Ella's Hidden Gem: Ornateview Hotel - Unforgettable Sri Lankan Luxury
Ella's Hidden Gem: Ornateview Hotel - Unforgettable Sri Lankan Luxury (Or is it?!) - A Rambling Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Ornateview Hotel in Ella, Sri Lanka, and I’m still reeling. Seriously. The kind of reeling that makes you question your life choices… in a good way, mostly. Let's dive in, shall we? Forget the slick marketing blurb, I'm here with the real, unvarnished truth (and maybe a touch of dramatic flair, you've been warned!).
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Accessibility & Getting In (The First Hurdle!):
Okay, let’s start with the practical stuff. I'd rate Accessibility a solid maybe. The website claims wheelchair accessibility. They had Facilities for disabled guests, listed, like "Elevator" and "Facilities for disabled guests," but I’m thinking access to the Swimming pool and lush Pool with a view might be a bit of a challenge. I didn’t test it myself, thankfully. I’m more of an "embrace the chaos" kind of traveler, and the chaos didn’t include needing a wheelchair.
The Good Stuff - Relaxation & Pampering (Where It Gets REALLY Good… And Sometimes Weird):
Oh. My. Goodness. This is where Ornateview really shines. Ornateview is a luxury hotel and promises a lot, and it more or less delivers on it. Let's start with the basics. They. Have. A. Spa! And not just a dusty corner claiming the title. We're talking Spa/sauna, Steamroom, and a serious roster of treatments.
I dove headfirst into the Body scrub and Body wrap combo. The aroma was… let’s just say it transported me. It smelled like frangipani and a slightly-overripe tropical fruit, but in a good way. My therapist, a sweet woman named Kumari, (I think, my memory is hazy from all the bliss) was a miracle worker. She kneaded my knots away until I was basically putty. And the Foot bath beforehand? Pure, unadulterated heaven. Afterward, they offered me Complimentary tea, which was a nice touch.
But here’s where things get interesting. I was so relaxed after the body wrap that I went for a Massage after. I was pretty certain I'd fallen asleep on the massage table for a considerable amount of time, and I swear I heard Kumari giggle as she covered me in a giant towel. This one was a lot more… vigorous, and a little more… direct, than I was expecting. My emotional reaction? I may have yelped at one point. But after that, you know, I was fine with it.
They also have a Fitness center! The Gym/fitness room, however, was tucked away and I didn't even try it. I was too busy horizontal at that point.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Prepare for Carb-Loading!):
Okay, foodie alert! The Dining, drinking, and snacking situation at Ornateview is… ambitious. Let's start with the positives. The Breakfast [buffet] was decent. Think Asian breakfast meets Western breakfast with a Sri Lankan twist. Loved the fruit! There were plenty of options, including Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, and Buffet in restaurant.
The Restaurants themselves offer a wide array of cuisines. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was pretty good. The International cuisine in restaurant was, well, it was there.
However, the “alternative meal arrangement” was a little… awkward. I asked for a simple plate of Salad in restaurant and it took almost an hour to arrive. There was some confusion in the kitchen. Eventually, it came - a mountain of lettuce with some sad-looking tomatoes. And the waitstaff was so sincerely apologetic, and then they brought me a complimentary Dessert in restaurant to make up for it, so I can’t be too mad.
And about the bar? They boast a Poolside bar with Happy hour… but actually getting a drink during non-happy hours required some persistence. I had one of the bartenders looking for Bottle of water for me and the time it takes to finish that trip to the store was insane. A truly special moment.
Cleanliness & Safety (COVID-Era Realities):
Okay, let’s be real, traveling during a pandemic is… different. Ornateview tries to cater to it, and I appreciate the effort. They are clearly very serious about Cleanliness and safety
- Anti-viral cleaning products are in play.
- Daily disinfection in common areas felt, well, daily.
- They had Hand sanitizer everywhere.
- Rooms sanitized between stays.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
- The staff always looked clean and seemed trained in Staff trained in safety protocol.
- They offered Room sanitization opt-out available.
I appreciated the effort in this case, but the measures still fell a bit short.
Rooms & Amenities (The Real Comfort Zone):
My room! Oh, my room. It was, as promised, a little slice of heaven. The Air conditioning worked, which was a godsend. The Bed was enormous, with Extra long bed and I sunk right into the clouds. The Bathroom was well-appointed with a Separate shower/bathtub, Towels, and the luxurious Bathrobes. A Complimentary tea supply and Coffee/tea maker were a nice touch. The Non-smoking rule was adhered to.
However, the Internet access – wireless was a bit patchy. I could swear that I kept getting dropped.
Services and Conveniences (The Perks and Quirks):
Ornateview has a long list of Services and conveniences, which, I had to say, the hotel had some pretty strong points.
- Laundry service? Check.
- Dry cleaning? Check.
- Concierge? Yep. They helped with some of the most basic requests.
