Unbelievable Appleton Villa: Your Nuwara Eliya Dream Escape Awaits!
Unbelievable Appleton Villa: My Nuwara Eliya Dream? (Or, The Truth About Those Plush Robes and a Questionable Sauna)
Okay, so you're looking at Appleton Villa in Nuwara Eliya, huh? You've seen the pictures. Lush green hills, charming colonial vibes, promises of unbelievable escapes… Well, buckle up, buttercup, because I'm about to give you the real deal. Forget the brochure BS. I'm talking honest-to-goodness, this-is-what-happened-to-me, warts-and-all review.
First, Let's Talk Access & That Damn Wi-Fi (Because, Let's Be Real, It Matters):
Getting there? Easy peasy. Airport transfer? Yep, they got it. Free car park? Bam! Done and dusted. Car park [on-site] – makes life a helluva lot easier. Now, accessibility for those with mobility issues? Hmm. There is an elevator, which is HUGE. But I'm not entirely sure how accessible everything is. I'd advise contacting the hotel directly to inquire about Facilities for disabled guests. They do try, I'll give them that.
Internet? Ah, the eternal struggle. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Yes! Praise the tech gods! Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, Internet services – they’ve covered their bases. The Wi-Fi was… well, it was Nuwara Eliya Wi-Fi. Let's just say it's better than trying to connect via carrier pigeon. Expect some buffering. Wi-Fi in public areas also available, but don’t bet the farm on a seamless connection. So, let's just say… download your Netflix beforehand.
Safety Measures - Feeling Secure or Just Plain Wary?
They claim to be doing the right thing for Covid. You see the tick boxes – Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hygiene certification, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Cashless payment service, and Staff trained in safety protocol. Good. Good. But you've gotta wonder, right? Can you really tell if someone’s actually wiped down the door handles? I found their overall vibe pretty safe, and I liked seeing the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Smoke detector. The basics are there.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Really Really Comfortable Robes:
Okay, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. My room. Oh man, my room. Air conditioning? Yep. Essential in the highlands, right? (Kidding! It's freezing!). Alarm clock – ancient, but it worked. Bathrobes? YES! Those fluffy, glorious, cloud-like bathrobes! I lived in that thing the entire time. My Daily housekeeping was spotless. My desk, and Laptop workspace got used a lot. Extra long bed – a dream! Okay, maybe a slightly wrinkly dream. The Blackout curtains were amazing for blocking out the early morning sun, but the window that opens was pretty useless. I really liked the complimentary tea and free bottled water.
The non-smoking rooms are a godsend. Shower, Separate shower/bathtub, Private bathroom, Toiletries – all present and accounted for. They even have an in-room safe box.
Side note: Mirror. Yup, plenty of mirrors. You'll need it after trying to navigate the winding staircases after a few cocktails (more on that later).
The Big Dissapointment: The Spa - Sauna Suicide Attempt?
Alright, this is where things get… interesting. I'm a spa junkie. Can't resist a massage. Body scrub, Body wrap, the whole shebang! Appleton Villa boasts a Spa and Spa/sauna. I was so excited.
The massage was fantastic. Seriously, top-notch. All the tension in my travel-weary body melted away. But… the sauna? Oh, the sauna. Imagine a small, poorly ventilated box, heated by a defiant little heater that seemed to be perpetually on the verge of giving up. I swear, I spent five minutes in that thing, feeling like I was slowly being baked in a poorly-ventilated oven. I'm not claustrophobic, but I very nearly sprinted from the thing. I think the steamroom was okay, according to other guests, though. The Pool with view was lovely though, and the Swimming pool [outdoor] was crystal clear, but freezing.
Dining: From Asian to Western and a Questionable Cup of Coffee
Restaurants? Several! Breakfast [buffet]? Yep! And the Asian breakfast was a solid effort. They had Western breakfast, too, but let's be real, I wanted the curries. The Buffet in restaurant was decent, and they tried to spice it up every day. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Sadly, the coffee was… well, let's just say it was a strong brew. The Coffee shop was marginally better. Room service [24-hour] a lifesaver at 3 am! Happy hour? Hell yeah! The Poolside bar was a great place to unwind. A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant – all present and correct.
Things to Do: Beyond the Usual, or Just Meant to Be Relaxed?
Things to do? Well, Nuwara Eliya is all about the lush tea plantations and the crisp mountain air. Fitness center – yes! Gym/fitness – you guessed it. Sauna, Spa, Swimming pool… the works. I spent a lot of time just, you know, doing nothing. Which was exactly what I needed. They also offered Body scrub, Body wrap, and Foot bath.
