up visions of misty grottoes, lichen-covered stones and meandering streams. The secluded fernery at Hakgala lies in the shade of the Hakgala Rock, which is shaped like the jawbone of an elephant, from which it gets its name. Sri Lanka’s ferns are well represented here, as are those of Australia and New Zealand. The languid low-country lotus and water lily also float in serene loveliness, emerging from a background of floating leaves to evoke the calm of saffron-robed monks, white-clad devotees and flickering oil lamps.

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Sita Eliya Temple

According to legend, Sita Eliya Temple is believed to mark the spot where Sita, the heroine from the Indian epic Ramayana, was held captive by her abductor, King Ravana. Some people call this the only Sita temple in the world. The recently constructed complex, which is modelled on a modern south Indian temple, is set in idyllic countryside beside a clear stream. Next to it is another new temple dedicated to Hanuman, the monkey-god, who according to mythology was instrumental in rescuing Sita. "There is a rock on the opposite bank where Sita sat and meditated. Also, this ashoka forest is a clear indication that she came here when she was brought to Lanka," says GT Prabhakaran, who is in charge of the temple. Temple workers are keen to show visitors the spot where Sita bathed, the stone she sat on, and where she prayed.  There is also a belief that at a particular point in the stream the water has no taste. "This is the spot she cursed. You cannot drink the water. Drink it further downstream," advises one temple worker.

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Mountains and Waterfalls

Sripada (Adam’s Peak)Sripada (sacred footprint) or Samanalakande (butterfly mountain) has been the object of worship and pilgrimage for centuries for all major religions. The British referred to this mountain as Adam’s Peak. Watching the dawn from Sripada is a rare experience. On clear days you can see the shadow of the peak cast on the surrounding forest canopy as the sun rises. The ‘pilgrim season’ begins on the poya (full moon monthly Buddhist holiday) day in December, and runs until the start of the April monsoon. PIDURUTALAGALATo the north of Nuwara Eliya rises Pidurutalagala (in Sinhala this translates as straw plateau rock), the highest mountain in Sri Lanka, with a peak 2,524m above sea level. For a view of the summit and a superb panorama of the surrounding hills and plantations, you can walk to the top of the picturesquely named single Tree Mountain, south of town off the Badulla road, in about 90 minutes. MAHAKUDUGALA PEAKThe peak offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys. KURUNDU OYA FALLSThe picturesque Kurundu Oya falls are the third tallest in Sri Lanka, with a drop of 189m. ST CLAIR’S FALLSSt Clair’s is perhaps Sri Lanka’s best known waterfall. It is located about 26 km from Nuwara Eliya on the Kotmale Oya and is a treat for nature lovers.

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Children and Families

We are very happy to welcome families and children to Heritance Tea Factory. Because of our unique location and historical architecture, please ensure that your children are adequately supervised. We have a few interconnecting rooms, or we can provide an extra bed in your room for a extra charge. We also provide free cots for babies, and free highchairs in the Kenmare Restaurant. BABYSITTINGYou can book a babysitter at reception. Babysitting would be provided on availability and at charge CHILDREN’S MENUSPlease ask your waiter or restaurant manager for the separate children’s menu. PLAYGROUNDWe have a free children’s playground for under-12s with swings, roundabout, slide and other equipment next to the TCK 6685 restaurant. Please supervise your children when they are using the playground. PONY RIDESOur pony Joe (aka Sexy Eyes) is happy to take children under 12 for rides around the plantation, led by an experienced guide. Sign up in the lobby if you would like to book a ride.

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Sports and Games

GYMAs a hotel resident you have free access to our gym next to the spa in the basement. The gym contains two treadmills, two cycling machines, a step machine, a rowing machine and a selection of free weights. There are also showers and a changing room. CYCLINGThe cool breezes and breathtaking landscape around the hotel are perfect for exploring the area by bike. And most of the tracks around the hotel are virtually free of traffic, so you can concentrate on enjoying the views. Our excellent mountain bikes are well suited to the rugged terrain and are regularly checked and maintained for your safety and comfort. Please ask the reception if you are interested in hiring a bike. PUTTING GREENOur small putting green next to the Mini Tea Factory is free to hotel guests. Ask the reception if you would like to borrow the putting equipment. POOL TABLESOur pool table is in the Goatfell Bar. BOARD GAMESMonopoly, Scrabble, Carom, Chess, Darts are available from reception. Just ask if you are interested in borrowing these. GOLFThere is an 18-hole golf course at Nuwara Eliya, about 30 minutes’ drive. Visitors are very welcome to play. Please ask the reception for information.

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Pricing

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At Inspiration Holidays, we take pride in being able to negotiate the best holiday deals at Heritance Tea Factory. Our calendar search tool allows you to view holiday prices at Heritance Tea Factory for different days within each month so that you can find the cheapest price at Heritance Tea Factory for your requirements. Our calendar search displays Heritance Tea Factory holiday prices upto 11 months in advance. If you want to book Heritance Tea Factory further in advance, we can book Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka holidays at Heritance Tea Factory in 2025 and 2026. For all Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka 2025 holidays and Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka 2026 holidays you will have to call us for pricing.

At Inspiration Holidays, we take pride in being able to negotiate the best holiday deals at Heritance Tea Factory. Use the search form below to find holiday prices at Heritance Tea Factory. Our Heritance Tea Factory holiday search will provide prices up to 11 months in advance of departure. We can book Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka holidays at Heritance Tea Factory in 2025 and 2026. For all Heritance Tea Factory 2025 holidays and Heritance Tea Factory 2026 holidays you will have to call us for pricing.

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TripAdvisor Traveller reviews

b00kworm2020


Comfortable stay

We stayed here recently (room 111) because my friend wanted to lodge at a tea plantation while we were in Sri Lanka. The staff were very welcoming and we were offered tea upon arrival. We asked for...

Jupitaris


Heart of Tea Country

This is a hotel that is in harmony with its natural surroundings, one of the best locations anywhere for the scenery. Preserved flory setting works really well as a hotel. The food is fantastic, with...

MartinH641


Incredible setting and worth the journey

The converted tea factory makes an excellent if quirky hotel. We loved the industrial feel of the public areas, and it’s easy to immerse yourself into the tea experience. Rooms on the fourth floor...