Bandarawela, just 40 minutes from Haputale, has always been a hideaway to Sri Lankan’s in a true sense of the word. During the WWII this is where the empire building British retreated when faced with the might of the Empire of the Rising Sun, who came knocking on their back door. Today Bandarawela is much more of a laid back town of tea estates and vegetable famers. This picturesque little town re
minds of everything in miniature, but with some of the greatest views all around. The British Tea Baron, Sir Thomas Lipton had his retreat here to enjoy over his spoils of this far flung corner of the empire and viewed his tea empire from the “Lipton’s seat”. The climate reminds you of Nuware Eliya though not so chilly and it doesn’t pour down whenever the sky feels like. Bandarawela is hailed as possessing one of the healthiest climates in the world, & nothing much has happened here to change that. For the better part of the year the climate remains the best for trekking with the wind cooling you down on your grueling walks as the terrain is rarely straight. The Hideaway Bandarawela which consists of 08 rooms with terrific views, is snuggled against a mountain range with unrestricted views across the valley towards Badulla and the Namunukula range about 30 kilometers away. This little gem is “The hotel” for the honeymooners, writers and for people who want complete solitude from the hustle and bustle of city life, with only the sound of falling water to break the harmony of nature.
