Sri Lanka’s Thotalagala named on World’s 50 Best Discovery list
Daily Mirror: Thotalagala, a luxury planter’s bungalow in Sri Lanka’s Haputale, has been selected for World’s 50 Best Discovery, the global travel and hospitality platform from the team behind The World’s 50 Best Hotels.
The recognition places Thotalagala among a carefully curated collection of exceptional hospitality destinations worldwide and marks yet another milestone for Island Life – Sri Lanka.
Set on a historic estate stretching towards the iconic Lipton’s Seat, Thotalagala offers an intimate all-inclusive experience with just seven individually themed suites, combining colonial heritage with contemporary luxury.
Guests are invited to discover the culture of Sri Lanka’s tea country through guided plantation walks, award-winning High Tea, heritage-inspired dining, immersive cookery experiences, and exclusive access to one of the island’s most historic estates. “Thotalagala is the very first property that we started with at Island Life – Sri Lanka, exactly ten years ago. It has been amazing to see our family home now being transformed into one of Sri Lanka’s most VIP addresses, showcasing the island’s tea culture beautifully. To be recognised by 50 Best Discovery is a wonderful acknowledgement that authentic, destination-led hospitality continues to resonate with travellers around the world,” says Amrit Rajaratnam, Managing Director of Island Life – Sri Lanka.
As one of Sri Lanka’s most exclusive boutique hotels, Thotalagala has also been featured in leading international publications including Robb Report India, Condé Nast Traveller, Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveller, The Telegraph, and Tatler Asia, cementing its reputation as one of the country’s most distinctive heritage stays.
OSL take:
The growing international recognition of Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector is reinforcing the country’s appeal as an attractive destination for foreign investment in tourism and leisure. The inclusion of Thotalagala in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Discovery platform highlights the rising global profile of Sri Lanka’s boutique luxury hospitality offerings. Such recognition not only strengthens the country’s reputation among high-value international travellers but also demonstrates the growing demand for unique, experience-driven tourism products. As Sri Lanka continues to diversify its tourism offering beyond traditional beach holidays into wellness tourism, eco-tourism, heritage experiences, luxury boutique stays, adventure travel and plantation tourism, new business/investment opportunities are emerging across the leisure and hospitality value chain. Foreign businesses/investors can explore ventures ranging from boutique hotels, luxury resorts and wellness retreats to experiential tourism, destination management, hospitality technology, and sustainable tourism infrastructure. With tourism remaining a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and global accolades helping to elevate the country’s international brand, the sector offers significant long-term potential for foreign businesses/investors seeking to tap into a destination that is increasingly being recognised as a must-visit location in South Asia. As visitor numbers continue to recover and demand for premium travel experiences grows, Sri Lanka’s evolving tourism landscape presents a compelling environment for investment, partnerships, and the development of innovative hospitality concepts.