The Hill Club

A gorgeous late 1800’s building that has been preserved well. It’s a true depiction of how the club has been run from the early days, however women are allowed in the front door now! I would have love to have seen it in its ‘hay day’. Staff were all extremely friendly and helpful, even lending my husband a jacket, tie and pants so we could dine in the main dining hall and mixed drinks room. We also had one of the best meals on our holiday here. All the produce (except meat) are grown on the grounds and were all beautifully fresh and well cooked. It wasn’t a cheap experience but we’re glad we had it, and was a great find for a last minute booking. Room was very good with a comfy bed and good bathroom. Room view was limited but the building itself more than made up for it.

Staff is very friendly in general Had a tour of the property Location is very quiet Beautiful property Heater in the room

The Hill Club is steeped in colonial history and provided us with a special experience, from playing snooker on one of the full-size tables, to a formal dinner followed by a drink by the log fire all rounded off with hot water bottles at bed-time! The guide-books warn you that you will need to dress up for dinner, but that is not the full story. If you don't have the required jacket and tie, they will help you out. In any event, there is an "informal' bar and 'informal' restaurant with the same offerings and prices. I was very impressed with my set menu dinner, and my wife was happy with her vegetarian a la carte choice. There is a large lawn in front of the hotel surrounded by colourful, manicured, flower-beds. If you are staying at the hotel, the golf course just below is well-worth a visit as well. It was founded around the same time and has its own interesting history. We enjoyed a very good English breakfast there. It is only a 5 minute walk if you enter the grounds via the workshop entrance.

Superlatives pour, as they must for this piece of living history, still a members club for well-heeled Colombo society, set in the lush wooded Highlands of Sri Lanka. For Brits the portraits of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (Churchill props up the bar), borrowable ties and jackets for dinner in the formal dining room, billiard rooms, tea in the reading room browsing Whitakers Almanac from 1956, hot water bottles, sweeping views (and weather) indistinguishable from those from a country house in Shropshire, render the experience surreal. Dinner was a great spread, the Sri Lankan breakfast a must. Stacey provided a warm and professional greeting, ask too for Hasim's short tour of the public areas. All the staff were unfailingly courteous and helpful. Room number 3 was glorious, well appointed and maintained with a large bathroom, all looking over the estate's perfectly groomed parkland.

This is a beautiful example of style and luxury from a bygone era. It reminds me very much of Royal Naval Wardrooms and Service from the last century. Staff are extremely engaging, attentive and clearly well trained. The gardens are beautifully maintained and presented and the whole establishment offers a wonderful glimpse of the past beautifully blended with modern touches. Dressing for dinner in the main restaurant and bar still required!