Beautiful choices for staying in Sri Lanka’s upcountry depend on the vibe you want (colonial hill-station charm, tea‑plantation luxury, intimate bungalow/planter’s‑house, or eco/trekking base). Below are the most beautiful towns/areas and top types of places to stay there, with one or two standout examples and why they’re special.

1. Nuwara Eliya — colonial hill‑station charm

• Why stay: classic British‑era architecture, gardens, cool climate, easy access to Horton Plains and tea estates. Great for high tea, golf and gardens. (girlonazebra.com)
• Types of places: grand colonial hotels (e.g., The Grand Hotel), intimate historic bungalows and boutique country hotels. (thehotelguru.com)
• Best for: couples, heritage lovers, easy sightseeing base.

2. Tea‑plantation bungalows / luxury tea‑trail stays (around Nuwara Eliya / Hatton / Dickoya)

• Why stay: converted planter bungalows set inside working tea estates — privacy, sweeping tea‑field views, in‑house guides, butler service and walking from the front door into the plantations. Ceylon Tea Trails is a well‑known luxury example. (supertravelr.com)
• Types of places: historic planters’ bungalows (luxury) or smaller family‑run bungalows.
• Best for: luxury, solitude, tea‑estate experience, sunsets over misty valleys.

3. Ella — dramatic mountain vistas & relaxed vibe

• Why stay: breathtaking valley and rock views (Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arches Bridge), great sunset/hiking access and a relaxed café scene. Train rides into/out of Ella are spectacular. (girlonazebra.com)
• Types of places: cliff‑side boutique hotels, villas with panoramic balconies, cozy guesthouses with view rooms.
• Good examples: boutique resorts at the edge of the ravine or hilltop villas that capture the valley panorama. (Search for “Ella boutique view hotels” when booking to see current best picks.) (girlonazebra.com)

4. Haputale / Dambatenne area — dramatic tea‑country ridges & wide views

• Why stay: high ridges with huge panoramic views, cooler air and fewer crowds than Nuwara Eliya; great sunrise/sunset vantage points over layered tea slopes. Heritance Tea Factory and some hilltop lodges are in this region. (thehotelguru.com)
• Types of places: converted factories/plantation hotels, small hilltop hotels and eco‑lodges.
• Best for: photographers, nature‑watchers, quiet stays.

5. Bandarawela & Badulla region — quieter hill‑station living

• Why stay: good base for exploring nearby tea estates, waterfalls and trekking routes; more local feel and fewer tourist crowds.
• Types of places: colonial bungalows, boutique country hotels and family guesthouses.

6. Knuckles Mountain Range / Walpolamulla area — for trekking and nature immersion

• Why stay: remote montane forest scenery, biodiversity, hiking and village stays/camps; perfect if you want an eco‑trekking experience in the upcountry. Walpolamulla and small eco‑lodges/camps operate as entry points into Knuckles. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Types of places: basic eco‑lodges, guided camping and small village homestays.
• Best for: trekking, birding and getting off the beaten track.

Practical tips for choosing where to stay

• If you want iconic colonial atmosphere and easy sightseeing choose Nuwara Eliya (Queen Victoria Park area / The Grand). (girlonazebra.com)
• For a once‑in‑a‑lifetime tea‑plantation luxury experience pick a tea bungalow (Ceylon Tea Trails is one of the classic options). Book well in advance. (supertravelr.com)
• For the best valley panoramas and easy hikes pick Ella (look for rooms with balcony/valley view). (girlonazebra.com)
• For serious trekking, biodiversity and solitude choose Knuckles (expect basic to mid‑range facilities and need for guides). (en.wikipedia.org)
• The central highlands are cool (wraps/jackets recommended, especially mornings/evenings) and many scenic drives/train journeys can be slow — build time into your plans. (en.wikipedia.org)

If you’d like, I can:

• Suggest a short 3–7 day upcountry itinerary (which towns to base in and how many nights), or
• Pull up current top-rated hotels by town (with recent guest‑ratings and price ranges) for the specific dates you’re thinking of.

Which would you prefer?