Newburgh Ella has been featured in Telegraph Lifestyle’s Living360 travel article, “The best destinations and escapes around the world to book now,” published on 26 June 2026.
The feature brings together a collection of travel stays and experiences from around the world. Among them, Newburgh Ella is highlighted as a heritage stay in Sri Lanka’s tea hills, giving international readers a closer look at one of Ella’s most distinctive new addresses.
Set inside the restored Newburgh Ella Tea Factory, the hotel offers something rare in Sri Lanka’s hill country. Built in 1903, the former tea factory has been carefully restored by Browns Hotels & Resorts, keeping its industrial character while turning the space into a refined highland stay.
For guests, this means more than staying in a hotel with a scenic view. It is a chance to sleep inside a building that once played a part in Sri Lanka’s tea history.
A Restored Tea Factory Hotel in the Hills of Ella
Newburgh Ella sits along the Ella-Passara Road, surrounded by tea estates, mountain air and views towards the Ella Gap. The original factory structure remains a key part of the guest experience, from its preserved details to its well-known orange chimney.
Inside, the design continues the tea story in a subtle way. The hotel’s 41 rooms and suites are inspired by the language of Ceylon tea, with room categories named after tea grades such as Bronze Tip, Silver Tip and Golden Tip. Each room is designed to offer comfort, calm and views of the surrounding tea country.
The Living360 feature also points to the hotel’s tea-led dining concept, where the region’s heritage is reflected through flavour. At Newburgh Ella, tea is not treated as a small detail. It sits at the centre of the stay, from the setting to the rooms, dining and guest experiences.
A Stay Connected to Ella’s Best Experiences
Part of Newburgh Ella’s appeal is its location. Ella has become one of Sri Lanka’s most loved hill-country towns, known for its cool climate, walking trails, railway landmarks and wide mountain views.
From the hotel, guests can explore some of the best things to do in Ella, including Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Rock, Little Adam’s Peak and the Pekoe Trail. Tea estate and factory visits also give guests a closer look at the region’s working tea culture.
For quieter moments, the hotel offers spaces made for rest after a day outdoors. Guests can spend time at the SKY Observation Deck, enjoy the changing views of the Ella Gap, or visit Ayuwása Spa for a slower part of the day.
This balance is what makes Newburgh Ella stand out. It gives travellers access to Ella’s well-known sights while offering a stay that feels rooted in the town’s tea heritage.
A New Chapter for Sri Lanka’s Tea Country
Newburgh Ella’s inclusion in the Living360 travel selection places Sri Lanka’s hill country alongside a wider list of global escapes. For Browns Hotels & Resorts, it is also a timely moment to share how a century-old tea factory has been given new life as a hotel.
The feature reflects what many travellers now look for in Sri Lanka: places with history, setting and a strong sense of place. Newburgh Ella brings all three together through its restored factory, tea-inspired design and views across one of the island’s most scenic highland regions.
For guests planning a stay in Ella, Newburgh Ella offers a different way to experience the hills. It is a place where tea heritage, mountain views and quiet highland comfort come together in one carefully restored setting.