- Invoice provided? Yes, but…
For the Kids (I Didn't Have Any, But I Noticed):
They claim to be Family/child friendly and have Kids facilities and a Babysitting service. I can't personally vouch for any of these, but I did see a few very well-behaved children milling about.
Getting Around (The Island Life):
The hotel offers Airport transfer, which is highly recommended. The drive from the airport is long, and after a grueling flight, I would have loved that service. I didn't use it, since I was already there.
Final Verdict (The Rambling Conclusion):
Would I go back? Yes. Absolutely, yes. Ornateview is a beautiful place. It's not perfect. It has its quirks. There are things they could improve. Did it live up to the “Unforgettable Sri Lankan Luxury” billing? Maybe. But it certainly gave me a story to tell, and a wonderfully relaxed body. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average TripAdvisor regurgitation. This is the real deal - my chaotic, caffeine-fueled adventure in Ella, Sri Lanka, centered around the oh-so-Instagrammable Ornateview Hotel. Prepare for a rollercoaster, because I'm still processing the sheer beauty (and occasional mild insanity) of it all.
The Ornateview & The Ella Experience: A Ramble Through Paradise (and a Few Regrets)
Day 1: Arrival & That Damn View - Oh, and the Mosquitoes.
- Morning (12:00 pm-ish): Landed in Colombo. Let's be honest, that airport is a humid hug of jet lag and existential dread. The airport transfer to Ella? A white-knuckle ride, courtesy of the Sri Lankan driving style. Think aggressive honking, near-misses with rogue scooters, and the faint scent of diesel mixed with incense. Glorious chaos.
- Anecdote: I actually screamed when we veered around a cow. And I’m from a farm! Granted, that farm didn’t have a backdrop of emerald-green tea plantations.
- Afternoon (3:00 pm - 6:00 pm): Arrived at the Ornateview. "Ornateview." Such a deceptive name. It's not just 'view', it's a goddamn masterpiece. You walk out on that balcony… whoa. The valley just unfolds, a tapestry of lush greenery and misty mountains. I stood there, slack-jawed, feeling like I'd stumbled into a postcard. Seriously, this is what heaven probably looks like.
- Quirky Observation: I swear, the air itself tastes different. Like, cleaner, spiced with something I couldn't identify, but utterly delicious. Maybe it was the fact that I’d finally escaped the airport.
- Reality Check: Then, the mosquitoes. Oh, the mosquitoes. They are ruthless tiny winged vampires. And I, in my infinite wisdom, had forgotten the bug spray. The sunset was glorious, but I was also scratching like a rabid monkey.
- Emotional Reaction: I will forever associate that beautiful sunset with the primal urge to claw my own skin off.
- Evening (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm): Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food was…okay. The rice and curry was a bit bland, to be honest. But the view at night? Still spectacular. The staff was lovely, a bit shy, and endlessly patient with all our questions.
- Regret: I should have asked for a stronger mosquito net. Seriously.
Day 2: Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge & a Lesson in Humility (and Stomach Cramps)
- Morning (7:00 am - 10:00 am): Little Adam's Peak. Up, up, up! The hike itself is manageable, the views from the top? Worth every single sweaty step. The valley looks even more breathtaking in the morning light. Pictures? Yes, a million. I'm sure I annoyed everyone around me with photo-op frenzies.
- Opinionated Language: If you go to Ella and don't climb Little Adam's Peak, you're basically committing tourist sacrilege. Just do it. Your Instagram feed will thank you.
- Morning (10:30 am - 12:00 pm): Nine Arch Bridge. This place. Instagram gold. Walking along the tracks (carefully!) while waiting for the train to pass was intense. The air hummed with anticipation, and the sheer architectural beauty of the bridge is enough to bring a tear to your eye. The train rolled in. A total thrill.
- Messier Structure: Okay, I'm going to confess something. I may have gotten a little too close to the train. And I might have slightly panicked. But I did it! Saw the train! No limbs lost!
- Afternoon (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm): Lunch at a roadside restaurant. Uh oh. This is where things started to go south, gastrointestinally speaking. The food tasted amazing, all spicy curries and roti. But my stomach? It had other plans.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: This is the moment I nearly lost it. The heat, the humidity, the cramping… I thought I was going to die in a public bathroom. I'm not going into the specifics of that experience, but let's just say I was not living my best life.
- Afternoon (3:00 pm - 6:00 pm): Back to the Ornateview. Collapse. Hydrate. Pray that the curry demons would leave me.
- Stream-of-consciousness: Maybe I should have avoided the street food. Maybe I should have brought some Pepto-Bismol. Maybe I should have invested in a proper hydration pack. Seriously, I need to do better.
- Evening (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm): Ate, or rather, picked at a bowl of plain rice, feeling sorry for myself with a view over the valley.
