Rosyth House, Nr Pinnawela, Kegalle

Initially built in 1926, but completely refurbished in 2010, Rosyth House is an excellent addition to the range of converted planter’s bungalows that are on offer in Sri Lanka’s beautiful hill country. Situated at 1,000 feet above sea level in a working tea and rubber estate, 10 minutes from the provincial market town of Kegalle and only two and half hours from the airport, it is far more accessible than almost all of the other bungalows in the tea-growing region.

The excellent quality of the refurbishment has meant that the bungalow has maintained its original design and style. The house currently has three bedrooms, two in the main house and one accessible from a separate entrance at the back, and is available by the room or by the entire property. The two double and one twin bedrooms are elegantly furnished with a combination of local and colonial styles, with the addition of modern luxury bathrooms. This traditional design is extended into the large living and dining rooms, the small library and the two verandahs, where there has been a deliberate avoidance of plush mod-cons. The house does not have air-conditioning, but at this altitude, the air is cooler, and the building is open and airy.

The estate provides excellent views of the plantations and surrounding hills while the comfortable house makes this a very relaxing and idyllic setting. For the more active guests, there are plenty of walking trails and mountain bike routes through the tea terraces, and rubber plantations and the hotel staff will be on hand to guide you on your way. The property is also within an hour of Kandy.

The food is generally locally sourced, and the chef aims to be as flexible as possible with the menu, although the speciality is the extensive range of local home-style cooking. The ethos of the property promotes communal dining - although whether you eat with other guests or not is up to you - and attempts are made to run it as much like a home as possible.