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Sunnyside Lodge was built for our personal use and having really enjoyed spending our family vacations, we thought that it was best we share the joy of family with others! Hence, it is available for you to enjoy your family vacation!
Hidden away from noise and traffic and surrounded by a lush Tea plantation, fruit trees and a very natural habitat, the cool and calm natural environment at Sunnyside is only for those who would like the peace and solitude that would help a family to spend quality time together. Our objective is to help you discover how you can enjoy an effective, positive and rewarding vacation and really be together as a family at Sunnyside Lodge!.
At 'Our Nature Home on the Range', we have tried to provide you with a variety of tools to support your family vacation, inclu...Sunnyside Lodge was built for our personal use and having really enjoyed spending our family vacations, we thought that it was best we share the joy of family with others! Hence, it is available for you to enjoy your family vacation!
Hidden away from noise and traffic and surrounded by a lush Tea plantation, fruit trees and a very natural habitat, the cool and calm natural environment at Sunnyside is only for those who would like the peace and solitude that would help a family to spend quality time together. Our objective is to help you discover how you can enjoy an effective, positive and rewarding vacation and really be together as a family at Sunnyside Lodge!.
At 'Our Nature Home on the Range', we have tried to provide you with a variety of tools to support your family vacation, including different physical activities to keep your body and mind interested. There are also many activities around the Lodge such as nature trails, water falls, tea plantations etc, where you can easily access by walking or riding (oh yes, we do have bicycles for you too!)
House Rules
Pets not allowedKid friendlyNo smoking
We accomodate a maximum of 6 guests and this includes children.
We stayed over New Year in May. On arrival everything looked great but we were put off by a really huge cockroach, the smell others have mentioned (we noticed when we went out that the house is directly opposite a massive open rubbish dump!) and the fact that the very friendly housekeeper charged us an extortionate sum for taking us to the nine arch bridge. Our fault (we didn't argue when perhaps we should have and of course we should have agreed the price first) but 1500 was just ridiculous. When we asked he also said he couldn't provide breakfast the next day as it was New Year. As almost everywhere was shut I would have appreciated knowing that beforehand so I could have made other arrangements. All in all (except for the awful smell) it looked pretty and wasn't terrible but I certainly would not recommend it.
Visited April 2019
Written May 15, 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
We appreciate your response, we regret very much on the pricing for the tour, this is not something we manage and we will take note of this immediately. As for the cockroach, we have immediately taken steps to fumigate the bungalow and we apologize for this. We have also appealed to the government authorities over and over again about the rubbish dump, that is actually affecting the entire city.
Written May 16, 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amanda A
Colombo, Sri Lanka2 contributions
Scenic and Serene
I have had the pleasure of staying at the Sunnyside Lodge twice now, and both visits have been absolutely brilliant!
It's such a quiet and homely atmosphere, with the lodge located just outside the hustle-and-bustle of Ella town. It's honestly such a scenic environment, with beautiful views of the surrounding tea plantations that face the entire front of the lodge.
I mean there even a tennis court on the property, that we certainly made use of, to help pass the time and casually spark some friendly competition amongst our group.
Therefore, if you are looking for a place to stay in Ella, without any hesitation, I highly recommend that you choose to stay at the Sunnyside Lodge.
Visited December 2018
Written February 11, 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
We thank you for your decision to return to the SunnySide Lodge, you have many choices and we value your patronage. If we can be of a blessing to you, that means so much to us! Thank you for taking the time to give us this feedback, we sincerely appreciate it!
Written February 13, 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gdesilva
64 contributions
Good location
This is a nice little bungalow tucked away from the busy main road. The rooms are rather small in size and the third bedroom is a bit dark even during the day time as a passage way is built just outside the room blocking sun light. Main bathroom is also rather small.
The caretaker/host is a very pleasant guy and was very helpful in attending to our needs.
Overall, if the premises is maintained a bit better it would enhance the appeal of this property significantly.
Visited December 2018
Written January 8, 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
Dear sir, your feedback is deeply appreciated and thank you. Kind regards.
Written January 9, 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Urlich_NZ
Wellington, New Zealand26 contributions
A relaxed oasis close to town
Relaxing villa, set in beautiful grounds away from the main road and impeccably maintained. A short 5 minute walk into the centre, less than 10 mins to Ella train station. You go through a small tunnel (19 steps exactly) with one way traffic, so is safe to walk through.
