“An imposing Nuwara Eliya landmark with smart rooms and suites offering verdant garden views and private balconies. Shared spaces include a cosy bar with crackling fireplace, historic billiards room, library and wood-panelled restaurant. An atmospheric base for golfers, hikers and heritage buffs.”
“An imposing Nuwara Eliya landmark with smart rooms and suites offering verdant garden views and private balconies. Shared spaces include a cosy bar with crackling fireplace, historic billiards room, library and wood-panelled restaurant. An atmospheric base for golfers, hikers and heritage buffs.”
Hotel Review
Set at the far end of town, Jetwing St Andrew's blue-painted façade hides a fascinating history. Built in 1875, this Georgian-style hotel has hosted a vast array of intriguing guests — including politicians and cricketing legends — and has retained much of its quirky original charm. Expect quaint, traditional interiors with leather armchairs set around an imposing fireplace, a dark wood-panelled restaurant and creaky corridors hung with old-school artwork. Rooms feature blue or green wallpaper, bright armchairs and floral cushions, and most have small balconies overlooking the well-tended gardens. Guest rooms are spacious if a little tired. Larger suites are a great choice for romantic couples.
Expansive buffet breakfasts of fresh fruit, eggs, curries, waffles and stacks of pastries set guests up for big days of hiking, cycling or golf, whilst à la carte dinners are followed by late evening chats with a glass of wine by the fire. The Sri Lankan curries of locally grown vegetables with roti or string hoppers are particularly good. Request the special tea menu for fragant afternoon teas on the terrace — a must when you're in one of the world's most famous tea-producing regions.
The friendly team are eager to set up for a game of billiards on one of the oldest tables on the island, or to craft cocktails at the Road Hole Bar, both of which are very atmospheric. Families are welcome, but most guests are couples or groups of friends travelling together — many are keen golfers. A quiet, old-fashioned base for visitors curious to delve into Nuwara Eliya's history.
Written by Saskia Walker
Recommended For
- Golf
- The Nuwara Eliya Gold Club is within walking distance and welcomes visiting players; some holes are within sight of the hotel
- Trekking
- Hike a portion the Pekoe Trail, which winds its way through the gorgeous tea-clad hills to end in Nuwara Eliya
- Active Holiday
- Well-located for playing golf, exploring Nuwara Eliya and hiking or cycling through the surrounding hills
- Romantic Break
- Cosy guestrooms, crackling fireplaces and good cocktails make this a romantic hill country base
- Hotel Entertainment
- Book the hotel's historic billiard room to play a game or two before dinner; the table dates back to the British era
- Great walks
- Take a stroll through the nearby Hakgala Botanical Gardens or speak to the hotel team about a guided frog walk
- Museums
- Heritance Tea Factory's museum and tea tour offer a fascinating insight into the area's history
- Riding
- Cycling
- Birdwatching
- Mountain biking
- Restaurant
- Expect big buffet breakfasts and Western, Indian and Sri Lankan à la carte dinners
- Historic
- Built in the style of a Georgian mansion, the hotel dates back to 1875
- Rooms with balcony/terrace
- Colonial
- Sit-out Terrace
- Full of character
- Good wine list
- Disabled access
- Hills & mountains
- Spa
- Grand Hotel
- Landmark
- Antiques
- Child friendly
- Views
- Traditional
- Charming
- Luxury
- Four poster beds
- Romantic
Facilities
- Library
- The bookshelves include modern novels, classics and fascinating historic tomes from the hotel's own archives
- Restaurant
- Expect big buffet breakfasts and Western, Indian and Sri Lankan à la carte dinners
- Games room
- The billiards room houses an impressive table, dating back 117+ years
- Garden
- Manicured gardens feature bright flowers and unusually shaped hedges
- No pets
- Wifi
- Safe
- Parking
- Bar
- Fireplace
- Rooms with balcony/terrace
- Walking distance restaurants
- Outdoor dining
- Meeting Room
- Cots available
- Laundry
- Bicycle hire
- Billiard/pool table
- Good wine list
- Sit-out Terrace
- Disabled access
- Spa
- Child friendly
- Sitting Room
- Room service
- Views
- Suites
- Concierge
- Satellite / Cable TV
- Four poster beds
Activities
- Golf
- The Nuwara Eliya Gold Club is within walking distance and welcomes visiting players; some holes are within sight of the hotel
- Trekking
- Hike a portion the Pekoe Trail, which winds its way through the gorgeous tea-clad hills to end in Nuwara Eliya
- Hotel Entertainment
- Book the hotel's historic billiard room to play a game or two before dinner; the table dates back to the British era
- Great walks
- Take a stroll through the nearby Hakgala Botanical Gardens or speak to the hotel team about a guided frog walk
- Museums
- Heritance Tea Factory's museum and tea tour offer a fascinating insight into the area's history
- Riding
- Cycling
- Birdwatching
- Mountain biking
Map & Location
