All off-/season prices according interviews from February 2015. Many guesthouses offer free pickup service from Haputale Busstand and Railway Station (guests only). Just call some hours or a day in advance to arrange it. Book your room as early as possible during high seasons in April, August & December. Make sure to cancel your booking incase of any problem. There might be other guests looking for rooms. Please send me (E. Oliver) your feedback about your time in Haputale.

Most accomodations provide free welcome drink, towel, soap, toilet paper, extra blanket, boiled drinking water, candle, iron box, laundry drying place, first aid box, local call (area 057), doctor call, taxi call, reservation call, library, newspaper, magazine, tourist information and tour arrangement by own or local driver and guide. Short and long distance tours are available in Day-Packages or per km. There are plenty of vans and 3wheelers at the Haputale main junction. More information in my Taxi-page.

Take care of touts! Use the special email hotline for complains. Details at the end of this page.

1. Olympus Plaza Hotel

No 75, Welimada Road, 6°45'58.23"N - 80°57'8.26"E
Reservation.: +94-(0)57-2268544 - Hotel Line: 057-2268543 - Head Office: +94-11-2829354 Fax: +94-11-2829355
Web: www.olympusplazahotel.com - Email: inquiry@olympusplazahotel.com - olympusplaza@gmail.com

Following prices for Upper Wing and Southern View with B&B, Half Board and Full Board.
Single: 43-87$, Double: 53-141$, Twin (2 beds): 56-144$, Triple: 60-192$ (+extra charges)
Breakfast: 12$ - Lunch: 18$ - Dinner: 20$ - Meals for children: up to 12 years 50% only.

Recommended by Sri Lanka Tourist Board - Explore Sri Lanka - Lonely Planet - Loose
Managing Director: Chandrani Samayadasa

Facilities & Services
30 self contained Standard, Double and Family Rooms, with en-suite bath, Hot & Cold water, TV, Telephone, Heaters etc; 16 rooms are with private balconies overlooking Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces. All Rooms are with Hot & Cold running water, Shaver Sockets 110V-230V, Telephone, Sat-TV, Room Service, Mini Bar, Wardrobe, Heating systems & Fans.

Olympus Plaza Hotel, A soul searching experience built on a hillock surrounded by lush green mountains grazed with tea plantations, the serenity, the ambiance, the enchantment, a true setting just for you. Olympus Plaza Hotel sits majestically over a mountain in the Haputale Town 189 km from the Capital City Colombo. One wing overlooking the Southern Eastern parts of the central mountains and plains, while the other wing overlooks "SLEEPING WARRIOR" mountain range and the world famous "FOX HILL" (Now also used for motor racing). On a clear day one would glimpse the sea. Come unwind and experience soul soothing luxury at a resort in a class of its own. Hideaway in the hills, among the puddles of mist. Olympus Plaza Hotel offers a relaxed and calm environment where one could simply forget the rest of the world .......

The Olympus Terrace Restaurant – an ideal place to watch the Famous Haputale gap and the "SLEEPING WARRIOR" mountain range or simply gaze over empty space taking you on a dreamful joyride. At night, savor a sumptuous BBQ under the stars with the icy cold winds blowing across the plains.

The Olympus Reception - is available to arrange an excursion to many of the interesting places in & around Haputale such as “Lipton Seat” the “Adisham Monastery" or the former "Lipton Tea" Factory in Dambatenne. Nearby are Samimale Rock Temple and Surungamuni Kovil overlooking Dambatenne Estate, Haputale and Uva province with amazing bird-eye views. Visit the waterfalls of Diyaluma, Bambarakanda, Duhinda, Baker Fall, St. Clair and Ravana. Have a day tour to Horton Plains, World´s End, Budurulagala, Doha Temple and Bogoda Bridge. If you still want to be more adventurous, rent one of our mountain bikes or just take a hike with our guidance.

