{"id":2455,"date":"2020-11-22T23:41:33","date_gmt":"2020-11-22T15:41:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourhero.com\/en\/magazine\/?p=2455"},"modified":"2024-01-13T03:58:15","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T08:58:15","slug":"6-best-sri-lanka-tea-plantation-hotels-to-stay-overnight-at","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourhero.com\/en\/magazine\/destinations\/asia\/6-best-sri-lanka-tea-plantation-hotels-to-stay-overnight-at\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Incredible tea plantation hotels in Sri Lanka to fall in love with"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sri Lanka offers plenty to the avid traveler with its romantic landscapes, verdant mountains, golden beaches, remarkable national parks<\/a>, and, of course, lush tea gardens and tea plantations. As of 2020, Sri Lanka remains the fourth largest tea producer in the world, <\/strong>producing just under 350,000 tons of tea. In fact, around 17 percent of the world\u2019s tea crop is grown on the island nation. With so many thriving tea plantations scattered across the country, it is little wonder that Sri Lanka is excellent for tea factory tours, tea plantation visits, and even tea estate vacations. If you\u2019re looking for an unforgettable stay up in the hills, look no further. We\u2019ve curated a list of charming accommodation spots \u2014 from hotels to bungalows to eco-lodges \u2014 hidden amidst lush tea slopes. Read on to discover<\/strong> six of the best Sri Lanka tea plantation hotels that you can stay overnight at<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A brief history of tea production in Sri Lanka<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 1824, a tea plant from China was smuggled into Sri Lanka \u2014 or \u201cCeylon\u201d, as it was known \u2014 by the British <\/em>and planted in the Royal Botanic Gardens for display. Over time, several more tea plants from other regions such as Calcutta and Assam in India were brought to the island. It was discovered that the humidity, rainfall, and cooling temperatures of the country\u2019s central highlands provided the perfect climate to yield quality tea crops. Thus began Ceylon\u2019s foray into tea production, which very quickly surpassed the country\u2019s coffee production. By the late 1880s, nearly all of Ceylon\u2019s coffee plantations and coffee stores had been converted to tea plantations and tea factories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Sri Lanka remains one of the biggest exporters of tea. Even more impressive is its reputation for producing the cleanest teas in the world<\/strong> due to stringent pesticide restrictions. While Sri Lanka grows various types of tea, it is most famous for its Ceylon tea<\/strong>, prized for having a distinct aroma and delicious full-bodied flavor. Ceylon black tea is often the tea base of choice in breakfast tea blends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by Agnieszka Kowalczyk<\/a> via Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why stay at a tea plantation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Staying at a tea plantation offers a truly unique Sri Lankan experience. There is no better way to appreciate the country’s most precious crop. Staying at a tea plantation also gives you the chance to step right back into the 18th century, allowing you to choose from charming tea bungalows, converted tea factories, and even beautiful colonial-style homes to spend the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge Official Facebook<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Choosing your Sri Lanka tea plantation hotel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The biggest thing to look out for when choosing your tea plantation hotel is, of course, the inclusion of on-site visits to the tea plantation<\/strong>. A local tour of the tea plantation grants you a great opportunity to increase your understanding of Sri Lankan tea production \u2014 from the plantation process to the selection, picking, processing, and selling of the tea. If tea plantation visits are not stated in the hotel description, we suggest asking the accommodation for confirmation before booking.<\/strong> Many of the best Sri Lanka tea plantation hotels offer a selection of tea-related activities outside of plantation visits, such as tea tasting sessions, scenic high tea picnics, and even tea picking experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To inspire you, here\u2019s our list of excellent tea plantation hotels in Sri Lanka, each nestled within a tea plantation estate or located extremely close to one. Pick your favorite!<\/p>\n\n\n\n