Heritance Tea Factory — Attraction in Sri Lanka

Breath taking views along with old glory

I stayed here with my family during a trip to Nuwara Eliya. The booking process was very easy and it was done online.

Location It's located in Kandapola close to 2000m above sea level in cold climate and with beautiful views surrounded by mountains. You have to travel a few kilometres from the midst of Kadapola town in a narrow road paved with concrete. Any type of vehicle could negotiate it.

Hotel The hotel is pretty special and historic because it used to be the Hethersett tea factory built in the 1930s inside the Hethersett plantation which dates back to the 1970s. The original structure and some features are still there. The hotel grounds contain a working mini tea factory too.

Welcome We received a nice traditional welcome inspired by Hindu culture. We received a pottu on our foreheads at the end of a small ritual. Afterwards we received a sweet which composed of rock sugar, cardamom and cloves. When you eat it all together it creates a nice flavour in your mouth. Afterwards we received tea made in the plantation itself.

Accommodation We booked a Premium King room (No. 208) which had breathtaking views through large windows from 3 sides. It's situated iny the front side of the hotel where the entrance road is. We immediately fell in love with it just because of the view. The room had all the amenities required including an electric heater. Tea making facilities were there including BOP and BOPF teas produced locally. The bathroom was quite spacious and equipped with a bathtub. It had all the toiletries too.

Food We made our booking on full board basis so stayed for all three meals. We had our dinner and lunch from a set menu each consisting of five courses. The breakfast was a buffet. We tried many types of food during the three meals and they were great. The only thing we didn't like much was the soup offered during the dinner which was a chicken broth soup with chicken and veggies. It was underwhelming compared to other food items. During the dinner where we had food from a set menu, I needed some change in the dish offered in the mains and the staff handled it very professionally and made the change too which was a pretty nice thing. The desserts were great too. The service received during meals was excellent.

Service We received excellent service from the hotel staff. The staff was friendly and quite happy to attend to our requests.

The experience Since the hotel itself was a tea factory there are lots of aspects of it left to admire. The lobby has lots of plaques on the walls describing the history. The centerpiece is one of the old diesel engines that once powered the factory which is located on the level below. The engine is turned using an electric motor everyday from 7.15 pm to 7.45pm for the guests to experience a bit of factory ambience from the old days. Along with it two giant fans which were used to wither tea leaves are also operated. The lift is also a nice piece from the old days. The spacious garden offers several cozy spots to relax, including a large mountain-facing deck and a play area for kids. A mini golf course also there which we tried. Some vintage equipment is also on display, including an old diesel engine. The hotel has a few excursions, including tea experiences like plucking and tasting. They also offer a complimentary tea factory tour—we only did that. The tour’s pretty simple, so it’s perfect if you’re just looking for a quick intro to how tea’s made. We also tried the billiard table in the game room which has an hourly rate for the usage but it was a nice thing. They have a nice high tea on the deck in the garden but we were unable to try it because we were too full by then. Will probably try next time. Above all we loved the beautiful sunset and sunrise which were visible to our room. The sunrise was especially a great view to enjoy while having a cuppa.

Overall, we loved the stay at the hotel. It's an excellent place for families or groups of friends to have a relaxing time with little adventures and a nice...

We have so many positive things to say about our stay at the Tea Factory.

To start with, we were amazed by the quality of service delivered by the staff here. It is perhaps the best we have received in Sri Lanka – a huge credit to the management here. To surpass the general level offered throughout the Heritance group, which we have always found to be amazing, is a great achievement. Mohan, a member of the reception team, has to be one of the most skilled hospitality professionals I have ever met. Throughout our stay, he asked thoughtful questions about what we wanted from our stay, and consistently made well-considered and personalised suggestions that were incredibly useful to us. And it wouldn’t be right not to mention the door staff, only two of whom we managed to catch the names of: Sivakumar and Jana. I can’t recall who it was specifically, but we were also amazed by the incredible photography skills of one of this team – thank you!

Our party of 5 stayed across two rooms for two nights, and while both rooms were great, the highlight room for us was the one with a panoramic view in the corner of the hotel facing east. The sunrise view from our bed was truly awe-inspiring and certainly worth getting up at 6 am for. If you get a choice, I would request this room especially. A special thanks to our roomboy, Gobinath, for his work!

