By Basant El-Faramawy
Uga Halloowella, a restored colonial-era bungalow perched 1,444 metres above sea level in Sri Lanka's Hill Country, opened in January 2025 as a five-star, all-inclusive hotel. The property sits within the Norwood tea plantation near Hatton, offering sweeping views of the Castlereagh Reservoir and surrounding tea-covered valleys. Access requires a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Colombo or a 30-minute seaplane flight with Cinnamon Air.
Historical Background
The estate was once the private residence of Major Elton Lane, a tea planter and First World War fighter pilot for the British Royal Air Force. The restoration preserves early 20th-century charm, including hand-painted tropical wallpaper in the dining room, a mahogany-panelled lounge with vintage floral sofas, and two large fireplaces.
Accommodation and Service
The hotel comprises six rooms and suites decorated in pastel shades with floral soft furnishings, dark wood floors, cream-painted pitched ceilings, chandeliers, and ceiling fans. All categories include butler service, king-size beds, marble bathrooms, and modern amenities. Larger suites feature ornate clawfoot baths and wood-burning stoves. Staff provide warm, attentive service without formality, and the all-inclusive package covers laundry up to six pieces per suite daily.
Dining Experience
The restaurant blends Sri Lankan and Western cuisine. Sri Lankan curry is served at every meal alongside fusion dishes such as poached eggs with English muffin, seeni sambol, spinach, curried crab cake, and turmeric hollandaise. Breakfast includes egg hoppers and smoothie bowls. Evening options range from à la carte Western dishes to a "Sri Lankan Discovery" menu featuring Negombo pork curry with milk rice or hoppers with East Coast sour fish curry. High tea, served in a bamboo bento box with savoury parcels, miniature hoppers, and sweets, is included, as are select wines, beer, and spirits.
Facilities and Activities
An infinity-edged pool overlooks the hills. While there is no spa, massages and treatments can be arranged in a garden room with valley views. Each stay includes a tea factory tour and tasting. The resident naturalist offers presentations with trail-camera footage of wildlife such as palm civets, barking deer, leopards, and porcupines. Staff can organise plantation visits and hikes, including sections of the 300km Pekoe Trail. Bicycles are available, though the terrain is very hilly.
Practical Information
Rooms are on one level and spacious for wheelchair users but not specifically adapted. The pool is accessed via garden steps. Pets are not allowed. The hotel is best suited for couples or adults seeking a peaceful, food-focused retreat with history; families with young children may find limited entertainment beyond the pool and whirlpool. Check-in is from 3pm, check-out at 11am. The address is Halloowella Estate, Upcot Road, Norwood, Sri Lanka; phone +94 11 2328 832; website www.ugaresorts.com.