Erechtheum Restaurant – serves Western, Continental, Eastern and Oriental cuisine with a seating capacity for 64 guests. Experience our Rice & Curry for Lunch served alongside a wide range of fresh vegetables and country rice. Fresh fish, beef, chicken, pork, seasonal fruits and salad, ice-cream and cake will be served to our guest. Delicious curd and finest honey are available by order. Selective A la’ Carte Menu provides you with a range of garden & farm fresh food accompanied by a multitude of thirst quenches. And every Sunday we have a special buffet. Take away parcels, snacks and sandwiches can be arranged for your tours. Opening time: 24 hours.

Dionysus Bar – an ideal setting overlooking the provinces of Sabaragamuwa & Southern. Take time and sip a tall, long Cocktail or simply choose from our variety of sparkling Wines & Spirits. Stay cool while enjoying a game of Snooker/Pool or just try your talents with our Widescreen Karaoke Theatre System. The Plasma TV with Multi-Satellite Channels will offer you optima in entertainment. 50 guests will find comfortable places here with a natural stone wall bar and all around panorama windows. Opening time: 6:30 AM-10:30 PM.
The Olympus Gym – A cross trainer gives you the chance to stay trim even though you are out of home.

Olympus Plaza Hotel is located on the Welimada road (the road heading to "Adisham" bungalow), Haputale. One could leave from the Capital City Colombo on A4 High Level road passing Avissawella, Ratnapura, Balangoda, Belihul Oya, Beragala and come to Haputale (189 km) which can be made within 4 hours drive or people could approach from Nuwara Eliya via Welimada road to Haputale (45 km) in 2 hours. An arrival by train from Colombo, Kandy, Hatton, Nanu Oya or Badulla passing plenty of tunnels, mountains and breath-taking environment will be an unforgettable experience for your family.

Our well trained, polite and friendly employees will offer you best and most comfortable services for all your needs and wishes. Boiled drinking water, blankets, towels, soap, toilet paper, doctor call, taxi call, luggage room, lockbox, transport to cricket ground and pickup service from train and bus are free of charge. We have two comfortable computers with Suntel internet connection in our lounge. Internet service by your own laptop can be provided too by the phone in your room. A generator warranted all time current. Our responsible and professional house laundry and ironing service will be done within 3 hours. We have also a library with books, magazines and daily newspapers. Check out time is 12:00 noon.

2. Sri Lak View Holiday Inn

A. W. Athur Sirisena Mawatha, 6°46'4.00"N - 80°57'37.85"E
Tel.: +94-(0)57-2268125, Mobil: +94-(0)724400082, Fax: +94-(0)57-2268337
Email: srilakv@yahoo.com Web: www.srilakviewholidayinn.com

Single: 1.500 Rs. - double: 2.500 Rs. - Triple: 3.500 - Family (4/5): 4.250/5.000 Rs.
Drivers room (on request): Free room and local meals.
Breakfast: 325+ Rs. - Veg. Lunch/Dinner: 375+ Rs. - Takeaway: 230 Rs. - Service Charge: +10 % (updated 03.2015)

Recommended by Lonely Planet -Loose - Reise Know-How - Tripadvisor - Rough Guide

This is one of well known guesthouses in Haputale town. It has 27 rooms. Close to the center, placed on the southern ridge with best and unimpeded views over the lowlands of the island. Tissamaharama, the coastline (70 km), Udawalawe Nationalpark and the lopes around to Sherwood and Beragala. It belongs to Sampath Lamahewa. A new 3-floor building is nearby the main building. Both buildings are surrounded by lot of trees, bushes, vegetable garden and colourful flowers. Sri Lak View Holiday Inn has beautiful wooden teak and tuna furnitures like beds, dressing tables, chairs, racks, doors, couches, windows and stairs. They have several sitting areas are in the main hall, restaurant, down floor and outside in the green garden. A solid balcony goes around the main building. Checkout time is 10:30 AM.

