Here are top boutique resorts and small luxury hotels to consider in Sri Lanka’s tea country (Nuwara Eliya, the central highlands around Nuwara Eliya/Maskeliya/Hatton and nearby Kandyan foothills). I’ve included a short reason to go, typical location, and what each is best for.

1. Ceylon Tea Trails — luxury tea-planters’ bungalows (Hatton / near Nuwara Eliya)

• Why: Five converted planters’ bungalows on a working plantation with butler service, in-room treatments, and strong emphasis on tea-country scenery and tranquility. Ideal for a romantic, slow-paced immersion in plantation life. (supertravelr.com)

2. Heritance Tea Factory — converted tea factory (Hatton / Haputale corridor)

• Why: Striking conversion of an old tea factory with a tea museum, contemporary rooms with dramatic hillside views and elevated “tea factory” character. Great if you want a unique property connected directly to tea-industry history. (thehotelguru.com)

3. Amaya Langdale — boutique plantation hotel (near Nuwara Eliya)

• Why: Small, polished hill-country hotel set within tea/plantation scenery; has a heated hill-view pool and spa — good for comfortable, classic “hill station” stays. (supertravelr.com)

4. The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya — historic boutique hotel (Nuwara Eliya town)

• Why: Iconic Elizabethan-style manor in “Little England” Nuwara Eliya — heritage charm, gardens and easy access to town attractions (useful if you want a historic, atmospheric base). (en.wikipedia.org)

5. Jetwing Warwick Gardens / small manor properties around Nuwara Eliya

• Why: Very small, heritage-style properties (Warwick Gardens noted as an intimate former residence) offering four-poster beds, fireplaces and garden settings — appeals to travellers seeking a cozy, classic hill-country vibe. (thehotelguru.com)

6. Goatfell (and similar boutique villas) — hillside boutique suites (Nuwara Eliya outskirts)

• Why: Upscale small retreats with infinity pools and dramatic tea-valley views — good for couples and honeymooners wanting privacy and views. (Mentioned among boutique picks for Nuwara Eliya). (thehotelguru.com)

7. The Kandy House / The Manor House (Kandy foothills)

• Why: If you want to combine tea-country touring with a stay in the cultural/cooler Kandy region, boutique manor houses like The Kandy House (small, heritage, very private) and The Manor House offer heritage luxury close to tea-growing foothills and cultural sites. Best for combining tea-country scenery with Kandy’s temples and gardens. (en.wikipedia.org)

8. Smaller independent tea-bungalow stays (various estates)

• Why: Numerous family-run tea-bungalows and converted small hotels dotted across the central highlands — excellent if you want to stay on a working estate, meet planters, and have authentic local experiences. Travel guides and hotel lists highlight many such boutique options around Nuwara Eliya and Castlereagh Lake. (supertravelr.com)

Quick booking + trip tips

• Where to base: Nuwara Eliya town for convenience and classic “Little England” atmosphere; Hatton/Maskeliya area for plantation stays and access to Adam’s Peak; Kandy for cultural side trips. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Transportation: Roads in the hills are winding and slower than map distance suggests; hiring a car with driver or arranging hotel transfers is common. Trains (Kandy → Nanu Oya → Nuwara Eliya area) are scenic but slower. (Local travel guidance in guide listings.) (supertravelr.com)
• Best time to go: Hill country is cool year-round; peak visitor months are December–March for clearer skies, and April–September can be pleasant but patchier. (Check current weather/availability before booking.)

If you’d like, I can:

• Narrow this to a top 4 with direct booking links and typical nightly rates for your travel dates, or
• Recommend an itinerary (3–5 days) based on whether you want hiking (Horton Plains/Adam’s Peak), tea-plantation experiences, or a relaxed luxury stay.