The rooms at Ella Flower Garden Resort come with spacious private balconies, and the view from them is the main reason many guests choose the hotel. The resort stands on Passara Road, at the 3rd Mile Post in Ella, a small town in Sri Lanka’s hill country. From the balconies, guests look out over green hills, valleys and tea country, with the peaks around Ella in the distance. Some rooms face Ella Rock, and guests have called that view extraordinary.
The location is close to the centre of Ella. Ella Town, with its cafés, shops and restaurants, is within walking distance, so guests can head out for a meal or a coffee on foot. The Nine Arches Bridge, one of the best-known sights in Sri Lanka, is also a short walk away. Little Adam’s Peak, a popular and easy hike, is close as well. Tuk-tuk safaris start near the resort, which makes it simple to book a ride around the area.
The resort offers several room types. These include double, twin and triple rooms, family rooms, chalets and a Deluxe Suite, so couples, friends and families can all find a fit. Rooms have a seating area, a writing table and an attached bathroom with a hair dryer. An iron and ironing board are provided, and the beds are made up with fresh sheets. Free WiFi is available in the public areas. Guests often mention how clean the rooms are, and how well the housekeeping team looks after them.
The name of the resort comes from its gardens, and the flowers are easy to enjoy from the grounds. The setting is green and calm, and the air in the hills is cooler than on the coast. Mornings in the hills can be misty, and early risers get the quietest part of the day. Guests who like to sit outside have plenty of quiet corners, and the balconies work well for a book or a cup of tea.
Meals are served in the on-site restaurant, which offers Sri Lankan and international dishes. Breakfast is a buffet, and the choice is wide. It includes American, Asian, Continental, Italian and full English options, along with halal, vegetarian and vegan dishes. That range suits guests with different tastes and diets. In the evening, the bar and lounge give guests a place to relax with a drink after a day of walking. Guests have described the food as delicious, and many say it is a good way to start or end a day of sightseeing.
The resort has more to offer than a room and a view. A spa and wellness centre is available for guests who want to rest after a long hike, and evening entertainment is also offered. Cycling and hiking are both popular here, and the staff can suggest routes. The team can also help with transport and local activities, which saves time for guests who prefer not to plan every detail. Parking is free for guests who arrive by car.
Staff are a strong point of the resort. Guests regularly describe the team as warm, courteous and helpful, and several have named individual staff members in their praise. Some guests have returned for a third stay, which says a lot about how welcome they feel. Questions about the area, trains or tours are answered with patience and a smile.
Ella gives visitors plenty to do. The Nine Arches Bridge is a tall stone railway bridge set among the trees, and trains cross it several times a day. Many visitors go to watch a train pass, so it helps to ask the front desk for train times. Little Adam’s Peak offers wide views over the Ella Gap and the tea fields, and the climb is gentle enough for most people. Ella Rock is a longer hike, and an early start is best. Ravana Falls, beside the main road south of town, is a wide waterfall that is easy to reach, and the Ravana Cave is nearby. The hills around Ella are also covered in tea plantations, and some tea factories welcome visitors for a short tour and a tasting. Cycling through the villages is another good way to see the countryside at a slower pace.
A day at the resort can follow an easy pattern. Breakfast comes first, with a coffee on the balcony while the light moves over the hills. After that, guests can walk to Little Adam’s Peak in the morning, when the air is cool and the views are clear. Lunch is easy to find in Ella Town, and the afternoon can go to the Nine Arches Bridge or a tea factory. Back at the resort, a rest, a visit to the spa or a quiet hour in the garden fits well before dinner. The evening ends at the restaurant or the bar, with the hills dark beyond the balcony.
A few simple tips help with planning. The hill country is cooler than the coast, so a light jacket is useful, especially in the evening and early morning. Comfortable shoes with a good grip are needed for the hikes, and a light rain jacket is handy, as showers can come at many times of the year. Early starts give the clearest views and the smallest crowds at the main sights, and the front desk can help with timings.
The journey from Katunayake Airport (CMB) to Ella is a long one, so many travellers plan a full day for it. A private taxi or a hired car with a driver is the most direct option, and the hotel staff can help arrange transport. The scenic option is the train. Travellers can go from the airport area to Colombo, then take a train from Colombo Fort or from Kandy towards Ella. The line climbs through the hills and tea country, and it is one of the most popular rail journeys in Sri Lanka. Seats on the best trains fill early, so booking ahead is wise. Buses also run to Ella from Colombo and other towns, and a tuk-tuk can cover the last stretch from the station to the resort.
Check-in starts at 2 pm, and check-out is at 11 am. The reception can help with late arrivals, as check-in stays open until the evening. Pets are not allowed on the property.
The resort suits several kinds of traveller. Couples get a private balcony and a quiet setting. Families can book a family room or a chalet, and the walkable location keeps days simple. Friends travelling together can choose triple rooms or a few rooms side by side. Walkers and cyclists will find the trails and tracks of Ella close at hand, and travellers who want to relax can use the spa and the gardens.
With its balconies, its gardens and its place on the road to the Nine Arches Bridge, Ella Flower Garden Resort makes a comfortable base for a few days in the hills. It suits travellers who want good views, a friendly team and easy access to the best of Ella.
