Highgrove Estate by Ishq: Timeless retreat in Sri Lanka’s hill country

Friday, 4 April 2025 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Outdoor 

Living area 


  • A return to elegance in the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya

King suite

Garden suite


 

True luxury is not just about exquisite spaces—it is about a feeling of belonging. This is the essence of Ishq Luxury Villas, a growing collection of Sri Lanka’s most exclusive private residences. Inspired by the Sufi concept of Ishq, meaning ‘Divine Love,’ the brand is built on the philosophy that the finest hospitality is deeply personal, effortlessly refined, and woven into the fabric of a place.

From Ishq Colombo, a sanctuary of quiet sophistication in the heart of the city, to Ishq Talpe, an oceanfront retreat where contemporary design meets tropical serenity, each villa in the collection offers a distinct sense of place. Writer’s Lodge by Ishq, set within the historic walls of Galle Fort, brings a quiet intimacy to Sri Lanka’s most storied coastal enclave. 

Now, Highgrove Estate by Ishq introduces Ishq’s signature warmth to the tea country—an invitation to experience the stillness and beauty of Nuwara Eliya.

Perched amidst the rolling tea fields of Labookellie, Nuwara Eliya, this meticulously restored 19th-century planter’s bungalow offers an experience of quiet grandeur. Once home to Ceylon’s early tea pioneers, today it stands as a sanctuary for those seeking solitude, refinement, and the understated luxury of a bygone era.

Designed for exclusive stays, Highgrove Estate is a world unto itself—where mornings unfold with mist rolling over manicured gardens, afternoons are spent strolling through tea estates, and evenings are best enjoyed fireside with a glass of fine single malt. Three elegantly appointed suites, curated spaces filled with period charm, and the discreet service of a private chef ensure an experience that is both deeply personal and effortlessly luxurious.

Beyond the estate’s gates, Nuwara Eliya awaits. Often referred to as ‘Little England,’ the town’s colonial architecture and cool climate have long drawn travellers seeking a different side of Sri Lanka. Guests can explore the nearby Labookelle Tea Factory, where the island’s famed tea-making process is revealed, or venture further to Horton Plains, where mist-shrouded trails lead to the breathtaking escarpment of World’s End.

Yet it is within Highgrove Estate that time slows. The art of quiet living takes precedence, whether through a leisurely breakfast on the sun terrace, an afternoon spent with a book in the drawing room, or the simple pleasure of watching the rain drift over the hills. Here, luxury is not about extravagance, but about space, stillness, and the beauty of an unhurried life. For travellers drawn to Sri Lanka’s legendary hill country, Highgrove Estate is more than a retreat—it is a return to a time when life moved with grace, where every moment is framed by nature’s quiet spectacle. 

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