Tranquil Villa – A Quiet Escape in the Heart of Ambewela
After two cozy nights in Nuwara Eliya, we escaped to the quiet farmlands of Ambewela for a one-night stay at Tranquil Villa. From warm local food to misty landscapes, here’s how the highlands refreshed us.
After a refreshing one-night stay at Oatlands by Jetwing in Nuwara Eliya, our little family of three continued deeper into Sri Lanka’s misty highlands. Next up: a one-night stay at Tranquil Villa, tucked away in the peaceful farmlands of Ambewela—a region known fosr its rolling hills, dairy farms, and soothing silence.
If you still didn't read the previous artile of this travel series, you can find it from below.
Yasiru Nilan
🚗 A Scenic Route with Strawberry Stops & Tea Breaks
We checked out from Jetwing Oatlands after a full breakfast and hit the road toward Ambewela. The drive itself was a treat—mountains veiled in mist, pine forests on either side, and the cool highland breeze adding a calm rhythm to the journey.
We made our first stop at Simply Strawberries by Jagro, a quaint café known for its strawberry treats and garden ambiance. We enjoyed some light refreshments while taking in the green views.
Though we skipped the New Zealand Farm this time (having explored it on a previous visit), we took a slow scenic drive past Ambewela Station before turning back. A cup of milk tea from the Ambewela Farm coffee shop hit the spot before we continued to Kande Ela Reservoir, a quiet, picturesque spot surrounded by forest and water. We also stopped for a snack—pol rotti with curry—hoping to recreate the magic of a previous visit, though this time, the flavors didn’t quite hit the mark.
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🛏️ Our Stay at Tranquil Villa
Tranquil Villa is a cozy, six-room property perched in the Ambewela highlands. We had originally booked an upstairs room with a reservoir view, but due to availability, were offered a ground-floor room instead. While it lacked the sweeping view, it was spacious, clean, and could easily accommodate 3–4 people. Given the positive reviews—and a recommendation from a friend—we decided to keep the booking, and we’re glad we did.
The property felt quiet and peaceful, surrounded by farmlands. Our baby enjoyed the open space and evening walk we took just outside the villa. The fresh air and pastoral charm of Ambewela set a soothing tone for the day.
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🍛 Meals with a View (and a Few Surprises)
Though we booked our stay with breakfast included, we ended up enjoying several meals at the villa. Since we hadn’t had a full lunch that day, we ordered a chicken fried rice to share—it came in a generous portion and was very reasonable for the price. We dined in the restaurant area on the first floor, which offered a beautiful view of the Kande Ela Reservoir. The dining space also had a cozy lounge area with sofas and a TV, perfect for relaxing.
Later in the evening, we ordered sandwiches with fries to our room—handy with the baby, though the taste was average. With no nearby restaurants, we opted to have dinner at the hotel again: a creamy pasta and soup, which turned out to be filling and satisfying.
That night, we requested a room heater since temperatures dipped significantly. While it came with an extra charge, it made the night much more comfortable.
🍳 A Hearty Highlands Breakfast
The next morning, we were told breakfast would be served buffet-style, likely because the villa was fully booked. The spread was delightful: rice, bread, string hoppers, dhal curry, chicken curry, fish curry, eggs, pol sambol, and the standout—devilled dried fish (bedum), which was spicy, flavorful, and stole the show.
It was easily one of the best breakfasts we had on this trip—generous, local, and full of flavor. After a final bit of lounging and packing, we checked out and set our sights on our next destination: Kent Cottage at Little England Cottages, Nuwara Eliya.
🍽️ Craving mountain-view dining and hearty local food? Discover stays with scenic restaurants here
🧳 Final Thoughts
Our stay at Tranquil Villa was quiet, comfortable, and exactly what we needed after two busy days in Nuwara Eliya. The staff were kind, the food exceeded expectations, and the overall vibe was just that—tranquil.
While we missed having a room with a view, the ground floor space was still more than enough for our little family. This spot is ideal for couples or families who want to experience Ambewela’s slower pace, farm-side surroundings, and scenic views without sacrificing comfort.
✅ Want to explore Ambewela’s countryside charm? Find peaceful villa stays surrounded by nature here
Next up: Kent Cottage, where we dive back into the heart of Nuwara Eliya’s “Little England.”
Stay tuned for Part 3 of our hill country escape!