Services and Conveniences: What You Don't Think About Until You Need It
Concierge – helpful enough. Laundry service? Check. Dry cleaning? Also check. Cash withdrawal available, which is always handy.
For the Kids?
They have a Babysitting service but I don't know how good are they. Appleton Villa is pretty Family/child friendly, with Kids facilities, and Kids meal.
The "Unbelievable" Verdict:
Look, Appleton Villa isn’t perfect. The Wi-Fi can be spotty, and the sauna is a near-death experience. But the location is stunning; the bathrobes are legendary, the staff are friendly, and the overall vibe is relaxing. It's a solid choice for a getaway, with some quirks.
My Honest Rating: 7.5/10 (and that's mostly because of the robe).
STOP! Before you book, read this:
Unbelievable Appleton Villa: Your Nuwara Eliya Dream Escape Awaits! (But with a Twist… and Discounts!)
Tired of the same old boring hotel stays? Craving a real escape? Appleton Villa in Nuwara Eliya is calling, but hear me out:
What You'll Love:
- Breathtaking Views: Wake up to postcard-perfect vistas of rolling hills and lush tea plantations.
- Cozy Comfort: Sink into those divine, cloud-like bathrobes and drift away in our extra-long beds.
- Spa Serenity: Enjoy a relaxing massage (forget the sauna!). Your muscles will thank you.
- Delicious Dining: Savor authentic Asian cuisine and a delicious Western meal at our restaurant.
But Wait, There's More! (A Real Human Touch)
Book now, and we'll throw in:
- A free Welcome Drink
- 15% off Spa Treatments (excluding the sauna, trust me).
- Free early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability – because we get it, travel is exhausting!).
- Discounted Airport Transfers
Exclusive Offer for You:
- *Book directly through our website and get a guaranteed better price
- *Enjoy a complimentary 24-hour room service
- *Enjoy a 50% discount on a bottle of wine
- *Enjoy a free romantic dinner for two at the restaurant
Don't Miss Out!
This offer disappears faster than a plate of hot dumplings. Click the link now and start planning your unforgettable Nuwara Eliya escape.
[Link to Appleton Villa Website]
(Don't forget to mention this review when you book! You might get extra brownie points… or a slightly longer massage!)
(P.S. I'm not affiliated with Appleton Villa, but I'm totally wishing I were writing this from one of those luxury rooms right now.)
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Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because this itinerary is less "smooth brochure" and more "me trying to wrangle a cat while juggling flaming torches" – but hey, that’s life, right? This is my Appleton Villa, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka adventure, told the honest way. Prepare for rambling, revelations, and the distinct possibility of me getting lost in a tea plantation.
Day 1: Arrival – Lost in Translation (and Luggage?)
- Morning (ish): Arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Flight was… well, airlines. Let’s just say the in-flight entertainment system definitely didn’t have my chosen movie, and the tiny airplane pretzels triggered a mild existential crisis. Immigration was surprisingly swift – I think I accidentally charmed the officer with my bewildered smile (it’s a skill).
- Afternoon: The drive to Nuwara Eliya. Oh. My. God. The scenery is breathtaking. I mean, seriously. I was hanging out the window like a dog, just taking it all in. Tea plantations stretching out like a green carpet… hills rolling forever… waterfalls whispering secrets. Our driver, bless his heart, apparently thought I spokefluent Sinhala. I don't. Conversations involved a lot of nodding, pointing, and vaguely understanding the word "tea."
- Anecdote: We did stop for lunch at a roadside place. The “rice and curry” looked fabulous… until I took a bite. FIRE! My mouth was a volcano. Turns out, "mild" is a relative term in Sri Lanka. I spent the next 15 minutes desperately gulping water and trying not to cry. The friendly old lady who served me just cackled. I think I earned myself some street cred.
- Evening: Arrived at Appleton Villa. Gorgeous! The pictures online still don't do it justice. Cozy, charming, with those classic colonial vibes. The family welcomed us with tea and biscuits. The relief of a hot shower and a comfortable bed after the flight and the volcanic lunch was… bliss. Unpacked (mostly). Still searching for my favourite travel journal… which is turning into a running joke at this point.
- Dinner: Tried to order something "safe" at the villa. Ended up with a chicken dish that, while delicious, had a suspicious number of bones. A minor battle ensued. Lost. (Seriously, how do people here eat so gracefully?) Ended with a cup of lemon tea (the only thing I was sure of) on the verandah. Stargazing was amazing, and just a slight chill in the air that made me snuggle under the blanket. Feeling pretty lucky.
