The Gileemale Walawwa and Estate in Sri Lanka’s Adam’s Peak Valley is a delightful eco-responsible nature retreat housed in a lovingly preserved 300-year-old mansion home (Walawwa is the Sinhalese word for mansion). A wonderful opportunity to experience the incredible Sabaragamuwa culture while participating in sustainable practices and carefully curated community involvement. The hotel offers a fascinating range of activities for guests to enjoy during their stay, such as cycling, hiking, trekking, bird watching, and river rafting around the sacred Adam’s Peak. In addition, cooking classes, tours to learn the stories of the estate and local lifestyles, and a rare chance to learn all about the precious stones that are found in this region with a guided tour to a gem mine. The careful preservation of the Gileemale mansion house transports guests back to a golden age of estate living, with the 6 rooms decorated in-keeping with the period and featuring antique pieces and polished hardwood interiors that shine with the patina of heritage. In preserving the mansion to its original design there are no private en-suite bathrooms for the 6 guestrooms (four double, and two singles). The three shared bathrooms feature several showers and washrooms with complimentary toiletries and freshly laundered towels. The restaurant, Café 1911, offers diners a menu of Sri Lankan and Western dishes, all freshly prepared from locally sourced produce. Other facilities include a business centre, a yoga shala, and an Ayurvedic spa, the perfect place for a massage after a busy day discovering the estate. The hospitality of this family owned and run boutique hotel and estate is as professional as it is warm and welcoming. The family and team at Gileemale Walawwa have successfully paired boutique hospitality with culture, history, and heritage with a focus on sustainability and the local community, into a simply unmissable experience.