Built in the 1890’s, The Lavender House is an old Colonial planter’s bungalow surrounded by the lush green tea estate of Helboda.  The bungalow has been carefully restored by its Australian owners, Gabby and James, who are also the owners of the famous Cricket Club Café in Colombo. The long refurbishment finally finished in 2006 and the result is a brilliant hill country escape, an old house that blends old world charm with luxurious comfort, peace and tranquility. Those that have enjoyed the Cricket Club Café during the past decade will not be surprised to hear that the bungalow is staffed by a highly efficient and attentive team. There are five en suite bedrooms in all. We recommend very highly for couples and families as the bungalow, situated in 7 acres of gardens, offers plenty of attractions to keep children entertained for hours on end.

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Accommodation
The five elegant en suite bedrooms have working fireplaces and are furnished with  beautiful antiques, including large canopied four-poster beds dressed with luxurious linen.   The large rooms open out to the large gardens.  The ensuite bathrooms, which have bathtubs and showers, are suitably luxurious for such a fine property.

Facilities
Guests can choose to have breakfast on the terrace, high tea in the lounge, and dinner in the lavish dining room.  European and Sri Lankan cuisine is available, all prepared by a highly skilled kitchen team that have been well-trained in the Cricket Club Café. Any of the vegetables and herbs come for their own home garden.  A remarkably well-stocked wine cellar, including some strong Australian vineyards and also some exceptional French classics, will provide a major attraction for wine lovers. The outdoors offers extensive landscaped gardens, clay tennis courts and an infinity pool with picturesque views of the surrounding tea plantation.

Excursions
Explore the surrounding Helboda Tea estate and tea factory where you will gain insight into the manufacturing process as well as an opportunity to taste the different grades of hill country tea.  Visit the city of Kandy, steeped in history and surrounded by nature.  Visit the Temple of the Tooth where a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined and the Peradeniya Botanical gardens with its orchid collection and formally laid-out trees.  Experience Kandy’s ancient arts and crafts including drum making, Dumbara mat waving, crafting Kandyan jewelry, and traditional Kandyan dance and drumming.  The hill country town of Nuwara Eliya also offers many activities including the challenging 18 holed golf course of the Nuwara ELiya Golf Club, horse riding  and a visit to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens.