Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
An elegant, modern place with rice-field views from the balconies of the rooms. The gar-
dens are a delight, dotted with palm trees and overlooked by the restaurant tables. Sesatha
is 1.5km south of town, about 200m off the main road.
Jim's Farm Villas
LODGE
( 077 782 8395;
www.jimsfarmvillas.com
;3km west of Madawala Ulpotha;s/d/tr US$100/125/150;
)
In the misty, verdant hills north of Matale, at an elevation of 450m, this working organic
farm (harvesting coconuts, mangoes, bananas and papaya) is owned by an Englishman and
run on an environmentally sustainable basis. Rooms (divided between two villas, with a
third under construction) are beautiful, with attractive wooden furniture, Egyptian-cotton
bed linen and generous balconies or verandahs.
The cooking is exceptional and meals (US$10 to US$20) are eaten communally. It's
20km north of Matale.
Surathura Spice Garden
SRI LANKAN
( 222 2338;3 Thotagamuwa;buffet Rs 450; 11am-3.30pm)
Around 4km north of Matale, this is a pretty run-of-the-mill spice garden but the lunch-
time buffet is worth investigating with tasty vegetarian curries made from breadfruit and
jackfruit. Try a cardamom-infused coffee afterwards.
A&C Restaurant
SRI LANKAN
( 367 4501;3/5 Sir Richard Aluvihara Mawatha;mains Rs 600-1100; 11am-3pm)
For a step up in class from your standard-issue rice and curry, this atmospheric place offers
delicious Sri Lankan meals that are varied and flavourful with lots of choice. It's on the
same turnoff as the Matale Heritage Centre, but then take a sharp left rather than the road
to the centre.
Getting There & Away
Bus 593 runs from Kandy to Matale (normal/intercity express Rs 48/68, 1½ hours) every
10 minutes. Buses to Dambulla or Anuradhapura will drop you at Aluvihara (Rs 10) or the
