The Heritance Tea Factory: A Legacy of Tea

Perched at 2,000 meters above sea level, Heritance Tea Factory is more than just a hotel—it is a living monument to Sri Lanka’s tea heritage. Standing amidst the emerald-green slopes of the Hethersett Tea Estate in Kandapola, this former tea factory, built in 1864, has been meticulously transformed into a hotel while preserving its rich colonial past.

Stepping inside Heritance Tea Factory is like stepping into history. The original steel structures, wooden floors, and machinery used in tea production remain intact, transporting guests back to the golden age of Ceylon Tea. The scent of tea lingers in the air, and every corner of the hotel whispers stories of planters, laborers, and a time when this factory was at the heart of Sri Lanka’s world-renowned tea industry.

A Journey Through Time: The Origins of Hethersett Tea Estate

The story of Heritance Tea Factory began in 1879 when William Flowerdew, an English planter, acquired crown land high in Sri Lanka’s central hills. He named it Hethersett after his hometown in England and began experimenting with crops like cinchona and tea.

By the late 1880s, the original factory had been built, though it suffered significant damage after World War I and had to be reconstructed in the 1930s. Over the years, it became a leading tea-processing facility, producing nearly 500,000 kilograms of premium Ceylon tea annually. The factory operated for nearly five decades, before ceasing production in 1973 as costs rose and the machinery became outdated.

Recognizing its historical significance, Aitken Spence Hotels acquired the abandoned structure and embarked on an ambitious project to convert it into a one-of-a-kind hotel while retaining its industrial charm. In 1996, the factory-turned-hotel opened its doors, setting a benchmark for adaptive reuse in the hospitality industry.

Preserving the Past: Architectural Marvel and Industrial Heritage

Unlike other heritage hotels that are reconstructed, Heritance Tea Factory retains its original 19th-century exterior.

The wooden floors, windows, and framework remain unchanged, with the timber sourced from Burma (teak) and Australia (Jarrah wood), showcasing the quality craftsmanship of British engineers.

The entire steel structure, imported from Dorman Long, UK, in the early 1900s, remains as it was, reinforcing the hotel’s industrial character.

The lofts that once housed drying tea leaves were converted into guest rooms, preserving the dimensions and essence of the original space.

During the renovation, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board initially raised concerns about the compact size of the rooms, which were previously used for sorting and drying tea. However, rather than altering the factory’s historic architecture, the number of rooms was reduced to 50, ensuring that every guest could enjoy a spacious and authentic stay while retaining the original structure of the building.

Living History

A walk-through Heritance Tea Factory reveals the machinery that once powered Sri Lanka’s tea production. The Steam-Powered Weathering Fan: This massive engine, which once supplied power to the factory, is still operational in the basement and is run for guests in the evenings, demonstrating the old system of rotating staff and pulley-driven machines.

The Weighing Room Turned Bar: Once the room where tea was weighed and packed into chests before being sent to the London Tea Auction, it has now been transformed into The Hethersett Bar—a cozy retreat where guests can sip on fine Ceylon teas and cocktails.

The TCK 6685 Train Restaurant: A unique addition, this vintage railway carriage was incorporated into the property to honor the days when tea was transported primarily by train from the highlands to Colombo for export. Today, it offers an intimate dining experience unlike any other in Sri Lanka.

The Ultimate Tea Experience: From Leaf to Cup

A stay at Heritance Tea Factory is not just about comfort—it’s about immersion in the art of tea-making.

Guests are invited to plunge into the life of a tea plucker, donning traditional Tamil tea-picking attire and heading into the estate to pick fresh tea leaves. These leaves are then processed in the hotel’s mini tea factory, which still uses original equipment. At the end of the experience, guests receive a custom-branded packet of their own hand-plucked and processed tea—a truly personal souvenir.

For those seeking deeper insight, the Tea Bar offers a curated selection of locally grown teas presented in miniature wooden chests, echoing the way tea was once stored and transported.

A Favorite Among Dignitaries and Travelers Alike

Over the years, Heritance Tea Factory has hosted numerous dignitaries, including His Royal Highness Prince Charles, who was captivated by the hotel’s dedication to preserving Sri Lanka’s colonial and tea heritage. His visit reaffirmed the property’s status as a cultural landmark in Sri Lanka.

Guests from around the world have echoed similar sentiments, with the hotel earning accolades such as South Asian Architectural Award (1996), the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (UK) – Building Conservation Award (2000), one of the “Magnificent Seven Icons of Modern Hotel Design” (Observer, UK, 2006), one of the “Top 5 Factory Hotels in the World” (Independent, UK, 2007) among others.

Guest reviews consistently highlight the sense of nostalgia and immersion, with travelers describing their experience as “like stepping into a different era” and “a tea lover’s dream.”

A Testament to Timeless Hospitality

Few hotels in the world offer the opportunity to sleep inside a tea factory, where the legacy of Ceylon tea is still very much alive. Heritance Tea Factory seamlessly blends history, sustainability, and luxury, offering an experience that is as educational as it is indulgent.

Whether it’s waking up to misty views of the tea-covered hills, sipping a fresh brew while learning about 150 years of tea craftsmanship, or walking through halls lined with century-old machines, every moment at Heritance Tea Factory is a tribute to Sri Lanka’s most celebrated export—Ceylon Tea.

For those seeking an experience that is rooted in history yet rich in comfort, there is no place quite like Heritance Tea Factory, where the past is not just remembered—it is relived.