Tennis courts are available to enjoy, the bird life and scenery is beautiful.
You are able to use the kitchen and laundry yourself, which is a bonus for families.
Everything in the house is clean and well maintained, we absolutely loved our stay here.
Visited December 2018
Written January 1, 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
Thank you for choosing to spend your family vacation with us, we truly appreciate your kind feedback!
Written January 2, 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Passenger657312
1 contribution
Muy bonito
La ubicacion no es la ideal, pero el servicio y estancia compensan todo.
La comida y el comedor ideal
Visited August 2018
Written August 28, 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrew C
Leeds, United Kingdom3 contributions
Tranquillity just 5 mins from Ella
Sunnyside Lodge is perfectly located 5-10 mins walk from the centre of Ella and the railway station (or 2 mins in a tuk tuk).
It's situated amongst the tea plantations meaning it's very quiet and your stay will be undisturbed.
The accommodation is really well maintained with comfy sofas and beds as well as a separate room for breakfast and dinner if required.
Keerthi (the caretaker) is very helpful and provided us with breakfast each morning ($6 per person). With a range of fruits, scrambled eggs, sausages, mushrooms tomatoes, toast as well as tea and coffee, it set us up for the day ahead. We also had dinner prepared by Keerthi on one night ($8 per person) which was curry, rice, dhal, potatoes which was really good.
He also took us to the waterfalls in his tuk tuk and was prepared to wait for us while we looked around. He was available to hire to take us anywhere in the surrounding area.
From Sunnyside Lodge we walked to Little Adams Peak (20 mins) and the 9 arches bridge which is a further 10 minutes away however a tuk tuk ride would get you there cheaply in around 5 mins.
I'd love to return to Ella and would certainly stay at Sunnyside Lodge again.
Visited August 2018
Written August 22, 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
Dear valued guest Andrew and family, it truly was a pleasure to serve you! Thank you for your decision to spend your family vacation with us at the SunnySide Lodge in Ella! We look forward to serving you in the future!
Written August 23, 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
519hirana
3 contributions
Beautiful location, amiable caretaker, but some issues
The Sunnyside lodge is beautifully located bordering a tea estate with gorgeous views of the estate and valleys, right off the main road to Ella, just 10 minutes walking distance from Ella town. The booking was easy, communication with the owner was great, and once we arrived we were very well taken care of by the on site caretaker. The house is very comfortable in its accommodations, with three bedrooms, easily accommodating six adults. The caretaker will cook the food for you, at about US $6 per person for breakfast, and $8 for adults. It's basic Sri Lankan food, so the price is a bit high for what you get when you consider you can eat lot cheaper in town. But for the sake of convenience, it is totally worth it for us.
My one main complaint about the house is the awful sewage smell in both toilets. My guess is that the septic tank is backed up and the toilets smelled like a backed up toilet masked by air freshner. My wife was literally gagging trying to use it, as did some other guests. We arrived late one evening and did not spend much time in the toilet, and did not really notice much until the next afternoon. We did not make a big issue of it at the time, as we were leaving after two nights. But had I had a longer booking I would have cancelled it. This should be inquired about prior to any other bookings. This is something the onsite caretaker should have addressed with the owner, who I believe lives out of the country.
The other complaint I had is that the house was advertised with a children's play area and a tennis court, both of which played a part in our reserving the house. The tennis court had not been cleaned in a long time and had moss growing on it, which made it very slippery and dangerous to play on. The children's play area had rusted out equipment that was unsafe to use. These should be addressed or not offered as a benefit.
That said, if the toilet issue is resolved I highly recommend this house due to its proximity, but even more so because of the attentive care of the caretaker and the absolutely marvelous views, and sounds and views of birds in the morning. The caretaker was very attentive, made delicious food and a great cup of tea.
Visited June 2018
Written July 17, 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
Dear Valued Guest, we regret this situation and have taken immediate steps to understand the issues and have it resolved. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Sincerely, Anjelo
Written August 21, 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Heather R
Melbourne, Australia24 contributions
Tranquil and scenic hideaway
Sunnyside was the perfect accommodation for our two families. The kids had a great time running around and the adults enjoyed the beautiful setting amongst the tea plantations and lush vegetation. Sitting out on the front area, relaxing and having some time out from our busy travels, we were able to recharge and enjoy the amazing scenery.
