Great choice — Sri Lanka’s upcountry (the “hill country” around Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Haputale and Bandarawela) is one of the most scenic parts of the island: misty tea estates, cool climate, waterfalls and dramatic viewpoints. Below are the most beautiful and characterful places to stay in the upcountry, grouped by area, with a short note on why each is special.

Nuwara Eliya & nearby (the “Little England” / tea country)

• Heritance Tea Factory (Kandapola / Nuwara Eliya area) — A striking conversion of an old tea factory with panoramic tea-estate views, tea experiences (pluckings / tea museum), colonial atmosphere and modern comforts. Excellent for scenery and a genuine tea‑country feel. (heritancehotels.com)
• Ceylon Tea Trails (Bandarawela / Hatton area) — five restored planters’ bungalows (private‑bungalow style) set across a large tea estate; superb for slow, luxurious stays, guided tea/plantation walks, private service and classic colonial charm. Ideal if you want to wake up in a plantation bungalow. (resplendentceylon.com)
• Amaya Langdale / Jetwing Warwick Gardens / boutique bungalows — Nuwara Eliya has several small, character hotels and country houses (four‑poster beds, gardens, heritage interiors) that give very English‑country‑house vibes and great garden/park access. (Good choices for town access + gardens.) (thehotelguru.com)

Ella / Ella Gap / Haputale (dramatic cliffs, panoramic gaps)

• 98 Acres Resort & Spa (Ella) — a boutique eco‑style resort set on a working tea estate with thatched chalets overlooking the Ella Gap. Perfect for dramatic vistas (sunrise/sunset), nature walks and a peaceful, intimate retreat. (kuoni.co.uk)
• Haputale / Adisham Hall area — for historic hill‑house charm and wide views (Adisham is a distinctive old country house/monastery nearby). Haputale’s ridges give spectacular, quieter vistas compared with busier Ella. (en.wikipedia.org)

Kandy & nearby (cultural centre + hills)

• The Kandy House / small manor houses — restored Kandyan manor houses turned into intimate boutique hotels with classic architecture, gardens and refined service; great base for culture (Temple of the Tooth) while still feeling like a country house. (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Manor House / boutique walauwas — for those who want heritage architecture, quiet lawns and proximity to Kandy’s attractions. (en.wikipedia.org)

Bandarawela / Ohiya / Horton Plains (treks, World's End, quieter)

• Plantation bungalows around Bandarawela / Ohiya — simple to luxurious bungalows close to Horton Plains (World’s End) and Adam’s Peak trails; excellent for hikers and birders who want early‑morning treks and cool mountain air. (Tea Trails covers this style at the highest end.) (resplendentceylon.com)

Why pick these:

• Authentic hill‑country settings: tea gardens, colonial planters’ bungalows, converted factories and small manor hotels give atmosphere you won’t get in coastal resorts. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Nature on the doorstep: trails, viewpoints (Ella Gap, Horton Plains), and plantation walks make waking up worth it. (resort98acres.com)

Quick practical tips

• Book ahead for the popular boutique properties (they’re small and fill quickly, especially Dec–Mar).
• Weather: hill country is much cooler than the coast (pack layers and a light waterproof).
• Travel time: roads are winding — expect slower journeys between towns; the train between Kandy and Ella (via Nuwara Eliya region) is scenic but needs advance seat planning.
• If you want both culture and scenery, split nights: e.g., 2–3 nights Kandy, 2–3 nights Nuwara Eliya/Tea Trails, 2 nights Ella/Haputale.

If you’d like, I can:

• suggest an upcountry 7‑day itinerary that links 2–3 of these stays; or
• check availability and current prices for specific properties and travel dates (I’ll search live). Which would you prefer?