Not many people consider staying in this peaceful town just south of Ella, which has helped to preserve its sleepy, more rural charm. Though it may not be as lively as other Hill Country hubs, it’s an accessible portal into nature, where life feels more laidback and local. Soak up the sunrise from Lipton’s Seat, stroll through the seemingly endless surrounding tea fields, hike to the top of Diyaluma Waterfall and explore Adisham Bungalow, a Tudor-style manor and Catholic Monastery. It’s also conveniently placed for getting to or from Udawalawe National Park and the South Coast.

If you are up for a bit of adventure, Ella is within an hour’s drive, or you can hop on the train at the historic Haputale station to take in more countryside views from the famous blue carriages. The Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka’s first long-distance hiking trail, also runs through Haputale, with a few manageable sections that make for some truly spectacular day hikes. But you’d be forgiven for wanting to spend the whole day drinking in the view from your hotel with a pot of tea. While you can always do more, this is the perfect place to experience the Hill Country in a slower, more mindful way.