98 Acres Resort and Spa – Travelers Amidst the Haven Hills

Ella is a small village of quaint beauty placed amidst the peaks of Bandarawela falling within the borders of Uva province of Sri Lanka. The sleepy village is nestled in a valley peering straight through Ella Gap to the plain nearly 1000m below and across to the coastline; where on a fine day, you could even catch a glimpse of the Great Basses lighthouse.

As if the view wasn’t enough, Ella is surrounded by hills perfect for walks through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls. With a little more than a handful of shops, hotels and guesthouses, Ella still remains a sequestered hamlet amidst the hills and bequeaths a mysterious old-world charm to its visitors.

The tea estate which was once owned and managed by a British national during the Colonial era of Ceylon was then more famously known as the ‘Southerland tea estate’. ownership of the estate, now named the “Uva Greenlands” was eventually passed onto the UHE Group. The plantation, while continuing to produce fine quality Uva medium elevation pure Ceylon Tea now gives residence to the charming, elegant holiday resort suitably named the 98Acres under the same management.

The resort is built around an exclusive concept that entwines pure relaxation with eco friendly tourism. The chic yet modest architecture of the resort bears witness to a great passion and concern for preservation of nature and unification with its environment. Interestingly, most of the substance used in its construction are recyclable and blend perfectly with the natural surroundings of the premises. For instance, discarded railway sleepers have been put to good use in the construction of decks, walls and furniture at the resort, while the rough, hewn granite lend a simple and rustic elegance to the floors of each chalet.

The custom made furniture at the resort is evidence of the expert skills of the artisans in the locality and is made from widely available timber found in the area, ensuring minimum dent on the environment. The ‘Illuk’ straw gracing the thatched roofs and the interior of the villas not only maintain the cool temperature but also adds a truly Sri Lankan look and feel to the resort.

Staying true to its pledge towards eco friendly tourism, the resort has arranged golf buggies for the guests to wander about within the 98 acres of its compound. The buggies operate on battery power, resulting in zero emissions and minimal sound pollution.

Luxury and comfort guaranteed

The resort is made up of several beautifully crafted chalets romantically tucked within the leveled landscape of the plantation. There is ample space left in between the chalets making it ideal for a quiet holiday of pure relaxation, be it for honeymooners or even for families. Each Chalet opens up to scenic views of the misty mountains and is equipped with all modern amenities that ensure a luxurious, comfortable stay.

Each of the Deluxe rooms has its own private living area and grants mystique views of the Ella Gap and the Small Adam’s Peak hill. The private balcony areas are ideal for the guests to linger in for hours gazing at the mesmerizing views. The rooms are adorned with beautiful timber floors that soothe the soles and are furnished with hand crafted masterpieces.

The bathroom floors display a brilliant finish in rubble stone and include a traditional stone shower and an oversized bathtub for an appeasing dip for hours. The unique wash basin and tap made of stone is sure to amaze the guests with a simple yet authentic experience. The Standard rooms are bright and cheery, offering an equally comfortable ambiance for the guests and are complete with laminated wooden floors that add an element of sophistication to the total experience.

Amidst other facilities is the elegantly designed pool overlooking the blue mountain peaks, with a deck made of cut stones; where the guests could take peaceful dip while their kids could enjoy the safety of the baby pool.

For guests who prefer to fly in, the resort owned helipad offers the convenience of landing just 5 minutes away from the resort and transport would be arranged via golf buggies to transfer the guests to and fro the helipad.

Food for Thought

Dining at 98Acres Resort is yet another mesmerizing experience. Restaurant 98, built on a hillock that overlooks breathtaking scenery, engulfs the guests in a tantalizing dining experience. The guests can select from wide array of flavours that include Sri Lankan, continental as well as far eastern delicacies.

The highly skilled chef puts up an amazing play with the main dishes while the desserts religiously follow suit. Whether its fine dining, cozy dining on comfortable bean bags or a relaxed meal on the “open deck”, Restaurant 98 is sure to meet the desires of the guests while Bar 98 ably compliments the dining experience with a range of beverages on offer.

An exhilarating experience

With its unique location and special design, the 98 Acres resort is a haven for relaxation. With Peace and prosperity dwelling high in the atmosphere, it is the perfect retreat to simply hole-in with a loved one or spend a quiet relaxing holiday with friends and family. The resort gives itself way well to the nature lovers, explorers and even to the ones who love to engorge in books.

Bird lovers and nature enthusiasts will be delighted to observe that 98 Acres Resort provides sanctuary to over 27 percent or 63 species of the resident birds in the country, including 6 precious species endemic to the country.

The resort facilitates a detailed bird watching programme for the bird lovers to explore the surroundings guided by and itinerary prepared by a renowned ornithologist in the country. The resort also provides ample opportunity for hiking and trekking, where, the Little Adam’s Peak is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the area. The resort provides bikes for its guests to trail along the woods within the area and explore the tranquil hillside with ease.

The guests of the 98 Acres Resort are more than welcome to stroll around the plantation and a visit to the resort owned tea factory would also be gladly arranged for the tea lovers who wish to learn more about the legendary tea story. The central location of the 98 Acres resort makes it an ideal spot for travelers to plan their excursions to the many attractions around the area.

The resort stand poised to make travel arrangements for the guests to visit the the Adisham Monastry, Dova Temple or even to explore the waterfalls within the area and are even equipped to arrange helicopter tours for the guests who prefer and aerial view of the picturesque area.

With a passion for hospitality, love for nature and an inherent capacity to deliver amazing experiences, 98 Acres Resort and Spa is an inviting destination that would undoubtedly fascinate today’s trendy travelers whilst providing refuge to the vacationers weary of conventional holidays. The resort promises a rejuvenating holiday experience complete with ultimate pampering and care.