Fleewinter

This mountainside retreat is the perfect place to unwind and distress. Set on a six-acre property, the house is nestled within a grove of clove trees and surrounded by verdant forest landscapes. The house is often used by the family who own it but is available to rent when they are elsewhere.

The house has four bedrooms and can accommodate a group of family and friends. The living areas are large, and with several gardens, a wading pool and a gurgling river at the bottom of the house.

Each bedroom is named after the spices that are cultivated in the surrounding region. Kurundu (Cinnamon), Inguru (Ginger), and Karabu (Cloves) sleep two people in each, while the larger room Sadikka (Nutmeg) can comfortably accommodate four people. Bedrooms open into gardens or verandahs and all have en-suite bathrooms with hot water showers powered by solar energy.

The house has a spacious living room with 270 degree views, which is equipped with cable TV, a DVD player, and a stereo with an iPod connection. Outside, there are three main gardens, full of fruit trees and indigenous plants, which attract a real variety of birds. There are benches in the corners of the gardens and a shallow pool with built in Jacuzzi spouts to relax in. And further uphill beyond the house there is even a small pepper and coffee plantation as well as vegetable and herb gardens.

Weir House is fully staffed with a house has its own manager, cook and two other staff members. The friendly cook Lesley is known for his fabulously tasty, homely dishes that smack of Asian spices and ingredients. Breakfast at the Weir House is a choice of western style omelettes or waffles, or Sri Lankan rotis or hoppers. Dinner is usually a three course meal that blends eastern and western elements. If you wish to stay in for lunch - then Lesley's classic Sri Lankan rice and curry should not be missed. There is no tab on tea, coffee and juice throughout the day. Guests can also cook themselves if they wish.

The Weir House is off the beaten track but not so remote that you would miss out on the tourist must sees of Sri Lanka. Numerous excursions can be arranged, including white water rafting at Kitulgala, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya with over 10,000 plants and 4000 labelled species which is just half an hour drive away, or a visit to Kandy, with the ancient royal palace of Dalada Maligawa. The more active may wish to see dawn at the summit of Adam's Peak or wander through the tea country and visit Nuwara Eliya, which is fondly known as Little England for its lovely cottages and manicured gardens and there is also a golf course here.

These prices are based on one to two people sharing, please enquire about rates for family and group bookings.