Sri Lanka has bundles to see, but trying to tick off every sight can be hectic, requiring long car journeys and lots of moving around. However, if you know what you're doing, you can still discover the epic hill country, the captivating culture and the beautiful beaches from just two well thought-out bases. Both hotels on this holiday are special enough that you can just relax and enjoy your surroundings, yet they also offer an abundance of experiences to those that crave them.
After landing in Colombo, your private chauffeur-guide will whisk you to Rosyth Tea Estate. This idyllic hill country getaway is the perfect place to revive you after a long flight, with gorgeous rooms and a complimentary foot massage on arrival. Your stay here can be spent unwinding (say, enjoying the lush surroundings, relaxing by the pool or visiting the Rock Spa) and discovering new things (like the working tea and rubber estates or visiting nearby historical sites).
OVERNIGHT FLIGHT // 5 NIGHTS AT ROSYTH TEA ESTATE
We’d recommend spending your leisure time at Rosyth exploring the beautiful natural surroundings, taking cooking classes, complimentary morning yoga classes or afternoon rambles in the misty hills. Evenings are especially tranquil here, a great time to grab a drink and play a board game on the veranda.
We have included our signature tour of Kandy which will reveal the history of the ancient capital and take in some of the more well-known sights, such as the iconic Temple of the Tooth and the Royal Botanical Gardens, too. Plus, for the last three days of your stay, you will have the services of an experienced chauffeur-guide (and vehicle!) at your disposal, which will allow you to explore further afield. Your guide will be happy to include anything that might be of personal interest to you; there is plenty of flexibility to ensure you have the best possible time.
With a handful of stylish bedrooms, a cosy library with books and games as well as a modest pool, we find that Rosyth strikes the perfect balance between a “home from home” and sophisticated hotel. It is intimate and personalised - the tailored dining experience is a particular plus - as well as being close to culture, but without any pressure to rush about sightseeing.
Next, swap the hills for the southwestern coast and five nights at the glorious Kumu Beach hotel. Here, it's heavenly to wake up to the sounds of the Indian Ocean lapping outside your room. Suppose you tire of paddling in the waves and swimming in the dreamy seafront pool? In that case, you might delve into the local arts and crafts scene (this area is particularly famed for its weird and wonderful spirit masks) or visit nearby Kosgoda, a turtle-nesting beach.
5 NIGHTS AT KUMU BEACH
Don’t be afraid to take it slow. The west-facing grounds make Kumu the ideal place to sit and watch a legendary Sri Lankan sunset with an ice-cold G&T in hand.
Visit Lunuganga, the former home of legendary architect Geoffrey Bawa, who spent forty years transforming this abandoned rubber and cinnamon estate into an idyllic garden paradise. After lunch at the house, you will then visit the nearby Brief Garden, Geoffrey Bawa's brother, Bevis Bawa's home and beautifully landscaped garden.
To our minds, this hotel hits the sweet spot. Tucked away in an elevated position, Kumu feels very private and has mind-blowing views of the beach. Though it’s not flashy, it comes from a well-established collection of hotels in Sri Lanka, so they know what they are doing. It’s small enough that the staff will get to know you but it has all the facilities you'll need. Finally, the food - a modern Sri Lankan fusion - is a real winner, too.
Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons that affect different parts of the island. For this holiday, you’ll want to avoid the southwestern monsoon that runs between May and December (when although the hill country will be thirst-quenched and thriving, rainy days at the beach might be less enjoyable). The best weather will be from December to April. Feel free to check out our guide for the best time to visit Sri Lanka depending on the regions you're visiting.
At Rosyth House, half board (breakfast & and dinner) is included free of charge, and we have arranged the 5th night on a complimentary basis, plus a 30-minute spa treatment during your stay. At Kumu Beach, the 5th night is complimentary, as is dinner each night and a local cooking demonstration.
Revitalise is a culmination of 16 years’ work, research and client feedback. Our travel team take annual trips to each of our destinations, testing the experiences and inspecting the hotels (someone’s got to do it, right?). We are passionate travellers in our own lives, and we have all visited Asia with our friends, family or backpacks. Basically, we’ve done the legwork: we know travel. And that’s why these trips are nothing short of magical.
We understand that while you may be itching to travel again, committing to a trip right now feels daunting. That’s why we have introduced our COVID-19 promise. We promise that if you book a holiday with us, but for any reason cannot travel due to COVID-19, we will refund you the bulk of your money, up to the day of your departure. We hope that this will give our travellers a little peace of mind and help you enjoy the magic of travel anticipation once again.
An ETG experience cannot begin unless our travellers feel secure in every respect. Financially secure: we are fully ABTA and ATOL bonded. Fully supported: our friendly team is on hand to help 24/7 before, during and after your trip. Free from hassle: we will ensure your trip runs like clockwork. Plus, all our experiences are tried and tested by our discerning team, so you can rest assured every excursion you book with us is both worthwhile and ethically sound.
With ETG, the experience starts the moment you pick up the phone. We are committed to seamless service at every stage of your journey. Before you depart, your dedicated travel consultant will provide all the information and insider tips you need to get you prepared (and excited!). Your in-country experiences will be distinctive, tailored to you, and always reveal the fabric of the destination. And you will come home with memories to share - not just photos to show.