A favorite among celebrities and fun-seekers, this palace of whimsy is juxtaposed against lush jungle surroundings. The hotel was built by visionary artist, Esme De Silva and her bon vivant husband in the 1930s. Today it is run by their daughter, known as Madam Helga. She decorated the hotel using puppets, pink paint, and her vast collection of family heirlooms. When she is not running the hotel, Helga designs ostentatious jewelry using Sri-Lankan gems and gold. No two rooms are alike.

There are old gramophones, stag heads, and glitterballs decorating the halls and function rooms of this British-style jungle mansion. There is a secluded swimming pool, fragrant gardens full of exotic flowers, and a private cinema. The hotel is in the perfect location to explore Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and you can visit the historical town of Kandy which is nearby.