Situated at the northern end of Nuwara Eliya overlooking the century-old golf course and Single Tree Hill, Anilana Craigbank enjoys a wonderfully peaceful location. Set in a beautifully manicured child-friendly garden with preened lawns, multi-coloured roses and clipped hedges flourishing bright purple agapanthus, this fully-restored period property is more than 160 years old. On the sweeping veranda to the front of the property, potted petunias and marigolds scatter the tiled floor beside colonial armchairs topped with thick cushions. Enjoy afternoon tea from here as you admire the mountain views and relish the invigorating mountain climate of this unique hill country town.

Inside this stately property - refurbished by a previous French owner to European standards of comfort - are four individually-designed bedrooms. Each room features its own unique colour scheme, and fabric-covered walls come in hues of chocolate, burgundy, white and green. A sprinkling of fireplaces provide extra warmth in the bedrooms and lounge but also add to the property’s evocative colonial ambiance; Ceylonese prints, leather-bound books, brass candelabras and hunting memorabilia hark back to an earlier time in the island’s history when the British planters made this Hill Country town their home. Leisurely days spent hunting, fishing, golfing or at the races were followed by indulgent dinners featuring hearty home-grown cuisine and G&Ts beside a roaring log fire.     

Little has changed today; whilst the activities you might indulge in are slightly different to those of the past, at Anilana Craigbank you can still revel in the privileged life of a planter with all its luxurious comforts and perks! Each member staff is an expert in authentic hospitality and meals are cooked for you by the in-house chef. The climate of Nuwara Eliya is much cooler than most of Sri Lanka, which makes outdoor adventure particularly rewarding. Explore the town’s eccentricities on foot, escape into the cloudforest, drop into a tea factory or study the amazing range of fresh produce grown in and around the town by Nuwara Eliya’s small-scale farmers.