Sri Lanka

Review: Ella Trail Luxury Villa, Sri Lanka

words: Sophie Alexander-Osman
photography: Sophie Alexander-Osman
published: May 7, 2026

Set above the town, Ella Trail Luxury Villa is a modern haven within the dense greenery of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. You arrive on a higher road and are met by tuk tuk for the final descent, as the lanes down to the property are too narrow and steep for any other vehicle.

The building is sharp and modern, all glass and concrete, designed so the view dominates every space inside, with terraces and openings that break the structure into levels. From the outside it feels stark against the landscape, but inside it is warm and cosy, opening fully to the view, with one side left completely open so air moves straight through from morning to night. Below, the railway line runs directly beneath the villa, part of the Kandy to Ella route. The blue train passes several times a day, slow enough to follow as it moves across the hillside.

Mornings sit low in the valley, with mist settling into the trees and holding there for hours. The property stays quiet apart from birds and the occasional train, and although the town is close, it feels visually cut off by the surrounding hills. Still less than a year old, the villa feels new in its finishes, with everything clean and recently put in place. The atmosphere is quiet and informal, with the landscape doing most of the work.

The Rooms

The rooms are large, closer to apartments than hotel bedrooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows run the width of the space, opening onto full-length balconies that look directly across the valley.

Beds face the hills. From here, the landscape sits in layers, with mist moving through it early in the day. The railway line sits directly below, and the train passes as part of the daily rhythm.

Each room includes a separate seating area, tea and coffee station, bottled water and fresh fruit on arrival. The design is modern, kept deliberately simple so the focus stays outside.

Hangout Spaces

Communal areas are open and spread across the terrace and indoor-outdoor lounge facing the valley. Bean bags, low seating and reading corners sit beside a koi fish pond, a chess board and books, with photographs placed throughout the property.

The restaurant sits at the centre of the space, open to the hills on one side. There are no closed-off zones, just continuous sightlines across the landscape.

Dining

Food is cooked fresh in the open kitchen by local Sri Lankan staff. Breakfast begins with fruit, followed by coconut pancakes, then a cooked plate of eggs, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms and zucchini, with bread, watermelon juice and coffee served alongside.

Lunch and dinner stay rooted in Sri Lankan cooking, with curries and Kottu Roti, alongside a small selection of simple international dishes. Everything is made to order and served without formality.

Nearby Highlights

From the property, a path leads directly down to the railway line, where you can follow the tracks towards Ella Railway Station and into the centre of Ella. Little Adam's Peak is a short hike away via a clear, well-marked trail that leads to one of the most accessible viewpoints in the area.

Nine Arches Bridge is just a short tuk tuk ride from the villa, known for its stone viaduct and scheduled train crossings throughout the day. For something more demanding, Ella Rock rises above the valley, reached via a steady climb through tea plantations and forest before opening out onto wide views across the highlands.