The Sri Lak View Holiday Inn has 15 double rooms, 10 triple rooms and 2 family rooms with four and five beds. All rooms have comfortable bathrooms with solar heated hot water. A triple room with a large rock inside has a mini bar. A heater costs 1.000 Rs per night. All rooms have TV. Some rooms have privat balcony, other rooms solid have balcony, terrace or garden.

12 hours laundry & ironing service. 30-50 Rs./pcs. Lockbox and luggage room can be arranged at the reception. Local & international calls (IDD) by list. Free PC use and WIFI. In the main hall and reception is place for 18 guests. There is a TV, an aquarium and a collection of magazines, books and newspapers. A common fridge is in the hall. Another hall downstairs is surrounded by doors and windows to the garden. A children park with swings, slides, rackets, carussel and climbing tower is opposite the main entrance. Games like carom, chess and playing cards are available. There are two parking lots for 15 cars. Tours with non-/AC vans can be aranged at the reception. Guide service 1.500 Rs./day. Bike rent on request.

The comfortable restaurant with panorama windows and buffet has enough place for 42 guests. Western, eastern, chinese and local food is available. You can have an oriental breakfast as well as a big choice of vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries with rice. They have also snacks, sandwiches, soups, curd & honey, ice-creams, yoghurt, soft drinks, fruit-juices, beer and alcohol. Also all kind of meat like chicken, beaf, fish and pork. Much more delicious things you will find in the menue card. A special buffet can be arranged for groups of minimum 15 people. Opening time is from 7:00 AM-9:30 PM. You can rent the building for private ceremonies with up to 250 guests.

Location: Go from the railroad to the main junction, turn right to the petrol station and follow the road behind. After a right turn you will find our guesthouse in the left corner of a ground. A shortcut are the steps behind the 3-wheeler park. Coming from Colombo Road follow the signs on the road. Turn right at the Wellimada bus stand (before people´s Bank), follow the road some meters and turn up right. Walking distance to bus stand 300 m, railway station 400 m. Call for free pickup service.

3. t`En Zal (=it shall)
79 A, Welimada Temple Road, 6°45'58.23"N - 80°57'8.26"E
Tel: +94-(0)57-226 8012 - Mobil: +94-777 586 584
Web: www.haputale.wix.com/tenzal - Email: haputale@live.com

Single/Double B&B: 100 € - Lunch/Dinner 3 course 10 €/each p.P. - (no extra charges)

4. The Mist Holiday Bungalow
Welimada Road (near COOP-office/Assembley of God Church) 6°46'00.5"N - 80°57'23.2"E
Tel.: +94-(0)57 226 8788, (0)57 357 3636 Mobil: -(0)77 77 66 032 - Manager: Mr. Barnes
Email: info@themistholiday.lk - Web: www.themistholiday.lk - (updated 03.2015)
Deluxe B&B - Single: 3.000 Rs. - Double: 4.500 Rs. - Triple: 6.000 Rs. - Family: 6.500 Rs.
Common bath B&B: 2.500 Rs. - Double: 3.500 Rs. - Triple: 3.500 Rs. - Family: 6.500 Rs.
Bunker beds B&B: 1.900 Rs. Lunch - Dinner: 350-400 Rs. - Takeaway: 300 Rs. (+10%)

5. Holiday Bungalow Haputale
Welimada Road, 500 m from town, opp. Petrol Company
Mobil: +94(0)72 633 3341, (0)77 362 0496, (0)71 221 1653
Web: www.haputalebungalow.com
Bungalow (max. 17 guests): 15.000 Rs. - Meals by order - (updated 08.2015)

6. Royal Top Rest Inn & Restaurant
22, Station Road, 6°46'7.29"N - 80°57'29.77"E
Tel.: +94-(0)57 226 8178 Mobile: +94-(0)71 275 7460 - (updated 03.2015)
Email: royaltophaputhale@gmail.com - Manager: Tharaka Obeysekara
Single (com/att): 1.200/1.500 Rs. - Double: 1.600/1.800 Rs. - Triple: 2.000/3.000 Rs. - Family: 3.500 Rs.
Breakfast: 300 Rs. - lunch/dinner: 350+ Rs. - Take Away parcel: 200 Rs. - Service charge: + 10%

