Ella is loud now. If you haven't been to Sri Lanka in the last five years, the change is jarring. What used to be a sleepy backpacker village defined by the mist rolling over the tea bushes has transformed into a neon-lit hub of cafes and hostels. Yet, perched on a ridge just outside the chaos, 98 Acres Resort and Spa remains the gold standard for anyone who actually wants to see the scenery without a bass drop in the background. It is a strange, beautiful place built almost entirely out of recycled materials.
Most people come here for the view. They aren't wrong.
When you stand on the balcony of one of the premium chalets, the Ella Gap opens up like a giant green lung. It’s intimidating. You’re looking straight at Little Adam’s Peak and the Ravana Falls in the distance. But there’s a nuance to this hotel that most travelers miss because they’re too busy taking photos for Instagram. It’s about the engineering.
The architecture of a tea estate
The Umapathy family, who owns the surrounding 98-acre tea estate (hence the name), didn't just clear-cut the land to drop a concrete block. That’s why it feels different. They used discarded railway sleepers for the decks. The walls are made of straw and mud. If you look closely at the roofing, it’s "Illuk" grass, which gives the whole place this organic, breathing quality. It’s luxury, sure, but it’s tactile and rough-edged in a way that feels honest to the Central Highlands.
It’s steep. Really steep.
If you have knee issues, you’re going to be relying on the fleet of customized golf buggies that zip up and down the hillsides. They’re basically the lifeblood of the property. You’ll see them whirring around at 6:00 AM, carrying hikers toward the trailhead of Little Adam’s Peak, which is essentially the hotel's backyard.
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What most people get wrong about 98 Acres Resort and Spa
There is a common misconception that this is a secluded honeymoon retreat where you’ll never see another soul. Honestly? Not quite. Because of its fame and its proximity to the Flying Ravana Mega Zipline (which the same family owns), the area around the base of the hotel can get busy. You’ll hear the occasional scream of a tourist flying through the air at 80 kilometers per hour.
However, the cleverness of the layout means that once you are in your room, the sound dissipates. The rooms are tiered.
- Standard rooms are fine, but they lack the "wow" factor.
- The Honeymoon Deluxe rooms come with those iconic plunge pools that overlook the valley.
- The Grand Deluxe rooms are arguably the best value for space and elevation.
The real secret? Ask for a room on the higher tiers. The lower ones are closer to the path where day-trippers walk up to Little Adam’s Peak. If you want that "end of the world" feeling, you need to be at the top of the ridge.
The logistics of the Ella Gap
Getting there is half the battle. Most guests arrive via the famous blue train from Kandy or Nanu Oya. It’s a magical journey, but by the time you hit Ella station, you’ll be dusty and tired. The resort is a quick 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from the station.
Let's talk about the food at Restaurant 98. It’s an open-air pavilion. The breeze is constant. They do a traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry that actually respects the local spice levels, which is rare for a high-end resort. Usually, hotels "white-wash" the heat out of the food. Here, the pol sambol actually has a kick. You should try the tea-infused cocktails too. They grow the ingredients right outside your door, so it’s about as "farm-to-table" as you can get without sounding like a hipster cliche.
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword here
In a region where "eco-friendly" is often used to justify a lack of air conditioning, 98 Acres Resort and Spa actually put in the work. The stones used in the walls were hand-hewn from the site itself during construction. They didn't truck in massive amounts of external materials.
The resort operates with a heavy focus on the local community. Almost the entire staff comes from the Ella region. You can feel it in the service—it’s not that polished, robotic "five-star" vibe you get in Dubai or London. It’s warm, slightly informal, and genuinely proud. They know every inch of those tea trails.
Things to do that aren't sitting in a pool
- The Nine Arch Bridge walk: Don't take a tuk-tuk. Walk through the woods from the hotel. It takes about 20-30 minutes. You’ll come out above the bridge, which is a much better vantage point for photos than the crowded tracks below.
- Tea Factory Tour: You’re on a working plantation. Go see how the Pekoe is graded. It’s loud, smells incredible, and explains why the tea in your room tastes so much better than the stuff at home.
- Ravana Pool Club: If you want a party vibe, this is nearby. It’s owned by the same group. It’s got an infinity pool, DJs, and daybeds. It’s the "Canggu-fication" of Ella, for better or worse.
The cost of the view
Is it expensive? For Sri Lanka, yes. You are paying for the location. There are dozens of guesthouses in Ella for $30 a night that have "good" views, but they don't have the 270-degree unobstructed panorama of the Gap.
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The weather is a factor. Ella is moody. One minute it’s bright sunshine, the next you’re inside a cloud. That’s part of the charm. Watching a thunderstorm roll through the Gap from the safety of a thatched-roof chalet is probably one of the most cinematic experiences you can have in South Asia.
Expert Tips for your stay
- Booking window: You need to book at least 4-6 months in advance for peak season (December to March). This place is almost always at 100% occupancy.
- The Spa: It’s located in a separate building. The treatments use tea-based products. Try the "98 Bliss" treatment after you’ve hiked Ella Rock; your calves will thank you.
- Leeches: If you’re hiking the estate after rain, they exist. Don't freak out. Just bring some salt or tobacco water.
Making the most of the Highlands
While 98 Acres Resort and Spa is the destination, don't ignore the town of Ella itself. Walk down for dinner at least once. Cafe Chill is the classic choice, but there are smaller spots popping up that do incredible kottu roti.
The balance of the resort is its greatest strength. It sits right on the edge of the wild wilderness and the growing tourism infrastructure. It’s a place where you can spend $400 a night on a room and then walk five minutes to buy a 50-cent corn on the cob from a roadside vendor. That contrast is what makes Sri Lanka special.
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Actionable insights for travelers
If you’re planning a trip, here is how to handle the logistics properly:
- Transport: Arrange a private transfer from Colombo if you're short on time (approx. 5-6 hours), but take the train back toward Peradeniya to get the full experience.
- Timing: Aim for the "shoulder" months of April or September. The weather is generally stable, and the crowds at the Nine Arch Bridge are much thinner.
- Packing: Bring a light fleece. Even if it’s 30°C in Colombo, Ella drops to 15°C at night.
- Room Choice: If you can’t swing the Honeymoon Suite, the Premium Deluxe is the "sweet spot" for price and view quality.
The reality is that Ella is changing fast. More hotels are being built every month, and the quietude is getting harder to find. Staying at 98 Acres is essentially buying a front-row seat to the landscape that made people fall in love with this town in the first place, back before the ziplines and the bars arrived. It remains a benchmark for how to build a luxury property that actually belongs in its environment rather than just sitting on top of it.