Rangala House is a low key tea plantation bungalow of great value and charming character. If, like us, you love a tranquil setting, stunning views and an opportunity to walk some lovely hills and tea plantations of Sri Lanka, then this is definitely worth the one-hour drive from Kandy. We spent many relaxed hours sitting on the long terrace enjoying the views, catching glimpses of the wildlife and just unwinding in the cool hill climate. Having a roaring log fire during the cooler times of year must be a delight, but for us the most pleasant surprise was the swimming pool – it’s a great size, beautifully bedded into the gardens and so refreshing after a hot walk. Anthony, Rangala House’s owner, lives just around the corner and can be on hand if need be – we do recommend you invite him over as he’s a fabulous host and a mine of information on the area. He can really give a good insight into the local culture and is also pretty handy on the piano. Anthony has a wonderful team around him and the kitchen produces some fabulous food – you really will need those walks to burn off the calories. More homestay than villa but very charming and enjoyable.

The only downside to this mountainous location is that there are no restaurants or shops nearby, but this, conversely, is also the beauty of it! With this in mind, it’s perhaps best to book in for half-board, or even full-board if you don’t intend to do much travelling - it’s definitely the best food you’ll find anywhere for miles!

On our follow-up visit to Rangala, the chef excelled again and we enjoyed a fabulous lunch. The house was well maintained and the bedrooms were looking lovely and cosy. This was our first visit to The Studio, built back in 2011, which enjoys complete independence from the main house although it is right next door. We think it works well for friends travelling together or a family unit, although the ladder leading to the upper sleeping area is unsuitable for small children. With its own TV and DVD player (on request), this room is the most private of the four.

If you’re looking for a secluded, stress-free environment then this is the place for you. The Weir House celebrates escapism and from the moment we arrived we felt enveloped by the relaxing ambiance of the location and pampered by the small but able staff team who unobtrusively kept the house in order and prepared the most excellent meals for us. Because, breakfast and a three-course set dinner are included in the rate (as well as unlimited coffee, tea and fruit juice) we felt that it represented good value for money for couples and groups alike; especially since the villa rate varies according to the number of people staying. And lunch is only an extra $5 per person. The house itself is contemporary, minimal and although a little colourless, photographs of the owners and their book collection in the lounge did make it feel like a home. We loved the plunge pool. It might be small but it has a great location in the garden; we enjoyed lounging in the Jacuzzi whilst meditating over the mountain views which were at their best at sunset. Although the house doesn’t have internet (this is a place to get away from the world anyway), it does have satellite TV, a good music system, a DVD player and a few board games. There’s a children’s play area on a lower lawn and benches in hidden spots in the garden for reading and relaxing away from everyone else. As there are a lot of steps and slopes we don’t recommend The Weir House for the elderly or disabled (for similar reasons the owners do not deem it suitable for children below six years old). The villa has good eco-credentials: waste is recycled; showers are solar-heated; some of the fresh veg comes from its organic garden, and tap water comes from natural mountain springs.