Day 2: Tea Time & Tempestuous Emotions
- Morning: Woke up to the sound of… nothing. Just birds and the gentle breeze. Absolute heaven. Had breakfast at the villa. Now fluent in the language of "more toast, please!" Finally found my journal! Scribbled a few pages about the previous day’s adventures, the tea volcano, and the sheer beauty of the place.
- Mid-Morning: A trip to a tea plantation! Okay, I was expecting a serene, educational wander. I got so much more. It was a visual feast. The emerald green, the women with their baskets, the air thick with the scent of tea… It was stunning. I kept getting lost in the rows of tea plants.
- Quirky Observation: The tea pickers are so fast. Like, ninja-level fast. I tried to pick a few leaves. Failed miserably. Felt like a clumsy oaf. Also, the way they carry those baskets… impressive. Very impressive.
- Emotional Reaction: The tea tasting. I was expecting to be overwhelmed. But, I was moved. I tasted tea I’d never experienced before. The different variations, the scent, the taste… It was a sensory overload in the best possible way. I felt connected to the land, the people, the process. It was more than just a drink; it was an experience. I actually teared up a little. (Don't judge me!)
- Afternoon: Back at Appleton Villa! Finally got around to doing some laundry.. also some serious resting. The thought of heading outside made me tired, but I couldn't stop thinking about the tea. It was such a complex flavour of life and I wanted to know more.
- Evening: The rain. It was torrential!. The wind was howling. The power went out. I was cozy inside. The rain against the windows… the thunder… it was dramatic and beautiful. Made some more tea. And, I wrote! The day’s experiences had stirred something inside of me. I realized how much I wanted to write the stories of other people.
Day 3: Waterfalls & Wandering Woes
- Morning: Woke up to sunshine! Yes! Headed off to a waterfall. I had no idea which one, because I hadn't planned anything. But I set out with my journal, knowing I'd find a beautiful spot.
- Messier Structure: Okay, so the waterfall was supposed to be an easy walk. It wasn't. Got lost. Twice. Ended up hiking through some pretty dense jungle. Almost stepped on a snake (probably). Almost had a panic attack (definitely). This is where being organized would have helped.
- Anecdote: Met a local family by the side of the road. They saw me stumbling around looking completely bewildered and offered me a ride in their tuk-tuk. They spoke very broken English, and I spoke even more broken gestures, but we somehow managed to share a moment of laughter and mutual understanding. They gave me a freshly picked guava. Best guava ever.
- Afternoon After the mini-adventure, I returned to the villa. I had lunch. The food was delicious.
- Late Afternoon: More tea (shocker!). Started reading a book on my phone. Made a list of things I want to see and do before I leave.
- Evening: A quiet dinner at the villa. The rain started again. This time it was more gentle, more of a soothing drizzle. Sat on the verandah with a cup of tea and watched the clouds drift across the sky. Tried to write more in my journal, but all I could think about was that guava. Was it the most delicious thing I'd ever tasted? Possibly.
Day 4: Goodbye, Sri Lanka… (For Now!)
- Morning: Packing! (The worst part of traveling, in my opinion.) Feeling a bit blue about leaving.
- Mid-Morning: One last breakfast, and a final cup of tea.
- Afternoon: Farewell to Appleton Villa and the stunning views. The drive back was as beautiful as the drive there. I kept taking photos, trying to capture the feeling of this place.
- Evening: Arrived at the airport. The flight home. The end.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Leaving Sri Lanka. I'm both shattered and energized. I'm sad to say goodbye. I wasn't ready to leave yet. But, I'm also incredibly grateful to have experienced such beauty, and I'm taking away a new perspective. I knew this trip was going to be a journey, but, it’s not just been a holiday. It’s become a piece of me.
- Rambling Thought: Should I have seen more? Done more? Maybe. But, sometimes the best adventures are the ones taken at your own pace. And my pace, this time was perfect.
So that’s it. Perfectly imperfect. Messy and truthful. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, I need more tea.
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Unbelievable Appleton Villa: Ready to Gamble on Nuwara Eliya? (FAQ, but Not Your Average Kind)
Alright, so, you're thinking about Appleton Villa, eh? Brace yourself. It's... an *experience*. This isn't your sanitized brochure, promise.
Okay, spill it. Is Appleton Villa ACTUALLY 'unbelievable'? Like, seriously?
