Kandy & Nuwara Eliya

Camellia Hills

Our rating

TripadvisorBased on 6,874 reviews

£4,234 per person, £16,936 total

Or call us0800 092 4444

Enquire Prices & availability

A brew with a view

This is that place. The one where they talk about the breathtaking views and they really turn out to be breathtaking. The one where you sip Ceylon tea with singing birds and swim alongside mountains.

The moment you step through Camellia Hills’ doors you’ll get a feeling of floating on air. You’re high in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country sky close to cloud forests and Adam’s Peak. Just five bedrooms run the length of this boutique bungalow, guaranteeing a pristine and private retreat. Heck, we won’t even tell anyone if you pretend it’s your second home. Inside design is calm and streamlined with hardwood floors, high beams, roaring fires and guest rooms eschewing televisions in place of views. Outside is a dramatic reveal, eye-to-eye with the monastery-quiet lake and misty mountains. This blissful hotel celebrates everything we love about switching off in style. Morning birdsong and wilderness walks. An outdoor infinity pool and G&Ts on the terrace. A low mile menu at the farm-to-table restaurant and a butler serving Ceylon tea.

Best for:

BoutiqueAll Inclusive

Avg flight time7 hrs

A brew with a view

Why our experts like it

We've done the exploring, asked the locals, made the mistakes, and found the gems... so you don't have to start from scratch! These are the bits we think you'll love the most. Think of it as travel advice from a friend who just got back and can't wait to tell you everything.

Table set for dinner on the terrace at La Belle Vie

If you love French cuisine, look no further than La Belle Vie

The atoll seen from the air on the way in

An incredible way to kick off your Maldives holiday

“There's something pretty special about travelling by seaplane. The view from the sky is extraordinary - tiny specs of island and shades of blue that barely look real.”

Jeremy FisherKuoni Travel Expert

The iconic, mile-long sandbank

Perfect for isolated sunbathing, dramatic photoshoots, and watching breathtaking Maldivian sunsets.

Snorkelling and diving isn't the only way to catch sight of the underwater world

“If snorkelling and diving isn't for you, it's possible to catch a glimpse of the reef from a glass-bottomed boat instead.”

Sarah ShepherdKuoni Marketing Team

Children playing on the beach at the kids club

Kids club at Niva Kuramathi Maldives

Supervised activities through the day, so younger guests get their own adventure while you get a quiet hour by the water.

A brew with a view

We book this hotel the way you want it

This Maldives hotel is perfect on its own, but add Sri Lanka, Dubai or the Seychelles and it becomes something even better. Discover our multi-centre holidays and make paradise last longer.

Rooms available at Camellia Hills

Rooms and suites

Every room type we can book, with what is included in each.

Camellia Bedroom

A cosy bedroom with dark wood accents and twin beds and a private terrace. • ceiling fan • veranda • twin beds • tea and coffee making facilities • Wi-Fi • 34m²

More information about Camellia Bedroom

Lakeview Bedroom

Stunning rooms with a four-poster bed and views out over Castlereagh Reservoir. • ceiling fan • four-poster bed • tea and coffee making facilities • Wi-Fi • 34m²

More information about Lakeview Bedroom

Lakeview Suite

Open-plan suites on the lower ground floor with a seating area and a terrace that leads to a lawn area. • ceiling fan • veranda • king-size bed • tea and coffee making facilities • en suite with bathtub and shower • Wi-Fi • 34m²

More information about Lakeview Suite

Dickoya Suite

Master bedroom featuring a four-poster king bed, lounge area and private veranda. This is seamlessly interconnected with a second bedroom with a single bed and a pullout trundle bed. • ceiling fan • veranda • four-poster king-size bed • single bed and pullout trundle bed • tea and coffee making facilities • en suite with bathtub and shower • Wi-Fi • 52m²

More information about Dickoya Suite

Food & drink

There may only be one restaurant (farm-to-table focused and honouring the bounty of the region) but there are plenty of spots for dining and drinking including the open-air terrace with a moving postcard of mountains and lake and the Secret Viewpoint with a sundowner picnic. And we can’t not mention those breakfasts by the jewel of a pool - the scenic hilltop spot for starting your day in the very best way - or the lunchtime feast at Fairlawn Falls, where you can swim at the waterfall and dine with your feet dipped in the river.

Camellia Hills — Camellia Hills - Pool (2)

A brew with a view

Things to do nearby

Curated experiences to help you do more, see more, or simply switch off while you're here.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Cooking Class

Set in a restaurant adjacent to a cinnamon plantation, you’ll get busy preparing a traditional Sri Lankan curry with a recipe that’s been inherited over generations before tucking into your own delicious creations over lunch. • Duration: half day • Daily departures • year round • Private experience • Available for guests travelling with a private chauffeur and staying in Kandalama, Dambulla, Habarana and Kandy Good to know — This class is ideal for those travelling between Habarana or Kandalama and Kandy or vice versa due to its location between the two.