7. New Resthouse Haputale
Badulla Road, 1 km north from main junction, 6°46'31.73"N - 80°57'46.79"E
Tel.: +94-(0)57-226 8099, +94-(0)45-222 2299, Fax.: +94-(0)45-223 0020
Managing Director: Kirthi Almeda (0)71 222 2299 Manager: Dharmapade (0)77 791 5892
Email: info@resthouse.com - Web: www.resthouse.com
Single/Double: 2.500 Rs+ Triple/Family: 3.500+ Rs. Service charge: +10 %.
Breakfast: 350-400 Rs. - Lunch: 325-475 Rs. - Dinner/Takeaway: 350-750 Rs. (updated 03.2015)

8. Adisham St. Beneddict's Monastery
Welimada Road, N6°46.406 - E80°55.848
Tel.: +94-(0)57-2268030 - Email: adisham@hotmail.com - Web: www.adisham.org
Full Board: 2.500 Rs./pers. - Booking per email only! (updated 02.2015)

9. Highcliffe Hotel, Restaurant & Bar
15, Station Road. 6°46'6.64"N - 80°57'34.18"E
Tel.: +94-(0)57- 226 8096, (0)57-226 8125 - Mobil: +94-(0)72 272 2533
Web: www.highcliffhaputale.com
Double: 2.500 Rs. - Triple: 3.500 Rs. (updated 03.2015)

10. Kelburne Mountain View Cottages
Dambetanne Road (2 km), 6°45'39.87"N - 80°58'4.11"E
Tel./Fax. Colombo: +94-(0)11-2573382/253
Aerie Rs.16,000 - Wild Flower Rs.17,000 - Rose Rs.14,000 (+VAT+NBT)

11. Tea Plantation Bungalow Thotulagalla
Dambetanne Road (4 km), 6°46'17.69"N - 80°58'51.76"E
Thotulagalla Temple Road, turn clockwise inside the forest.
approx. 27.000 Rs Bungalow (+extra charges).

12. Shangrilla Tea Haven
Colombo Road ( 3.6 km), 6°45'34.55"N - 80°56'16.24"E
Tel.: +94-(0)57-2268568, Hotline: (0)773241395 - (updated 03.2015)
Single/Double: 3.200 Rs. - Triple/Family: 3.600 Rs. - Group (8) 5.400 Rs.
Breakfast: 360+ Rs. - Lunch/Dinner: Menue Card - Service Charge: 10%

13. Clouds Holiday Bungalow Haputale
64, Lily Avenue, above Monamaya Bungalow (1,9 km)
Mobil: +94-76 683 2683 (Dayani) - Email: reservation@clouds.lk
Bungalow: 12.500 Rs/dbl./B&B (+extra charges/updated 08.2015).

14. Haputale Holiday Home
70, Lily Avenue, above Monamaya Bungalow turn right (2 km)
Mobil: +94-71 618 0067 (N. Asela) - Email:
Bungalow double: 125 € - B&B: 139 € (updated 08.2015).

15. Holiday Bungalow in Haputale
Welimada Road (4 km)
Tel: +94-(0)11-79 11 835 - Mobil: (0)72 481 3979, (0)77 712 0847
Email: rolandholidaybungalows@hotmail.com - Roshan Perera
Bungalow max. 12 pax. 13.000 Rs. (+extra charges/updated 08.2015).

