Heritance Tea Factory

Introduction

The Heritance Tea Factory lies alone and unique, on the steep slopes of the tea plantations in Kandapola, in the sparsely-populated hills to the east of Nuwara Eliya. The Tea Factory was once exactly that, before it was painstakingly converted into a four-star resort. Pluck your own tea from the nearby Heathersett Estate and process it at the hotel's miniature tea factory. The reception was once the drier room, the sifting and packing rooms now house a highly-recommended restaurant and bar. As a show of nostalgia for the years of steam travel -- a narrow gauge railway ran here until 1940 -- the Tea Factory's fine-dining restaurant is a restored railway carriage, where you can enjoy a five-course meal without any risk of soot in your eye. But it is the setting that delights many -- the gentle howl of the night-time breezes is likely to lull the most troubled mind to sleep. Heritance Tea Factory follows a strict green philosophy.

Accommodation

Do not imagine that the Tea Factory is spartan - far from it. Its 47 bedrooms and suites are luxurious and housed in the Heathersett and Randenigala wings. Bedrooms are furnished with double beds and have wall-to-wall carpeting, heating, satellite TV, IDD telephone, wifi facility, mini-bar, electronic safe, and ensuite bathroom with bath and h/w showers. There is also in-room dining and a fine selection of in-room teas.

Premium Rooms (210 sq. ft): The 32 Premium Rooms are housed in the Heathersett Wing and are located on the first – third floors with views of the surrounding tea estate.

Superior Rooms (345 Sq. Ft): there are just three Superior Rooms located in the Randenigala Wing with windows on two sides allowing for spectacular views of the Randenigala valley and the Heathersett tea estate.

Exective Floor Deluxe Suites: Also housed in the Randenigala Wing, the 10 Executive floor (fourth floor) suites are luxurious and have views of the valley and tea estate. In addition to the standard facilities, these rooms have LCD TV with satellite channels, bathrobes and slippers, pillow menu, in-room dining, butler service, and express check-in and check-out service.

Semi-suite (1,203 sq. ft): situated on the Executive floor, this suite brings together an interconnecting master bedroom and a single room and has breathtaking views of the tea plantation.

Flower Dew Suite: This spacious suite has 180 degree views of the Heathersett Estate and the Randenigala Reservoir. The suite is named after one of the original proprietors of this estate who owned the property from 1879 – 1881. This luxurious suite has a separate living and dining room, and ensuite bathroom with a h/w shower and Jacuzzi.

Facilities

The Kenmara restaurant serves Sri Lankan and international cuisine buffet style. Eastern and Western fusion cuisine is served in the Railway Carriage fine dining restaurant. Other hotel facilities includes two bars, TV and games room with pool tables and snooker, mini-putting golf area (9 holes),mountain bikes, sauna, gym, business centre, conference facilities, library, doctor-on- call, and babysitting service. The tranquil Diviyan Spa offers relaxing massages, body scrubs, and beauty treatments. Heritance Tea Factory is also well organised to host weddings.

Why We Like It

The converted railway carraige is a unique atmosphere for an evening meal.

Sustainability

The Aitken Spence chain of hotels has been working on sustainability throughout their hotels over the past couple of years. All Aitken Spence hotels are keen on energy and water saving, educating their staff and inspiring their guests to go green while also being Travelife Gold certified.

Location

Heritence Tea Factory is lost amind the tea plantations in Kandapola, east of Nuwara Eliya. The hill country town is three hours from Kandy or can be approached via the southern highlands. Although the final couple of miles are along a badly-maintained road, when the journey ends, the efforts is rewarding. Around six hours from Colombo, or consider air taxi options. You can also head to the south coast via a daily sea plane service between Hatton and Koggala.