Kandy & Nuwara Eliya

Scenic Train Journey - Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

• Duration: half day • Time: 12.20pm to 4.00pm • Daily departures • Operates year-round • Group experience Good to know — The train journey is based on tickets in the best available class, air-conditioned carriage, where available. It includes lunch or high tea depending on journey time (after the rail journey at a local restaurant), taxes and service charges.

Sri Lanka

The Art of Drumming

The traditional music and percussion instruments of Sri Lanka are the focus on this short but sweet experience from Kandy. Learn about the history and culture surrounding the Kandyan drum, their importance and use during festivals, rituals and at temples. There’ll be the chance to try out the skill for yourself under the guidance of an experienced drummer; this is a great experience to enjoy together as a family. • Duration: 2 hours • Time: 9am to 11am or 3pm to 5pm • Daily departures from Kandy • Operates year-round • Private experience

Sri Lanka

Ceylon Tea Picking Experience

After all that learning, end the day with a refreshing cup of Ceylon Tea straight from the plantation and a newfound appreciation for the hard work that goes into every cup. • Duration: half day • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience • Available for guests travelling with a private chauffeur and staying in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy Good to know — This is a great half day trip for those travelling between Nuwara Eliya and Kandy or vice versa, due to its location between the two.

Kandy & Nuwara Eliya

Kandy Highlights and Cultural Fire Dance Tour

This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates right back to the 14th century, lending an authentic glimpse into times gone by, while the fire dancing ritual has been carefully recreated for an evening performance you’ll never forget. Watch as the fire dancers walk over hot coals and dance among the flames and soak up every second of this jaw-dropping recital.

Sri Lanka

Udawaththakale Forest Trek

• Duration: 2 to 3 hours • Daily departures from Kandy • Operates year-round • Private experience

Kandy & Nuwara Eliya

Ceylon Tea Tour & High Tea at the Heritance Tea Factory

Savour the distinctive yet calming notes of this floral black tea as you enjoy a round of tea tasting with a trained tea taster before heading on a guided tour around the plantation. To round things off, at the end of the day, an irresistible high tea will be ready and waiting for you to tuck in. Wrap your taste buds around freshly-brewed Ceylon tea, neatly cut sandwiches and an assortment of delectable cakes and bakes before heading back with a full tummy and a heart full of fond memories. • Duration: 1.5 hours

Anuradhapura

Dambulla Cave Temple

Adorned with statues of Gautama Buddha and ornate ceiling paintings, the iconic temple is brimming with artefacts depicting the island’s glorious past and is not to be missed. • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience • Available for guests travelling with a private chauffeur and staying in Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Habarana, Kandalama, Kandy and Passikudah hotels • Available as a day trip for guests staying at hotels in Negombo Good to know — Legs and shoulders must be covered, and shoes will need to be removed when exploring the temples.

Sri Lanka

Learn the Art of Traditional Pottery & Pan Mat Making

Spend a few hours discovering the skill and beauty of a couple of the traditional crafts still practiced in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country: pottery and weaving. You’ll visit the workshop of a potter and learn about the age-old methods used to create stunning earthenware pieces as well as trying your hand on the potter’s wheel yourself. The focus then shifts to the intricate art of weaving pan reeds into vibrant and multi-use mats – a pan padura – which most families in Sri Lanka will own. Watch as dried-out reeds are transformed in front of your eyes and even have a go yourself. • Duration: 3 to 4 hours • Daily departures from Kandy • Operates year-round • Private experience

Kandy & Nuwara Eliya

Scenic Train Journey - Nuwara Eliya to Kandy

• Duration: half day • Time: 1.40pm to 6pm • Daily departures • Operates year-round • Group experience Good to know — The train journey is based on tickets in the best available class, air-conditioned carriage, where available. It includes lunch or high tea depending on journey time (after the rail journey at a local restaurant), taxes and service charges.

Sri Lanka

Kandy Horse Riding

• Duration: 1 hour • Daily departures from Kandy • Operates year-round • Private experience

Kandy & Nuwara Eliya

Scenic Train Journey - Nuwara Eliya to Ella

• Duration: half day • Time: 3.45pm to 6.30pm • Daily departures • Operates year-round • Group experience Good to know — The train journey is based on tickets in the best available class, air-conditioned carriage, where available. It includes lunch or high tea depending on journey time (after the rail journey at a local restaurant), taxes and service charges.

A brew with a view

There is more than one way to do this trip

A match made in paradise

This hotel is perfect on its own, but add a second destination and it becomes something even better. Discover our multi-centre holidays and make paradise last longer.

Explore multi-centres

A brew with a view

In the area

Surrounded by tea estates and overlooking the Castlereagh Valley and Reservoir; close to the famous Adam’s Peak. The closest villages are Maskeliya and Hatton.

Map of the atoll showing places near the resort

A brew with a view

Trip ideas

You've come this far - and the world has more to offer. Why not pair Niva Kuramathi with another island, add a stopover in Dubai on the way for city lights and desert skies, or extend to Sri Lanka for tea, temples and safari? Below you'll find our recommendations for maximising your time away...