The food throughout our early week stay was incredibly impressive. Due to our arrival early in the week, the dinners and breakfasts were set menus with a good variety of options for everyone. The servings at both dinner and breakfast were plentiful. The staff were incredibly generous and always offered more if it seemed like we were short. We were particularly grateful to the wait staff and kitchen staff: Vijay, Ganesh, Harsha, Kasawen, Imantha, and Pradeep.

My only constructive criticism of the food is that the excellent culinary standards demonstrated in some of the dinner pre-main courses weren’t quite met by the mains themselves. For instance, we felt that the traditional Sri Lankan main might benefit from a reprioritisation: instead of offering a huge variety of side dishes, achieve even richer flavours across fewer, more considered options. This isn’t to say the food overall wasn’t already to a high standard – it was! However, given the clear skill of the team, there may be potential for even further refinement.

We took the tea-picking experience with Jayanthi & Yogis, who were both absolutely brilliant guides. We loved their personal and warm walk-through of the process of creating tea, and they were also very skilled photographers!

The location of the hotel is, in our opinion, the only huge drawback. While you are at the hotel, the vistas are beautiful, and it is tranquil. But we couldn’t help but feel that we were slightly too far from some of the major attractions of Nuwera Eliya (Horton Plains, World’s End, Ambewela, the various waterfalls, etc), and that the aforementioned benefits only just made up for it. We think that if you are visiting Nuwera Eliya for the first time, you might benefit from a slightly more central hotel, and recommend the Tea Factory for subsequent stays, where you might be happier staying on location for the duration of your stay. Plus, the road to get to the hotel is ever so slightly perilous and a bit of a pain to do frequently: the road isn’t in the best of condition, and those not in an SUV might have a harder...

Heritance Tea Factory – A Timeless Escape into Sri Lanka’s Tea Country

Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s lush tea plantations, Heritance Tea Factory offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience where history, nature, and luxury blend seamlessly. From the moment you set foot inside, you are transported back in time to an era when this iconic building functioned as a bustling tea factory.

Arrival & First Impressions

The journey to the hotel itself is an adventure, winding through scenic hills, misty valleys, and seemingly endless rows of tea bushes. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the exceptionally hospitable staff, who made check-in effortless and refreshing with a cup of signature Ceylon tea. The ambiance was peaceful, with the distant hum of nature creating the perfect retreat from the busy world.

Rooms & Accommodation

The rooms at Heritance Tea Factory perfectly preserve the historic charm of the original factory, with wooden interiors, vintage-style furniture, and large windows offering breathtaking views of the tea estates. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and waking up to the cool mountain breeze and a stunning sunrise over the hills was an unforgettable experience. The attention to detail in the décor and cleanliness was impeccable, making our stay both cozy and luxurious.

Dining – A Culinary Delight

Dining at Kenmare Restaurant was nothing short of spectacular. The variety of dishes, from authentic Sri Lankan flavors to international delicacies, was outstanding. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients were used to craft each meal, and the service was impeccable. A standout experience was the Railway Carriage Fine Dining, where we dined inside a beautifully restored train carriage—an unforgettable, romantic experience!

Experiences & Activities

Heritance Tea Factory is not just a hotel; it’s an experience. Some of the highlights of our stay included:

Tea Plucking Experience – We got to dress in traditional attire, pick tea leaves alongside local workers, and even learn about the entire tea-making process at the mini-factory inside the hotel.

Nature Walks & Breathtaking Views – The walking trails around the hotel offer stunning views of Nuwara Eliya’s misty landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers and photographers.

The Spa – A rejuvenating tea-infused spa treatment was the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring.

Service & Hospitality

The staff went above and beyond to make our stay exceptional. From the warm greetings to their genuine care and attention to detail, it’s clear that customer satisfaction is their priority.

Overall Verdict

If you’re looking for a luxurious, immersive, and unique experience in Sri Lanka’s hill country, Heritance Tea Factory is the perfect choice. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, this hotel offers an unparalleled experience that lingers in your heart long after you leave.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommended! Will definitely...