Skip to content
The Tea Bungalow Galaha · 1890
WhatsApp
WhatsApp

A menu of slow things අත්දැකීම්

TheExperiences.

Tea at six. The fire at six-thirty. Walks, long dinners and a private pool in between. Most of it simply happens; the rest, we arrange.

Most of what happens here happens without being asked for: tea poured at six, the fire lit at six-thirty, the pool, the Long Table. The rest, you arrange, and all of it moves at the pace of the estate.

  • Waiting for you

    Complimentary, part of every stay. Nothing to book.

  • Arranged for you

    On request. Add it to your enquiry, or ask on arrival; most need a day’s notice.

The signature · every evening

The fire is lit at six-thirty.

In the Planter’s Lounge, at six-thirty every evening, the original 1890 stone hearth is lit. Leather armchairs worn soft by a century of use, a pot of estate tea or a glass of Ceylon arrack, the mist settling outside.

There is nothing to book and no timed session. The fire is simply there, every evening, for as long as you want to sit by it.

When
From 6:30 PM, every evening
Where
The Planter’s Lounge, by the 1890 hearth
Cost
Complimentary for every guest

Arranged for you

Small touches, on request.

Flowers in your chamber, a cake for a quiet celebration, a picnic on the lawn, a particular tea to take home. Tell us what you have in mind; most things we can arrange with a few hours’ notice.

  • Flowers in your chamber

    Fresh estate flowers arranged in your room: jasmine, temple flowers, whatever the season brings.

    On arrival

  • Celebration cake

    Freshly baked for a birthday, an anniversary or a quiet milestone. Tell us what to write.

    24 hours’ notice

  • Private garden picnic

    A picnic basket laid out in the garden or by the pool: linens, china and local food.

    Same day · per couple

  • Wine or arrack

    Bottles waiting in your chamber or at dinner, with a recommendation if you’d like one.

    Anytime · per bottle

  • Estate tea to take home

    The teas you enjoyed during your stay, packed for the journey home.

    On departure · per box

  • Private photography

    A local photographer for an anniversary, a milestone visit or family portraits on the estate.

    48 hours’ notice · per session

  • A day in Kandy

    A private driver to the Temple of the Tooth, the lakefront and the city markets, and back for dinner.

    Same day · per vehicle

  • Live music

    A local musician for your evening: acoustic, traditional Sri Lankan drumming, or something of your choosing.

    72 hours’ notice · per set

All small touches are priced on request and added to your final bill.

Beyond the gate

Temples and gardens, an easy day away.

Kandy is about 45 minutes from the bungalow. Our driver can take you to any of these, or several in one day, and have you back for the fire at six-thirty.

  • Kandy · UNESCO World Heritage

    Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

    Sri Lanka’s most revered temple, beside Kandy Lake: painted halls, drummers at the daily offerings, and the city’s great procession each summer.

  • Peradeniya · beside the Mahaweli

    Royal Botanic Gardens

    Lawns and flower beds in a bend of the Mahaweli, famous for the orchid house, the avenue of royal palms and a great spreading fig.

  • Near Kandy · 14th century

    Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Viharaya

    A stone temple of the Gampola era on its own rock, with a carved dragon arch over a seated Buddha.

  • Near Kandy · 14th century

    Lankatilaka Raja Maha Viharaya

    Also of the Gampola era, standing high on Panhalgala rock under tiered tiled roofs, with the hills all round.

  • Kandy · on the Mahaweli

    Gatambe Bodhiya

    A Bo tree shrine on the bank of the Mahaweli at the edge of Kandy, where pilgrims come to light lamps and make their vows.

Gadaladeniya and Lankatilaka are a short drive apart and easy to see together. Day trips are arranged with a private driver and added to your final bill.

Films: Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau

Plan your stay

Arrange your
experiences.

  1. 01

    Tell us your dates

    Mention the experiences you’d like when you enquire, or arrange them on arrival. Most need only a day’s notice.

  2. 02

    We confirm the details

    Timing, dietary needs, special requests: we reply within 24 hours with everything arranged around your stay.

  3. 03

    Settle on departure

    Experiences are added to your final bill, with nothing to pay upfront. What’s complimentary stays complimentary.

Next chapter Packages & Offers Trail stays and heritage escapes, gathered into one booking.