Great choice — Sri Lanka’s tea country has some of the most atmospheric villas, bungalows and small resorts on the island. Below are top picks (by region), why they’re special, and practical tips for visiting. I’ve linked official pages or reputable listings for each pick.

Top villas / planter’s bungalows on tea estates

• Ceylon Tea Trails (collection of five restored planters’ bungalows) — Hatton / central highlands. Restored colonial bungalows on working tea estates with private-butler service, gardens, walking/biking trails and classic “planter’s bungalow” atmosphere. Ideal if you want historic luxury in small-group accommodation. (resplendentceylon.com)
• Thotalagala (Thotalagala Plantation House) — Haputale (near Lipton’s Seat). A beautifully restored 19th‑century planter’s bungalow with themed suites, infinity pool and easy access to Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne factory. Great for history, sweeping views and immersive tea‑estate experiences. (thotalagala.com)
• 98 Acres Resort & Spa — Ella / Bandarawela. A chic boutique resort of chalets set on a 98‑acre tea estate; contemporary design with great walks, views and proximity to Ella’s attractions (Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak). Good for stylish but nature‑focused stays. (resort98acres.com)
• Heritance Tea Factory — Nuwara Eliya. A unique hotel converted from an old tea factory set in the Pekoe Trail; offers tea‑factory tours, high tea and panoramic hill‑country views — good if you want a mix of heritage and larger‑hotel facilities. (heritancehotels.com)
• Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge — Knuckles / Kandy region. Eco‑lodge on a working tea plantation overlooking the Knuckles Range — excellent for wildlife/trekking plus a quiet tea‑estate setting. (madulkelle.com)
• Stafford Bungalow (Stafford) — Nuwara Eliya outskirts / Ragala. Intimate family-owned planter’s bungalow set in a working 50‑acre tea estate — a classic small bungalow experience. (booking.com)
• Watawala Tea Plantation Bungalow — southern hill country. Family-owned historic bungalow (1870s) on a tea estate — atmospheric, private and traditional. Good for authentic planter’s‑house stays. (watawalateaplantationbungalow.com)
• Kahanda Kanda (KK Collection) — Koggala / Galle (south coast, tea‑fringed estate). Not in the central highlands but set among tea bushes and gardens; offers standalone villas (some with private pools) with artful interiors — good if you want villas with tea views plus beach/town access. (kkcollection.com)
• Private Villa by the Tea Estate / smaller private villas — Nuwara Eliya area. If you want total privacy, there are small private villas available right inside the tea fields (good for couples/families). Check direct-book sites for options. (villabytheteaestate.com)

Practical tips

• Regions: For classic hill‑country tea estate villas focus on Nuwara Eliya, Hatton, Haputale/Lipton’s Seat, Ella and Bandarawela; for a different feel (tea fringes + south coast) consider Kahanda Kanda near Galle. (See property pages above.) (resplendentceylon.com)
• Getting there: The central highlands are reached by road from Colombo (4–6 hr drive depending on destination) or by the scenic hill‑country trains (Kandy ↔ Nuwara Eliya/Ella sections are among Sri Lanka’s most scenic train journeys). If you plan the Kandy–Nuwara Eliya–Ella train route, allow several hours and book seats in advance for peak season. (epicsrilankaholidays.com)
• Best time to visit: Weather varies regionally (Sri Lanka has different monsoon seasons). Broadly, February–March is often a good all‑round window; the hill country can be cooler and wetter at times — check seasonal forecasts for specific dates before booking. (thetimes.co.uk)
• How long to stay: 2–4 nights at a tea‑estate villa lets you relax, take estate walks, join tea‑factory/tea‑tasting activities and do one or two local excursions (Lipton’s Seat, Horton Plains, tea‑factory tours, short hikes). See each property’s “experiences” or activities page for included options. (heritancehotels.com)
• Booking tips: Many estate bungalows are small (few suites) and sell out in high season — book early and confirm transfers (most estates offer airport or train‑station pickups). Ask whether meals, high tea and estate activities (plucking, factory tours, guided walks) are included. (resplendentceylon.com)
• What to pack: layers (evenings are cool in the highlands), a waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection and an adapter. High altitude nights can be chilly even when daytime is warm.

If you want, I can:

• Narrow these to only luxury or only private‑villa options; or
• Build a 7‑ to 10‑day hill‑country itinerary that includes one or two of these villas plus travel legs (train vs private car) and suggested activities.

Which would you prefer?