The lodge is the perfect location and is far enough away from the hustle of town but not too far if you want to wander in.
Our caretaker was lovely and cooked us a tasty breakfast and dinner. If you want a meal out for lunch or dinner, we highly recommend Matey Hut which is only 300m away at the top of the town. Fabulous curries and roti.
Visited April 2018
Written April 7, 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
We thank you for your decision to to spend your family vacation at SunnySide Lodge! You and your family have blessed us!
Written April 10, 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adam C
Queenstown, New Zealand58 contributions
Beautiful lodge in a beautiful setting
The lodge is slightly out of town, but within easy walking distance. The lodge itself is beautiful and spacious, lots of polished wood and different places for people to park themselves to eat, play or just sit quietly reading a book away from others.
One of the bedrooms has an ensuite, the other two rooms share a bathroom. Water pressure and heat was good as was the Wifi.
The porch overlooks the tea plantation and is very peaceful for a morning cup of tea or coffee. Some of us played tennis on the court (racquets and balls provided) and bicycles were available although we didn't use them.
The caretaker was wonderful, responding to all of our requests promptly and with a smile. We asked him to cook for us on our last evening and had one of the best meals we've had in Sri Lanka. He was also available to run us into town or pick up supplies in his own trishaw.
All in all, a lovely place to stay.
Visited January 2018
Written January 26, 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
Thank you Sir, we value your comments, its such a blessing to us!
Written January 27, 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kevin B
14 contributions
Quiet spot minutes away from bustling town
Ella has become a hotspot of tourist activity, but this full home (plus garden, playground, and view of tea-covered hills) is just minutes away from the action. The property's caretaker is incredibly helpful and hospitable, cooking meals and offering tuk-tuk rides around town. For a family or group I'd definitely recommend this place over a traditional hotel or guest house.
Visited December 2017
Written January 14, 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nirosh
Thank you for your review Mr. Kevin, we appreciate tote honest delivers expressed!
Written January 15, 2018. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ella is a beautiful small sleepy town on the southern edge of Sri Lankas Hill Country. It's situated in the middle of beautiful countryside, with small vegetable plots in the valleys, tea plantations on the hill slopes and forests on the tops.
The climate throughout most of the year is typical of the high Hill Country, with a hot sun by midday (low 20 deg), but a moderate air temperature. It will often rain in the afternoon, but only for an hour or so. A sweatshirt, or light jacket is needed at night. In December it can rain a lot and the temperature can be close to 16 degrees.
There is not much to do in Ella itself, with a handful of small shops and only a few restaurants. It's basically a nicely relaxing base for exploring.
Getting around
Ella has a small post office and one bank (Bank of Ceylon) with an ATM.
Things to do around Ella: Kinnellan Tea Factory - 5-minute walk * Little Adams Peak - 15-minute drive *Rawana Waterfalls - 15-minute drive * Bandarawela Town - 20-minute drive * Horton Plains and Worlds end - 1.30hr drive * Hakkgala Botanical Gardens - 1.30hr drive * Nuwara Eliya (Little England) - 2hr drive * Yala National Park - 2 hr. drive * Katharagama - 2hr drive
Access
Car advised
How to get there
By Train - Take the train to Badulla from Colombo, Kandy or Nanu Oya. Ella has a railway station which is a three stations after Bandarawela. The Sunnyside Lodge is just 400 meters from the Ella Railway station.
By Road - Drive from Colombo or Kandy towards Bandarawela, take the Badulla road and turn towards Wellawaya from the Kumbalwela junction which is about 5km from Bandarawela town. Drive uphill for about 2 km's and as you see the signboard for Ella, the driveway into Sunnyside Lodge is by the Ella sign to your left.
Activities nearby
Tennis court
Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 2 PM • Check out by 12 PM
Cancellation policy
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
100% refund* if you cancel at least 2 weeks before check-in
No refund available once booking is confirmed
Notes from owner
We have a fixed rate of USD 120.00 per night for the complete Lodge until 31st December 2023 for a maximum of Six guests. This price includes Breakfast.
About this property
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