Madulkelle Sri Lanka

Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge in Kandy: Glamping in Sri Lanka’s Tea Country

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Glamping tent in Central Sri Lanka with text overlay Glamping tent in Central Sri Lanka with text overlay

Experience world-class eco-luxury among Sri Lanka’s tea plantations – read on for my Madulkelle review.

Panoramic view from Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge in Sri Lanka

Green. Everywhere you look. Green. This is what was waiting for us after waking up at 4:30 am and traveling for nearly seven hours (read more about traveling through tea country by train here).

Tuk tuk in Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka

We traveled from Nuwara Eliya, and it took us two tuk tuks, two trains and one car to get to this haven high up in the hills of Kandy, and boy was it worth it.

Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge is an hour’s drive away from the heart of Kandy, and offers 18 safari-like lodges with the most incredible views over Kandy’s mountain ranges. Each room has its own private balcony overlooking the tea plantations below and the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. The climate, unlike coastal Sri Lanka, is dry and much milder, so expect warm days and cool nights.

Visiting Sri Lanka for the first time? Click here for 12 things you should know before traveling to Sri Lanka or head on over here for 10 reasons why you need to visit Sri Lanka now!

I found out about this heavenly resort through none other than Instagram, and the visual wanderluster in me knew right there and then that I had to visit this place the next time I was in Sri Lanka.

Have you ever been to a place where everything is perfect and you’re ready to pack your bags and move in? This is one of those places. We stayed for two nights and I could have easily stayed for ten – nay, twenty!

The Rooms at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge

The rooms at Madulkelle are spacious and are what I would describe as eco-luxe, dahhhling. Comfortable and classy, but not pretentious or pompous – make sense? You can’t see the bathroom, but it’s behind the separating wall and has a standalone shower and toilet, with a sink area in the middle.

The water is heated through solar powered heaters so while hot water is limited, you’ll be fine as long as you don’t shower in the dead of night. Make sure you keep the “front doors” of the tent shut at dusk, because the mosquitoes in tea country are on steroids.

We also had a sneak peek into the honeymoon suite, which has its own jacuzzi-style bathtub on the balcony, TV (what for when you have nature at your doorstep?), lounge area and in-room wifi (there is free, high-speed wifi in the restaurant, but not in the deluxe rooms). In my opinion it’s one of the best honeymoon hotels in Sri Lanka.

How do you put a price tag on these kinds of views? Simply put, you can’t, but if you had to, we paid US$250 a night (including taxes) for our stay in March at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge. Every afternoon, we sipped tea (naturally) on the balcony and watched the sun slowly slink down below the misty mountains, and in the morning, we were offered out-of-this-world views of the sun rising and illuminating the hills, little by little.

The Facilities at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge

Floral water arrangement in Sri Lanka

The spa is the epitome of serenity and relaxation. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the lovely staff and beautiful nature mandalas created out of flowers floating on water. We opted for a full body aromatherapy massage and while the pressure was a little too gentle for my liking, my boyfriend was in heaven. That being said, I am a masochist when it comes to massages.

There’s one thing we both loved and that was the amazing scalp massage: for the last 10 minutes of the massage, we were asked to move to a chair where the ladies proceeded to give the most divine scalp and head massage while we gazed out into the mountains. Dreamy.

The infinity pool at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge is what other infinity pools aspire to be when they grow up one day. The lounge chairs are the perfect setting for a lazy afternoon lie-down, and the pool is perfect for cooling off after a hot day and looking out to the Knuckles mountain range (the mountain formation resembles knuckles – get it?).

Knuckles Mountain Range is a UNESCO Site and a must-visit place in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Click here for 7 places you have to visit in this region!

The main reception building houses a bar, snooker table, lounge area and indoor/outdoor restaurant. There really aren’t any dining options outside of the hotel, and while many other hotels would take advantage of this by charging their guests extortionate prices for meals, Madulkelle has kept their drink and food prices extremely reasonable, without compromising on quality – I’m talking $15 USD for a delicious three-course dinner. $15!!!

Breakfast was massive and delectable, with eggs cooked to order, sausages, crispy bacon, freshly baked croissants and the most finger-lickin’ good banana and butter cakes, baked onsite.

The best part about the food at Madulkelle? Most of the ingredients are grown in their own organic vegetable and herb garden!

Ready to book your eco-luxury stay in Sri Lanka? Click here to check rates and availability at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge!

Things to Do at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge

Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge offers a number of activities for its guests – waterfall excursions, treks, tea factory tours – but we did none of that. Oops. The kind of head space I was in was more conducive to recharging by sitting back and soaking in all the hotel had to offer (with a glass of wine in hand), rather than putting on my walking shoes and getting all hot and sweaty. So sue me!

Madulkelle Sri Lanka 11

You can, however, explore and take a leisurely stroll around the hotel’s premises and tea plantation to your heart’s content. The hotel is surrounded by tea plants and the plants are picked regularly by women dressed in delicate saris. If you ask nicely, they’ll be happy for you to take photos (always ask!).

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy Sri Lanka

It’s also possible to do a day trip to Kandy where you can visit the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth, home to Buddha’s Tooth that was brought to Sri Lanka in the 16th century. Click here for 7 places you need to visit in the city of Kandy.