16. Sherwood Bungalow

Blackwood

1. Blackwood Hotel
Colombo Road, Blackwood, Haputale (6 km)
Tel: +94-(057)-567 9678 - Mobil: (0)77 074 6947, (0)71 478 5034
Web: www.blackwood.lk - Director: Kalin Rathuwaduge
Single/Double: 3.500 Rs. - Triple/Family: 4.500 Rs. - Triple: 6.000 Rs. -
Bungalow (12 p.): 17.000 Rs. - Driver: free - (updated 03.2015)

2. Haputale Cottage
Blackwood Estate, upper Blackwood, Colombo Rd.,
Thotulagalla Temple Road, turn clockwise inside the forest
Email: info@srilankaholidaybungalows.com
Bungalow: 6.500 Rs (+extra charges/updated 08.2015).

3 . Melheim Resort
Lower Blackwood, Beragala, A4 road near 188-km-post, drive down 250 m (last update 2012)
Tel Hotel: +94 (0)57-5675969 Reservations: +94 (0)71 269 6568
Email: info@melheimresort.com - Web: www.melheimresort.com

Viharagala

1. Viharagala Bungalow (Lower Viharagala/A4)
Bungalow: 50.000 Rs. (max. 16 pax-5 rooms/updated 08.2015)

2. Romance Valley, Viharagala
Tel. +94-(0)11 279 1863, +94-(0)71 471 2304
Email: info@romancevalley.com - Web: www.romancevalley.com
Villa with Pool: 177 €/B&B - (update 08.2015)

Haldumulla

1. Green Valley Cottages
A4, km-post 178/179, Colombo Road, Haldumulla - 46°45'56.26"N, 80°53'27.95"E.
Mobile: +94 (0)779975051 - Web: greenvalleycottages.com
Free pickup from Haputale, Beragala and Haldumulla bus and train stations.
Dormitory: 700 Rs. - Single: 1.500 Rs. - Mudhouse: 1.500 Rs. - Double: 1.500-2.500 Rs. - Triple: 3.000 Rs.
Family: 5.000 Rs. (max. 6 pers.) - Bungalow (3 rooms): 10.000 Rs. - (uptate 02.2014)
Breakfast/Lunch: 400 Rs. - Dinner: 500 Rs. - Take Away parcel: 300-400 Rs. - Service charge + 10%

2. World's End Lodge
4 km upwards from km post 175 (A4)
Hotel: +94-(0)57-567 6977, (0)11 790 0319, Reservation:(0)11 420 3015, Mobil: (0)72 848 1472, (0)71 273 0015
Email: welodge@sltnet.lk - Homepage: www.lanka.hotel.com - (updated 03.2015)

3. Oakwell Holiday Bungalow
Koswatta, Haldumulla, Beragala
Email: jayasirid8@yahoo.com - web: www.villas.com


Ohiya - Udaveriya (Horton Plains)

1 . Misty Mountain Lodge & Trekking Guide Club
Ohiya, Udaveriya valley, on famous Horton Plains-Bambarakanda Trek
6 rooms for trekking groups, living & dining hall, green & flower garden, awesome views
Tel: +94-(0)57-222 7303, (0)57 561 9772 Mobil: (0)77 764 6243, (0)72 764 6243
Email: deen395@sltnet.lk - Web: www.srilankatrekkingclub.com - B. M. Mohideen - (updated 03.2015)

B. Thanks for 2015 donations

Thanks for February 2015 donations from Awinco Rest Inn, Anushka Holiday Resort, Eagle Best Inn, Bel View, Dayanthi Summit Resort, ABC, Amarasinghe Guesthouse, Bawa Guesthouse, Leisure Mount View Holiday Inn, White Home, Sri Lak View Holiday Inn, White Monkey Dias Rest.

This donation has been used for a muslim student of Tamil Central College Haputale. At 27. November 2014 her home got a hit by a landslide. She left her room just seconds before it got totally destroyed. Lot of her belongings and school needs got destroyed. From January-July 2014 she has been guest student in Germany.

C. Warning

Any problems or complains about bad touts/drivers/guides/comission? Help us to stop it!
Send the name, photo, vehicle number, date and further details to

Urban Council Chairman Upul Dissanayake ua.disanayake@gmail.com
Urban Council Office in Haputale Station Road, right behind the town hall.

