The hotel is immaculate and clearly a lot of money has been spent on design. The room was spacious with stunning views, the best pillows we have had on our 3 week tour. Breakfast was lovely too. I do not regret our stay BUT want to be realistic to help the hotel improve/for others expectations. The road to the hotel is rough and steep, our driver really struggled and we usually walked up to him. The rooms are not soundproof as the door opens to a balcony overlooking the car park, dogs fighting and tuk tuks dropping off guests are common sounds into the night. The doors have big gaps and this allows mosquitoes inside, which is a problem as I am allergic. I had to fill the gap with tissues (it’s 1cm wide the whole middle width of the door - all doors, not just ours). We had looked forward to the yoga, but never heard back when we asked about it so we are not sure if it happens or not. Also for such a luxury property, menus are printed on printer paper - no list of ingredients for cocktails, and being handed such tatty pieces of paper at the bar and for breakfast really lets down the image of the hotel. The staff are clearly lovely but we struggled - my massage booking was not made, request for items at breakfast never arrived, and no service out by the pool meaning we had to come in to ask for drinks and towels. Finally, please help the street dogs. Westerners love animals and it is upsetting to hear them fighting all night. Just a few tweaks and this would be 10/10 hotel.

One to gate-keep — a true hidden gem in Ella! This hotel is truly amazing. The views are absolutely breathtaking, and the architecture and interior design are beautifully thought through, creating a space that feels both stylish and in harmony with the surroundings. The rooms are clean, contemporary, and very comfortable, and the food offers a fresh take on traditional dishes. What really makes the stay special is the staff — they are incredibly friendly, attentive, and always ready to help. Although the hotel is just a short 5-minute tuk-tuk drive from the centre of Ella, it feels peacefully tucked away in nature. It’s the perfect spot if you want to enjoy the stunning scenery of Sri Lanka while still being conveniently close to the town. A beautiful and relaxing place to stay that I would highly recommend.

Our stay at Te Dalu was exceptional. We loved that the hotel was located a little outside of Ella proper, which allowed for connection with the beautiful environment and scenery while still being convenient to the amenities of the main town. Our room faced the hillside and had a wonderful view of the temple on the hill, and in the morning with opening the balcony doors allowed us to listen to chants and the sounds of birds and monkeys while waking up. The hotel itself has lovely, large rooms and is immaculately clean. The pool and lobby area are open air and so inviting. The highlight was the hotel staff, who are friendly and attentive without being overbearing. We were treated with such kindness and accommodation from everyone. They helped us arrange some of the remaining details of our trip, like follow-on transportation, which was seamless and stress-free. We highly recommend Te Dalu!