Nine Skies

Nine Skies

Where mist rolls over tea-clad hills and time slows to the hush of hill country — Nine Skies is a quietly luxurious colonial bungalow with old-world charm, panoramic views, and a butler who knows just how you take your tea

Perched high above the emerald hills of Demodera, Nine Skies is a beautifully restored 1920s tea estate manager’s bungalow near Ella, offering an elegant and unhurried window into Sri Lanka’s hill country. Surrounded by working tea estates and gazing out across the legendary Demodera railway loop, this intimate five-bedroom retreat offers a level of calm and comfort that’s increasingly rare.

From the moment you arrive, everything slows — but nothing is overlooked. Each guest is quietly looked after by their own butler, on hand to bring a pot of freshly brewed tea to your terrace or help plan the day’s gentle adventures. The setting is serene, the pace easy, and the feeling is more private home than hotel. There’s no formality here — just soft-spoken luxury, exceptional food, and a rhythm of hospitality that speaks to a more gracious era.

Inside, the five bedrooms are individually styled and full of character — think four-poster beds, vintage details, soaking tubs and French windows opening to sweeping views of garden and hillside. The Ella Rock Suite is the most spacious, with a separate sitting room and private veranda, while the Demodera Bedrooms offer indulgent comfort and space for an extra child. The Nine Skies Bedroom, a twin, can also interconnect — ideal for families or small groups. With just five rooms, the atmosphere remains blissfully peaceful, making this an ideal retreat for couples, older travellers, or anyone seeking to properly switch off.

Outside, a 15m infinity pool overlooks the undulating tea fields and misty valleys that stretch towards Ella — a postcard-perfect backdrop for lazy afternoons, dips between chapters of a good book, or a quiet sunset drink. The garden also offers hidden corners for private dining and candlelit celebrations, and the whole bungalow can be taken exclusively for special occasions.

Dining is unpretentious and genuinely excellent. Meals are pre-ordered and made entirely from scratch, with the kitchen serving both Western and Sri Lankan favourites (don’t miss the pad Thai, red wine-braised beef, or exquisite local curries). Daily menus are curated with care and change regularly, and for those choosing the Luxury All-Inclusive option, premium house wines, spirits and even sparkling wines are all part of the offering. It’s the kind of place where every need is anticipated before you even think to ask — all without a hint of fuss.

For those who like a little light adventure, the surrounding hill country is rich with possibilities. Walks through tea plantations can be taken independently or with your butler, and nearby excursions include the Nine Arch Bridge, Finlay’s Tea Factory, and scenic day trips to Haputale, Bandarawela, or Ella Rock. Guests on an all-inclusive basis enjoy complimentary experiences, such as a guided tea tasting or Sri Lankan cookery demonstration, adding an extra layer of immersion to the stay.

With no televisions, no forced entertainment, and no unnecessary distractions, Nine Skies is a place to properly unplug — where the days unfold with gentle rhythm, and luxury means space, privacy, and the sense that everything is exactly as it should be.

Why Book Nine Skies?
Because it’s everything a boutique hill country retreat should be — intimate, elegant, and steeped in character. With just five thoughtfully styled bedrooms, sweeping views over Demodera and Ella, and quietly impeccable butler service, it feels more like a private home than a hotel. Add a countryside-facing infinity pool, curated experiences from tea tastings to scenic walks, and the option of a luxury all-inclusive stay, and you’ll see why Nine Skies is one of our most cherished finds in Sri Lanka’s hill country.

Many of our guests travel to Sri Lanka as part of a wider journey, taking in multiple regions to experience the island’s extraordinary diversity. Nine Skies is often just one stop on a much broader tailor-made itinerary. To explore how this hotel might fit into your own bespoke journey, visit the ‘Tailor-Made Itineraries’ tab or get in touch — we’d be delighted to help you make the most of your time on this vast and varied island.

In a nutshell

Prices From: Prices on request
Board Basis: Flexible dining options available – choose from Half Board or Luxury All Inclusive
Number of Rooms: 5
Number of Guests: Family Friendly
Distance to Town: 15 minutes drive to Ella
Distance to Airport: 5 hours drive to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport ( Domestic airport served by Cinnamon Air is Castlereagh 90 minutes by car
Views: Glorious tea plantation views and garden views
Car Hire: Most guests utilise a vehicle and driver, trains or tuk-tuks to explore the wider region
Wifi: Yes

Our guests love

Once the estate manager’s bungalow on a working tea plantation, Nine Skies is now a beautifully reimagined five-bedroom hideaway above the hills of Demodara. With sweeping views of the plantations, hill country and iconic railway loop, butler-attended service, and a sense of slow, colonial-era elegance, it feels more like a private home than a hotel — the kind of place where time drifts gently and the details quietly shine.

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