I have read several guestbooks and internet stories about some bad touts (guides & drivers) who are trying to make big money with overprized tea, rooms, comission and tours. Myself I´ve been whitness of some cheats and stopped it whenever possible. I spoke to all guesthouse and some shop owners. Nobody like to pay comission. Everybody like to offer best service to all guests. They asked me to help them. So I do! And you can help them too!

Please make advanced bookings for rooms. Don´t follow touts! Some take up to 100 % comission!!! Most guesthouses offer FREE pickup service from bus and railway station. Some by taxi service, some by local bus. Please arrage your pickup service some hours in advance. Loga´s Internet and Communication Cafe in the Station Road can help you with calls and trustful drivers. A taxi must be paid only if you come for visit but don´t like to stay.

Tuctuc, 3wheeler. A 3wheeler tuctuc costs approx. 0,40-0,50 €/km (0,20-0,25 €/km roundtrip). Lower prices in day time. Higher prices at night. Vans, AC taxies and luxery vehicles have higher prices.

Don´t believe any stories about full, closed, dirty or burned-down guesthouses. It means only that this places don´t like to pay any comissions to guides and drivers. Please call the guesthouses to verify the true situation. It´s also possible that some drivers prefer guesthouses from friends and relatives. I´m in touch with YOU and all guesthouses. Any changes reported to me will be actualized here after check.

All guesthouses have WGS 84-GPS coordinates: Copy them in a map program (e.g. Google Maps), print out a map and find your way by yourself. Some GPS devices and mobile phones have own maps where you can save the coordinates of your interest. So you don´t need to follow any tout to find your way.

Don´t follow guides to buy tea or other needs. Loga´s Website Internet Cafe in the Haputale Station Road has high quality tea and herbal products with reasonable listed prices. Please visit my Internet page. There is also an Ayurvedic herbal shop in the Dambatenne Road. All guesthouse owners have good knowledge about POIs and local prices. Ask them first. Save your money!

On tour: Be always carefully with your valuables (money, passport, camera). Guesthouses are not responsible for any losts.

Be carefully with invitations. Myself I made several trekking tours around Sri Lanka. Most families were friendly and welcoming. They did not espect anything from me. Just friendship, conversation and some photos. If you visit a party, a small gift is welcome. I would recommend a gift in worth of 100-300 Rs only. Leave the place if you think somebody is playing a game with you. You can ask your guesthouse owner or Tourist Police Colombo for help if needed (Tel. 011-2376941).

Beggers ... the unemplyment rate around Haputale is much less than other places in Sri Lanka. Many people work in the estates but salary is less. An estate worker earns 40-80 Euro monthly. Sometimes even not enough to feed a family. If you realy think there is somebody worth to get your help, please ask your guesthouse owner how to verify the true situation. Giving money is easy but knowing the background story makes it much easier to decide if help is realy necessary. This is the way how I did it passed 6 years. Me and friends are supporting www.trainmybrain.de projects around Haputale, mainly schools and students. My good friend W.S.M. Dias from the "White Monkey Dias Rest" in Thotulagalla guesthouse has good knowledge about the local problems.

... and children: Whenever I walk around estates and schools, there are begging children asking for school pen, toffeys and money. Friendly smiling, shining eyes, some words in english but I know: Lot of this children come from good households. Sometimes I stop, speak to the family, just to find out the situation. Some just laugh, some feel shame but no change. It´s still going on, listen the voices of the elders: "A foreigner, go run, ask money, toffey, school pen".

Keep in mind: Giving gifts to begging children is not good. They have to learn in school how to mangage their lifes. Every simple gift, even a 1 rupee toffey, will change a childs mind and character in a wrong way. They learn to beg more and more every day and miss the school education. If children don´t learn to handle their lifes, same mistakes will come to the next generation. Please help us to stop them begging. Don´t give any gifts. E. Oliver (2. March 2012)