‘Tea and Experience Factory’: The first Colonial Hotel in Mandaramnuwara
Mandaramnuwara, a misty mountain locked terrain, is not a popular tourist destination. It is mainly because of the distance and the difficulty in roadway transportation. Situated in the Nuwara Eliya district, the basin can be reached via Kandy on the road leading to Walapane, passing Rikillagaskada and Padiyapelalla or from Nuwara Eliya via Kandapola. The road in the hilly terrain turns and twirls its way maneuvering through to a destination enthralling traveller’s vision.
Bordering the Piduruthalagala Forest Reserve, at the base of the massif is this small village, enclosed from the west by Piduruthalagala and from the east by the Balagolla mountain ranges. Due to its topographical assemblage, at a high altitude the village receives rain much of the year. It is a village that has never seen the very first rays of the sun or the last rays because of its mountain locked location.
The first recognised hotel in Mandaramnuwara featuring sixteen luxury rooms and all amenities of a boutique hotel, ‘Tea and Experience Factory’ ceremonially opened its doors to the guests on the 30th of July 2019. All sixteen luxury rooms boast a breathtaking view of the misty mountain range of Mandaramnuwara.
Apart from Colonial splendor, ‘Tea and Experience Factory’ offers a heated pool surrounded by tea plantations.
Staying true to their positive attitude which led to the opening the famous hotel ‘Maalu Maalu Resort and Spa’ following the 30 years of civil war, Theme Resorts and Spas marks another positive leap during a time, where the tourism industry of Sri Lanka is not at its best.
‘Having proved our knack for sustainability and innovation, ‘Theme Resorts’ are proud to play its part in uplifting the tourism industry during difficult times. Our main aim is to offer our guests an authentic Sri Lankan experience instead of a mere bed and buffet’ said Chandra Wickramasinghe, the Chairman of ‘Theme Resorts and Spas’
Kabaragalla Tea factory in Mandaramnuwara claims prestigious history where it fetched the highest price for its tea at the first tea auction of Colombo in 1883.
First established in late 1800’s, the tea factory was owned by Sancroft Holmes from 1887 to 1893. The factory stopped operations in 1991.
It was rediscovered under the patronage of veteran hotelier and travel agent, Chandra Wickramasinghe after 28 years of abandon.
The tea factory now stands in its Victorian grandeur, re-christened as ‘Tea and Experience Factory’, an experiential boutique hotel.
‘Tea and Experience factory’ was ceremonially re-opened on the 136th anniversary of the first tea auction of Colombo with a special religious ceremony for God Muni – a ritual practiced over centuries by plantation workers.
‘Dining inside a working tea factory: an experience like no other’ added Wickramasinghe.
The first honorary guest of the hotel is Swedish blogger and journalist, Christian Muda and his family enjoying scrumptious cuisine by ‘Appu’.
‘All treatments at the T-Spa of the hotel incorporate tea- based formulas loaded with antioxidants. The vintage ambiance bar is the biggest attraction of the Hotel’ said Chandra.
For more details call, 0117 386386 or log onto www.themeresorts.com
