The Best Cheap Hotels to Book in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

An icon among the heritage hotels of the Sri Lankan highlands, the stone-built Hill Club dates to the 1870s. Yes, despite all the fancy frills, it’s also (whisper) really quite affordable. It’s surrounded by rolling lawns and neatly clipped gardens, on the western edge of town, backed by forest. Indoors, it’s all old-world elegance, with unfussy rooms that go heavy on the wood floors, beamed ceilings and crackling fireplaces. British-inspired menus pack in herbs and vegetables plucked fresh from the garden, and come evening, a smart dress code sets the tone for the refined lounges, billiards room, bar and candle-lit restaurant.

There’s a crisp contemporary style to the interiors at this luxe-for-less address just north of Lake Gregory, with views across tea bushes and the leafy canopies of bird-filled Galway’s Land National Park. Rich-toned rooms have lots of extras, including kettles, coffee kits and floral-themed artwork; go for a corner luxury room or a junior suite for the best panoramas. Sip cocktails in the Galway Pub, or linger over a delightful afternoon tea showcasing local brews.

Chandeliers dangle from the ceilings, fountains tinkle in the gardens and there’s a smart historical feel at this Tudor-inspired mansion dating to 1891. It’s home to some of the finest dining in town, including high teas out on the lawn and north Indian meals at the glassed-in Grand Indian restaurant, which specialises in regional favourites such as dal tadka and kadai paneer. Old-fashioned rooms make the most of original windows and soaring ceilings, and there’s a lovely glass-roofed indoor pool, not to mention outdoor yoga and local-herb-infused spa treatments – all for a fraction of what such luxuries would cost elsewhere.

It’s a 10-minute walk to the Nuwara Eliya racecourse and Victoria Park from this modern-build base, surrounded by hydrangeas, cypresses and pines. Every room has a balcony, desk and coffee-making kit, and the whole place is decorated with colourful cushions, bright artwork and wooden ceilings (as well as the odd chandelier). There’s a cosy, beamed bar for kicking back in, along with a buffet restaurant serving Sri Lankan and international specialities, all set to sprawling views across the hills.

From a go-to small Sri Lankan chain comes this green-roofed, heritage-feel town centre property, just west of Victoria Park. It’s packed with facilities, from a heated indoor pool and a calming spa to a loungey wine bar, a late-night club and a choice of Indian-international restaurants. In the rooms, it’s all about cushy armchairs, wood-carved furnishings and old-world grace; while sweeping wooden ceilings adorn the top-floor suites, lower-tier rooms have French doors and bijou balconies.

Flowers creep all over the exterior of a delightful bungalow-style homestay at the far southeastern end of Lake Gregory, 2km (1.2mi) from central Nuwara Eliya. In the three simple, snug rooms, there are family antiques and colourful fabrics, and each has a private bathroom with hot water. Home-cooked breakfasts kickstart your day, and yoga sessions and Sri Lankan cooking classes can both be arranged, as well as day trips to Hakgala Botanical Gardens, bird-rich Horton Plains National Park and the surrounding tea estates.

With the feel of a mountain lodge, Chez Allen is a charming and popular budget-friendly guesthouse, 3km (2mi) northwest of Victoria Park. From the cosy rooms, bright dining area and flower-dotted balconies, views wander across forested slopes, while wooden floors, colourful fabrics and full-length windows lend a rustic touch. There are home-cooked meals, deck chairs for reading with a Sri Lankan tea, and a rooftop terrace for soaking up the sunset.

At this stylish address, 2.5km (1.5mi) northwest of Victoria Park, horse-racing prints, soul-warming fireplaces and lovely vintage-feel furnishings adorn elegant rooms with stylish balconies. Take a dip in the glassed-framed pool (with views across emerald tea fields), play a few rounds in the billiards room or join a Sri Lankan cooking session, then feast on smartly prepared recipes starring homegrown organic produce. The same local chain has hotels dotted around the Hill Country, including two heritage bungalows in Nuwara Eliya.

A spell here feels more like staying in a smart contemporary home with a boutique edge. The stone-flagged property, on the western edge of Galway’s Land National Park (near the racecourse), has just 10 garden-facing rooms styled with rich woods, open-concrete walls, original artwork and splashes of colour, featuring slippers, bath robes, coffee kits and other perks. Those on the top floor have sloping attic-style wood ceilings, and the family rooms come with a private balcony. In the restaurant, elegant menus combine Sri Lankan and international flavours.