POOL & GARDEN

Wake up to cheerful bird songs from countless species of birds - Barbets, Orioles, Parrots, Woodpeckers, Doves, Drongos and Flycatchers as they greet the dawn that washes over Horathapola in soft, golden hues. The vast, immaculately manicured garden extends into the plantation, where pepper, cashew, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemongrass and many more tropical herbs and spices are grown organically. Neatly planted rows of organic coconut, cashew, jackfruit, soursop, tamarind, mango, and guava flourish on the estate, while our very own rice paddy skirts the periphery.

An early morning walk along the maze of trails that run across the estate is a great way to begin your day at Horathapola or just to immerse in the beautiful greenery that much of rural Sri Lanka is comprised of. You could even ‘pluck’ your own fruit platter for breakfast!

On warm days (and Sri Lanka has no shortage of those!), our salt-water pool is an ideal refuge. Find a shady alcove under the trees and curl up with a book, or just take it easy and have a nap outdoors. For a bit more indulgence, pop open a bottle of bubbly and hop into the Jacuzzi!

We’ve found that the long gap between lunch and dinner can be irksome for foodies. So, in true colonial style, afternoon tea is a celebrated event at Horathapola. From homemade cheesecake with a pot of organic tea, to a chilled brew to go with our our signature ‘cheese-toast’, our kitchen takes meals seriously. In fact, those morning walks would be essential considering what our chef has in store for you!