Mirissa Hills Hotel

Overview

Mirissa Hills Hotel is located a few minutes from beautiful Weligama Bay, commanding extensive views of the Ruhunu landscape – Sri Lanka’s “deep south”.

This Luxury Hotel is a working cinnamon estate. Which has been restored in recent years by its current owner to produce cinnamon of the highest grade. Within the estate there are three sets of accommodation to let, each of which provides a relaxing and pampered stay.

At the base of the hill is an immaculately restored old estate house, or walauwa, The Bungalow at Mirissa Hills. Set amidst a well-kept lawn and indigenous trees, The Bungalow is a true retreat in the countryside.

Half-way up the hill is the Cinnamon Museum and Visitors’ Centre, which has four charming rooms allowing guests literally to live within the world’s only museum dedicated to the history and uses of cinnamon.

And, at the top, with extensive 360° views over Mirissa and Weligama, is Mount Cinnamon, a luxurious contemporary house dramatically set above the landscape, representing the very best of Sri Lankan art and design.

Mount Cinnamon is a luxury villa situated at the summit of the plantation, with extensive 360° views to sea over Weligama Bay and also in-land to the Denipitiya Hills. From sunrise to sunset it captures the changing light and moods of the landscape.

The house has been designed by C. Anjalendran, one of Sri Lanka's foremost living architects, and is a pure and elegant essay in the island's vernacular. It is designed for the tropical climate: to be very comfortable, but without ostentation or alien touches. Floating like a "fortress in the sky" it commands the site but is also very respectful of its surroundings.

There are three double bedrooms and one single bedroom that can sleep two. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and have fans. The beds are dressed with specially-woven "cinnamon" fabric. They are both cool and serene. Each has en suite showers and toilets.

There are three sitting areas: on the long sea-facing terrace outside; an interior, informal area ideal for pre-dinner drinks; and a comfy drawing room.

A magnificent sculpted screen divides the drawing room from the dining room, which at night is always candle-lit. Outside, there is a breakfast terrace which can, of course, be used at any time of the day.

The house has an extra kitchen which you can use should you wish to experiment with local produce, knock up something simple or prepare food for the baby. Within the courtyard a swimming pool provides a refreshing way to begin or end the day.

Each property is lettable separately, or, for large groups, can be rented together or in combination.

The in-land backwaters along the Polwatte Ganga can also be explored by boat-ideal for bird watchers or sightseers alike. There you regularly see egrets, bee eaters, fish eagles - as well as monitor lizards and crocodiles.

For exploration of the countryside, bicycles are available. A bit further afield, the Dutch colonial towns of Galle and Matara afford the chance to browse amidst the historic buildings on foot. The nearby sea turtle hatcheries are also well worth a visit.

Expeditions to the amazing Sinharaja Rainforest can be arranged. Both Yala and Udawalawe national wildlife parks are also within striking distance.

Mirissa Hills is one of members of the "Serendib Triangle" - a combination of three plantations which aim to give visitors a unique insight into Sri Lankan life. Our sister plantation, the Handunugoda Tea Factory, is a lowland tea estate where visitors receive a guided tour and unique tasting experience. South Charley Mount is a coconut plantation, where a "coconut trail" is offered.