The Rosyth Estate House

The Rosyth Estate House is a planter’s residence dating from 1926, set high on a sprawling working rubber and tea estate near Kegalle, between Colombo and Kandy. Ten bedrooms across the main house and its pavilions sleep up to twenty, making it one of the most generous whole-property stays in Sri Lanka’s lower hill country, and a natural fit for large families, reunions or a group of friends travelling together.

Outdoors, a ten-by-five-metre pool sits among palms and terraced gardens, with sun loungers and big umbrellas, and an outdoor sala for shade. There are organic gardens, a sun terrace and a badminton court, and long verandas run around the house with planters’ chairs angled towards the forested hills. The estate itself invites wandering, with a local tea factory just a short distance away.

Inside, the living rooms are furnished with local artworks and antiques, the airy dining pavilion looks out over the trees, and the library has shelves of books and a large TV for quiet evenings. Bedrooms come in several styles, from classic rooms in the main pavilion to deluxe rooms with twin vanities and two plantation suites with outdoor baths, almost all with king beds and air conditioning. A private chef cooks Sri Lankan and Western dishes, breakfast and dinner are included, and cooking lessons, spa treatments and yoga classes can be arranged.