Goatfell

Rooms

All the bedrooms are incredibly spacious and private, decorated in soothing natural tones and a stylish mix of hand-sourced antiques and chic contemporary pieces. Woven rugs are splayed across polished dark wood floors and big feature mirrors add to the spacious feel. Each room has its own beautiful ensuite bathroom replete with waffle robes, rain showers and bathtubs.

The three elegant double rooms – Ragala, Kandapola and Summerhill – feature kingsized four-poster beds with high-backed headboards, cosy armchairs and private terraces. We stayed in Kandapola and loved the pretty fireplace decorated with candles and potted plants, and the French windows opening directly onto the lawn and infinity swimming pool. The twin room, Park, where we stayed on our most recent visit, has its own little sitting area and walk-in dressing area, as well as a private sit-out, and can be connected with neighbouring double bedroom Summerhill to make a Family Suite.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Rates are all-inclusive (including alcoholic drinks) and you will be spoilt with fresh, home-cooked meals and all the tea you could possibly want as we were. Breakfast features tropical fruits, buffalo curd and homemade cake, followed by a mouth-watering choice of eggs, pancakes and other specials, including a traditional Tea Planter’s breakfast and bacon and egg fritters. Don’t miss the pumpkin granola parfait or the egg hopper royale with cured salmon, pickled shallots and caper hollandaise.

For lunch, there is a section of light meals – caesar salads, club sandwiches and grilled fish – or you can plump for heartier local vegetable curries. Dinner is an extravaganza beginning with inventive starters such as seafood chowder or prawn and lentil fritters, or duo of beetroot. For main we bypassed the grilled barramundi, tuna steak, or mushroom risotto opting for the rice and curry special featuring black pork and ceylonese chicken, cashew nut and green pea curry and served with a great selection of vegetarian curries and sambol. For pudding, we devoured the most delicious homemade coconut ice-cream.

And if you're still not full, there's afternoon tea on offer every day, as well as complimentary snacks, soft drinks and tipples – best-enjoyed fireside or on the sunny terrace.

Features include:

• All meals included

Activities

• Explore the surrounding forests and tea estates on a self-guided walk along marked trails, with the chance to meet the lovely locals – we were charmed by some friendly young'uns playing cricket. Staff can take you on longer guided walks too. Picnic lunches can be prepared for you to take along
  
• Visit the Concordia Tea Factory. A tour guide will show you around the factory, explaining how different types and varieties of tea are cultivated and processed
  
• Catch a train. It’s a wonderful way to take in the Hill Country scenery, and the route from Nanu Oya to Ella is particularly stunning
  
• Explore Nuwara Eliya. There’s a lake with swan-shaped pedalos, pony rides, a horseracing course and lots of pretty colonial buildings
  
• This is a place to truly switch off and unwind. Lounge by the pool book in hand, have a game of croquet on the lawn or play board games in the lounge
  
• Explore waterfalls. There are several in and around Nuwara Eliya and many of them can be hiked to

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Croquet
• Hiking
• Tea plantation tours
• Traditional cultures
• Walking
• Waterfalls

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome and there are some fun activities for them in the area, including swimming in the pool and exploring the grounds, as well as cycling and walking trails for the whole family. The lounge is stocked with board games and DVDs for rainy days.

One child up to the age of 12 can share its parents' room; extra beds can be provided for a fee. Complimentary baby cots are provided subject to availability for kids aged two and under. The restaurant has children’s menus and highchairs.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Summerhill can be connected with its neighbouring twin bedroom, Park, to make a Family Suite. There’s also space for one extra bed for under 15s in all the double rooms (but an all-inclusive supplement applies).

Distances:

• Airport: 5.5 hours' drive
• Hospital: 30-35 minutes' drive (Nuwara Eliya)
• Shops: 15-20 minutes' drive

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Goatfell is located in the small village of Kandapola, in Sri Lanka's Hill Country. It's 15km from the market town of Nuwara Eliya.

By Air
Colombo Bandaranaike is the closest international airport (174km), but it's a good five- to six-hour drive away. It's also possible to get a private seaplane transfer with Cinnamon Air to Gregory Lake, 35 mins' drive below the hotel.

From the Airport
You can catch a train from Colombo to Nanu Oya, which is approximately 45 minutes from the hotel. It's a wonderfully scenic journey.

If you want to hire a car and driver for your whole holiday, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator; they can collect you at Colombo airport when you land, drive you to the hotel, then drive you to your onward destination(s) after your stay, as well as taking you on all day trips etc.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.