Look, "unbelievable" is a strong word. It's like... if "unbelievable" was having a VERY good day and someone just handed it a mountain of shortbread cookies from a Nuwara Eliya bakery. The views? Unbelievable. The whole damn thing perched on a hillside, mist rolling in... Stunning. But then... you realize the hot water situation is a bit... dicey. One minute you're luxuriously lathering up, the next, *brrrrr* cold. It's a gamble. You may win. You may lose. But it's memorable, that's for sure. It gives you stories to tell, right?
What IS the actual villa like? Describe it, please.
Think... a charming, slightly wonky, Victorian-esque mansion. Lots of dark wood, fireplaces that *might* work (ours did, occasionally!), and rooms that feel more like stepping back in time than just, you know, a hotel room. Our room... oh, our room! Called "The Earl's Retreat," I think. Massive, cold when we arrived, but beautiful, in that proper, slightly-overgrown garden kind of way. Think faded grandeur. Think comfy, slightly lumpy beds. Think of the ghosts of former guests, maybe a stiff upper lip type, judging your every movement. Be prepared, it’s not the Ritz, but It has its own unique charm.
The Food.. is the food any good? I'm a foodie, you know.
Listen, if Michelin star is your thing, go somewhere else. But if you appreciate home-style cooking, with slightly uneven execution, but loads of heart? Then yes, the food is pretty good. Breakfast was the best, hands down. Full English (sort of...), with a mountain of toast, and string tea to warm you up. Dinner… well, it depends. They try. Really, they do. One night, the curry was divine. Another, it was...overly enthusiastic with the chili. Honestly, the unpredictability is part of the fun. Order extra toast. Always.
Tell me about the staff. Are they helpful? A bit… quirky?
Quirky? That's putting it MILDLY. They're lovely. They’re all incredibly genuine and welcoming. The main man (I wish I remembered his name, I'm terrible with names), was so kind. He went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable. They seem used to the place’s little… idiosyncrasies. When the hot water gave in (again), they shrugged, apologized, and offered extra blankets (which, by the way, you'll need. Nuwara Eliya gets *cold*). One minute they will be apologizing, then two minutes later, you’ll be laughing over tea. They are its secret weapon.
What's the biggest *downside* to staying at Appleton Villa? Be brutally honest.
The hot water, as mentioned. It's fickle; a constant battle with a faulty boiler. Embrace the chilly showers. Pack a good book and learn to love the cold. The other thing... the isolation. You're a bit out there. You definitely need a driver/tuk-tuk. But that’s part of the charm/challenge. It’s a trade-off. Peace and quiet versus consistent hot showers. You decide. Honestly, the imperfections - a few dodgy lightbulbs, slightly stained carpets – and the odd burst pipe or two, add to the charm.
Okay, the details. How's the wifi? And the power?
Wifi? Pray. Hope. Maybe the gods of the internet will smile upon you. It's spotty, at best. Consider it a digital detox. Embrace the silence. Read a book. Look at the view. The power was surprisingly okay, we didn't have major outages, maybe a flicker or two, but nothing too disruptive. This is the Sri Lanka experience, though, so be prepared for potential hiccups, it won’t ruin your life.
What's there to *do* around Appleton Villa? Besides, you know, shivering and hoping for hot water?
Oh, there's *plenty*. The views from the villa itself are worth the price of admission. Go for walks. Visit the tea plantations. Take a drive to Horton Plains - just be prepared for the ridiculously early start. Ride the train to Ella (best views in Sri Lanka). Honestly, Nuwara Eliya is a gorgeous region. It's the perfect place to explore and lose yourself in the nature. We spent a whole afternoon just wandering around the gardens. It was amazing, even the rain couldn't dampen the beauty.
I'm traveling with kids. Is Appleton Villa suitable for children?
Honestly? It depends on your kids. If they're the kind who thrive on adventure and don't mind a bit of rustic charm (and a potential cold shower), then yes. It will be unforgettable! But if they're high-maintenance, require consistent wifi, and can't handle a little… *character*, maybe not. There aren’t tons of kids' activities *at* the villa, but the surrounding area is perfect for family fun.
Okay, spill the tea (haha). Would you stay there again?
Absofuckinglutely. See, Appleton Villa isn't perfect. It's not sleek. It's not modern. But it's got *soul*. And it gave us some absolutely brilliant, hilarious memories. The imperfections? They're part of the charm. The cold showers? Well, they're character-building! Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Bring a good book, your sense of humor, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. It’s just that kind of place. It's a gamble, but one I'd take again in a heartbeat. And, honestly? That's part of the magic.
