Kithulgala Plantation

The Plantation Hotel is situated 90km from Colombo (a 2.5 hour drive) in a sleep riverside village called Kithulgala, sandwiched between the famous west coast and the towering central highlands. A small picturesque spot on the banks of the Kelani River, Kitulgala is the ideal stopover destination, breaking up long journeys, but is also has a much to appeal as a destination in its own right, including beautiful forest walks, rewarding bird-watching, whitewater rafting and canoeing. The hotel’s appeal is its location, right on the banks of the wide Kelani River and surrounded by tropical jungle. The scenic location brought it fame when it was used for the filming of the epic ‘A Bridge over the River Kwai’. But the area is much more than an old film site and is particularly popular with nature lovers. The hotel itself is relatively small with just eight air-conditioned rooms and is often full. The restaurant sits right over the river and is ideal for long lazy meals and a convivial drink with friends.