Chimneys: Spreading a warm old world charm in the hill resort
View(s):Cosy, luxurious and secluded, Chimneys in Nuwara Eliya is that small boutique hotel that rekindles the allure of a holiday in the hills that the hill resort swamped by mushrooming high rises had somewhat lost in recent years.
Just 1.6 km from the heart of town, Chimneys is not a vintage property but is built on a portion of an extensive block of land that once belonged to Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, father of SWRD. It had long since passed on through several owners. Chairman and Managing Director of Quickshaws (Pvt) Ltd., Devan de Mel came upon the bungalow when having decided to expand the portfolio of the family run firm known for managing two of Anuradhapura’s heritage rest houses – Nuwara Wewa and Tissa Wewa, was scouting options in Kandy, Ella and even down South. Seeing the bungalow so close to town, he was struck by the potential that it presented.
A sense of space: The new building of Chimneys that houses the Superior and Executive rooms
One of his first moves when he acquired the property was to plant cypress trees on the borders. These, now grown tall in a short span of a few years, provide a protective and aromatic shield around Chimneys, adding to its secluded air.
The drive in past the cypress takes you to the low roofed bungalow, its entrance framed by mauve, blue, pink and white hydrangea blooming in abundance. The modest lobby is welcoming and leads to the main hall– a place to just sink into cushioned sofas and relax with a cuppa. This is an elegantly designed room and for book lovers, the immediate draw is the large bookshelf lining one wall which holds an eclectic collection – coffee table books on art and architecture in the island, an impressively bound series of Historians’ History of the World and even Readers’ Digest condensed books, a favourite of yesteryear amidst a selection of recent titles and bestsellers.
Chimneys has just 11 rooms all beautifully furnished; five Standard rooms leading off the corridor in the bungalow, three Superior rooms and three Executive rooms, the latter six located in the new building overlooking a large lawn, where the view is of the Galway Forest range, a birders’ spot with some 10 Sri Lankan endemics not to mention wild boar and barking deer. Restful and minimally landscaped, the garden is designed to be one with nature, the eye rising to the sweep of forest and hillside beyond. The lawn is where you can choose to have a leisurely breakfast or enjoy high tea and even a game of croquet if you fancy.
Cosy comfort: The main lounge at Chimneys
The new two-storey building, blending in with Nuwara Eliya heritage buildings is in a mock Tudor style – designed by architect Dipika Dharmadasa who also handled the hotel’s elegant décor, all in muted shades with old style furniture, carpets and handsomely framed botanical drawings and old prints of Ceylon. Taking on Mr de Mel’s ‘few ideas’, the ambience is of vintage elegance.
There were some live chimneys in the original bungalow and hence the name Chimneys – also a nod to the Agatha Christie bestseller ‘The Secret of the Chimneys’.
That English vibe is reflected in the menu too, that offers many choices among them traditional British cuisine like a hearty Steak and kidney pie and desserts like Eton Mess. The dining room is named ‘Chequers’ for its black and white floor and leads to an open deck perfect for enjoying the crisp Nuwara Eliya air. A herb garden alongside holds a selection that the chefs use.
On chilly nights, the bar is the place to retreat to for cocktails by the fireplace. Two old photographs in a corner are a memento of Quickshaws’ long history, a time when the owners dined with British cinematic royalty – Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh who were here for the filming of the ill-fated Elephant Walk.
Chimneys is managed by A&A Leisure (Pvt) Ltd, which in addition to its focus on quality travel, has an extensive range of packages and excursions, that can be custom-made to cater individual interests . A day’s trip to Horton Plains from the hotel, for instance, led by a naturalist can include a trek to Thotupola, a visit to the Ambewela farm, a stop for strawberries and even a picnic with a view high on the hillside where pleasantly tired after the World’s End walk, guests can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, cookies, cakes and tarts freshly baked by the hotel’s chef all delectably presented.
Chimneys, that is soon to be part of the Pekoe Trail hotels (it is just 4.2 km from the end of stage 22), also has regular special offers – among them an attractive one for senior citizens.
See www.chimneys.lk, www.aaleisure.com and instagram;
chimneys.nuwaraeliya.
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