Getting to Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge

There are a number of ways to get to Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge – we took a car from Kandy town (hour-long drive, $30 USD) followed by a 15 minute ride in a tuk tuk (200 rupees – under $1 USD at the current exchange rate!) once the roads were a little too rough for the car. If you’re feeling ~fancy~, the hotel can be reached by sea plane or a helicopter!

View of Knuckles from Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge in Sri Lanka

All-in-all, I am counting the days until my next visit to Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge. I’ve always been a glass-half-empty kind of person (I know, I know, I’m working on it!) and if there’s something to nitpick about, chances are I’ll be the first to pick that nit – but truly, this place was wonderful and the staff (Hello Kithsiri! You’re the best!) were so friendly, helpful and accommodating.

What’s even better is that they donate $1 from each booking to their children’s development program and a portion of the hotel’s proceeds back into community projects. What’s not to love? Click here to book your stay at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge!

Are you thinking about visiting Sri Lanka or have you stayed at Madulkelle before? I’d love to hear from you below!

Headed to Sri Lanka? You might also find these helpful:

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I stayed at Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge as a paying customer, the opinions on Yogawinetravel.com are, and always will be, my own!

This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to book using these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my website by using these links. 

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32 Comments

  1. This post has come up at the right time as we ourselves have been planning a trip down to Srilanka in the next few months. And trust me, you have gotten me all the more excited as Madulkelle lodge looks like a piece of heaven! Those stunning views and that infinity pool – really epic!

  2. Absolutely incredible. This is exactly what you have in mind when you think picturesque! The views, the food, the walks, the views, the environment, and the views. You took amazing photos. I want to go here right now! I have always thought it would be amazing to try tea straight from the earth and be able to walk around a tea plantation.

  3. I have never been to Sri Lanka. The nature is so lush green there! I hope I will be able to visit this country one day.

  4. I know your post would be a hit for me as I loveee tea. Tea plus that view – unbeatable! Definitely on top of my list to go in Asia!

  5. Ahhh Sri Lanka! I have seen and heard nothing but fantastic things about this tiny island nation. I absolutely cannot wait to explore all her knooks and crannies next year. I’ll be referencing this!

  6. That’s really nice!!
    I’ve been reading about Sri Lanka a lot!!
    It looks like a great experience, and I loved the stunning vistas from the hotel and the picture of the women working on the tea plantation.
    Cheers

  7. I NEED to do one of these trips! I am looking into some solo travel options and the more I read on tea lodges that more impressed I am. That pool?! I’m sold. And a 3 course dinner for $15?! This spot is definitely going to be a serious contender!!

  8. All your photos of sri Lanka are gorgeous, you should work for the tourism board! I loved all your posts but Madulkelle/Kandy is the one place I would actually go to since I hate humidity! Thanks for the tip! Is it worth staying only 2 nights considering the effort of getting there?

    1. It is extremely surprising how different the climates are in various regions of Sri Lanka! It is worth it, 100%, but if I had more time I would have happily stayed another night or 2!

  9. Amazing photos and quite an informative post! It’s always so hard to capture all of nature through a lense so I guess I will have to make a trip there of my own!

    1. Exactly! I truly believe everyone should visit Sri Lanka sooner rather than later, let me know if you make it over!

  10. So picturesque! Sounds like a place where you can be as active or laid back as you wish. Will definitely keep this place in mind for the future, your photos really appeal to the visual wanderluster in all of us!

    1. So glad that the photos helped to transport you there! It really is a wonderful place that allows you to chase waterfalls or lounge by the pool.

  11. Totally agree with you, this looks like a place where you can just chill and do nothing, no need for other activities! I will mark it down for my next trip to Sri Lanka, can’t wait!!

    1. You absolutely have to visit, Manfred! It’s only becoming more popular (in other words, crowded!) – maybe in 2017?

  12. This place looks divine and it sounds perfect for everyone! I’d definitely want to do the more active excursions, but I know that my girlfriend would prefer the spa and exploring the hotel grounds. Also, who needs wifi in the room anyway when you have those views?!

    P.S. I hate mosquitos so thanks for the heads up.

    1. That’s exactly what we thought, Mog! No wi-fi necessary. I’m kicking myself for not going on the excursions as the waterfalls in the area are majestic, maybe time for another trip there soon!

  13. Wow! This sounds and looks like an amazing and magical place. It makes me want to visit Sri Lanka even more than I already did!

    1. You must visit Clare! It’s such a amazing country with tons to offer. If you’re planning a trip there check out my 2 week itinerary!

  14. Wow. I have been to Sri Lanka but not to Kandy. I never realised there is so much beauty there. Maybe time for another trip.

    1. Absolutely Melanie! Let me know if you make it back, although the country is relatively small in size there are so many different places to explore.

  15. Sri Lanka is definitely on the top of my bucket list, this seems like a great place to stay in the tea plantations and it’s not too far from Kandi! Thanks for the post! Sensational!

    1. Thanks for taking the time to read through, Tim! I can highly recommend Madulkelle as a destination for 2-3 nights. Sri Lanka has a ton to offer visitors – check out my 2 week itinerary if you’re planning a trip!

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