Sometimes the easiest and fastest mode of transport where traffic stops for you to push on through is the train. The journey to Kandy on the Expo Rail takes around 3 hours with the addition of simply amazing picturesque scenery of the mountains and towns changing at every station. With all this passing by I’m sure getting to your destination in a hurry or on time will be not that big of an issue :).
Theme Resorts and Spa took a couple of travel agents for a familiarization tour of the latest property that renowned hotelier Chandra Wickramasinghe has taken under his wings – Mountbatten Bungalows. Getting off at Peradeniya station, the group was led to line of tuk tuks waiting our arrival and to take us to our destination.
Within fifteen to twenty minutes (passing more beautiful sceneries), we came to (what is said to be once a secret war room) Lord Mountbatten’s Bungalow.
The place is a picture of a typical Englishman’s estate and green garden with bright coloured flowers and trees to give shade when you want to be outdoors. Mountbatten is equipped with six colonial rooms that include four-poster beds (taking you back to a 1940 romance), spacious area to lounge and a bathroom definitely made for the lords and ladies.
“The restoration of this bungalow was like bringing an era back to life. At Theme Resorts & Spas our aim is not to sell you a hotel room, but to generate wonderful experiences and memories that will last a lifetime”, Theme Resorts & Spas Chairman/Managing Director Chandra Wickramasinghe stated in a release.
Each room has it’s unique beauty and blend of style with it’s linen and furniture. There are two suites (ideal for a romantic getaway) giving a feel of romance and peacefulness. They open out to a small patio which allows guests to feel the gentle coolness of the Kandy climate while enjoying a fresh cup of tea.
From the rooms we head on down to the garden area where drinks and bites wait for the travelers. Set by the poolside that just gives a picture of nature to stare endlessly into, you wonder how lucky we are to have this amazing country with so much beauty to offer.
Alongside the pool, they are building a two room spa to give pampering and stress relieving facilities to hiking guests and more.
Moving on to the food guests can have a variety of dishes – be it Sri Lankan or Western – the chefs can make it all. And the dining rooms make you feel a bit homely too. The cooler climate of Kandy encourages the lush growth of tea, and this boutique bungalow has two tea gardens that are carefully tended the year around. I believe it’s another success story by Chandra and having something a little closer to Colombo (apart from his properties in Passikudah, Yala and Sigiriya) is great.
History
The property originally belonged to the Mount Pleasant and Hopewell Tea Company. It was purchased by Mr. Cecil T. Rust, proprietary planter, traveler and former chairman of The Times of Ceylon Ltd and subsequently by Mr. Augustus Wiggin. The first local and fourth owner was Noel Servulus Oswald Mendis.
However, this century old residence derived its prestigious name by allegedly functioning as a war office during World War II and is said to have doubled up as one of the private residences of Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma who was a close relative of the British Royal Family.
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