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Bandarawela Hotel in Ella, Sri Lanka

Bandarawela Hotel

Bandarawela Hotel is a colonial-style bungalow hotel in the hill town of Bandarawela, with the feel of an old country lodge and views of the surrounding mountains. Reminders of the colonial era are everywhere: an old black Austin-Healey and a BSA motorcycle stand in the garden, and the reception has a Bakelite telephone and an old typewriter.

Image Credit: Bandarawela Hotel

Location and things to do

Bandarawela lies between Ella and Haputale, so it is a good base for the southern hill country. Ella's sights, such as Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arches Bridge, are a short drive east, and Lipton's Seat is to the west. World's End in Horton Plains makes an early morning day trip.

For more ideas, see things to do in Horton Plains, or compare all hotels in Ella.

  • Check-in1400 hrs
  • Check-out1200 hrs

Accommodation

The hotel has 33 comfortable rooms, listed as Standard Rooms.

Inside the Standard Rooms at Bandarawela Hotel, Ella

Standard Rooms

The first category at Bandarawela Hotel is a 20 sqm room with colonial-style interiors and views of the misty mountains. Twin beds are available, and the room has a bathtub, Wi-Fi, a TV, a kettle and a sitting area.

Image Credit: Bandarawela Hotel

Facilities

  • Table tennis and billiards.
  • Garden and children's playground.
  • Free on-site parking and an excursion desk.
  • Excursion desk
  • Games room
  • Kids playground
  • Spa
  • Free parking
  • Garden
  • Scenic inland setting
  • Private check-in and check-out
  • Gym and fitness centre

Food and drink

Guests can eat at the main restaurant, which serves Sri Lankan and international food, or try the hotel's "third dimension cuisine", a menu of signature dishes.

  • Dining room with meals cooked to order
  • A la carte dining
  • Room service, limited hours
  • Bar
  • Tea lounge or cafe
  • Outdoor dining
  • Local and international cuisine

How to Get There

You will find Bandarawela Hotel in the centre of Bandarawela. The drive from Bandaranaike International Airport covers roughly 205 km and takes 5 and a half hours or so, travelling through Ratnapura and Balangoda, then up the Haputale pass.

If you start in Colombo, it is around 195 km, about 5 and a half hours on the road.

As of October 2026 the hill country line is closed between Kandy and Nanu Oya after Cyclone Ditwah, so the trip from Colombo is by road. Trains do run between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla if you are coming from elsewhere in the hills.

To keep arrival simple, ask us for a private transfer with a chauffeur who meets you outside arrivals. You can keep the car for touring afterwards. Allow extra time at weekends and on public holidays, when the roads out of Colombo are busier.