Day 3: Ella Rock, Tea Plantations & a New Appreciation for Simple Pleasures
- Morning (6:00 am - 9:00 am): Ella Rock. Another hike. More views. This one was tougher, but the reward at the top was even greater. The panoramic view of Ella was, again, truly breathtaking. This time I went with a guide, which actually made the hike a lot less scary.
- Double Down on a Single Experience: Seeing the sunrise from Ella Rock. It's not just light hitting the landscape; it's the world waking up, colors exploding across the sky, casting shadows and illuminating the hills. It genuinely feels as if the whole world is brand new. The other views I have seen in Sri Lanka pale in comparison.
- Morning (10:00 am - 12:00 pm): Tea Plantation. Ah, the sweet serenity of tea. Walked through endless rows of tea bushes, learned about the harvesting process, and, of course, sampled the tea. Amazing!
- Natural Pacing: It was lovely, all of it… until that mosquito again. I tell you, it was a full-scale war.
- Afternoon (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm): Relaxing back at the hotel. The views were still amazing. I spent more time getting bitten by mosquitoes and relaxing with a book.
- Evening (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm): Tried the hotel restaurant again. The rice and curry was better this time. The mosquitoes were still at war.
Day 4: Departure (and a Last Glance at That View)
- Morning (8:00 am - 10:00 am): One final breakfast on the balcony. A sad goodbye to the view. Packed my bags, sprayed down in bug repellent. Actually, I think I went a bit overboard.
- Morning (10:00 am - 12:00 pm): Departure. The thought of the airport transfer was nauseating, but I made it.
- Quirky Observation: The journey back was relatively uneventful - which is a victory in itself. I kept myself occupied by planning my return. Because let's face it, I am absolutely coming back.
Final Thoughts:
Ella, and the Ornateview Hotel, were incredible. Despite the mosquito attacks, the dodgy stomach, and the occasional existential dread, I wouldn't have traded a single moment. It was messy, beautiful, challenging, and utterly unforgettable. And yes, I will be back. With industrial-strength mosquito repellent, and, maybe, some stomach-settling medication.
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Okay, so, Ornateview Hotel... Is it REALLY as good as those Instagram influencers make it out to be? Seriously.
Alright, let me be brutally honest. Influencers? They're getting paid. Me? Just a tired traveler with a credit card and a penchant for good views. And the answer? Mostly. Look, the photos *are* real. That infinity pool looks exactly like that – practically hanging off the edge of the world. The views? Spectacular. But... (and there’s always a but, isn't there?) it's not *perfect*. More on that later. Think of it as Instagram vs. reality – the reality at Ornateview is still damn good, but with a few wrinkles.
What's the deal with the *views* everyone's raving about? I mean, "ornate" is in the name...
Oh, the views. *Sigh*. Okay, picture this. You wake up. Sunbeams streaming in. You roll over. And BAM! Rolling green hills, a freaking *valley* stretching out before you like a fluffy green carpet. It’s the kind of view that makes you want to just…breathe. Seriously. I spent a solid HOUR just staring out the window the first morning. Didn't even bother with the coffee. The views are stunning at any time, but sunrise…sunrise is something else. Just unreal. It's worth the price of admission alone, honestly.
Is the food as good as the scenery? Because, you know, a bad meal can ruin an experience.
Okay, the food. It's a mixed bag. The breakfast buffet? Solid. Lots of fresh fruit, which is a HUGE win in Sri Lanka. Hoppers! They make a killer hopper. And the coffee? Excellent. But…the dinner menu? A little… predictable. Good, yes. But not mind-blowing. I had this grilled fish one night. Perfectly cooked, but a little…bland, you know? I ended up adding a ton of chili flakes to it. And the service… well, it was attentive, but sometimes a little...slow. I spent a good twenty minutes trying to flag someone down for more water one evening. But, let’s be honest, I was in Sri Lanka. What’s the rush? Just breathe and enjoy the view, right?
Let’s talk about the pool. Everyone raves about the pool. Is it genuinely swimmable, or just for Instagram posing like…a lot of other places?
OH. MY. GOD. The pool. Honestly, it's everything you see in the pictures and more. It's this infinity pool, right? And it basically blends seamlessly into the view. The world just drops off, into the valley! I may or may not have spent a *significant* amount of time in that pool. I may or may not have had a minor near-drowning experience trying to get the perfect Insta shot. (Don’t judge!) And yes, it's actually *swimmable*. You can do laps, you can float, you can just…be. The water was a perfect temperature. The sun on your face. Seriously, perfection. Just…watch out for the wind. I lost a pair of sunglasses to that damn wind. (RIP, expensive sunglasses.)
Are there any hidden costs I should watch out for? Because nobody likes surprise charges.
Hmm, hidden costs. Let’s see… They nickle and dime you a little for the laundry service. Which, fair enough, I guess. The mini-bar is, as always, ridiculously overpriced. Watch out for that. And the spa treatments… they’re lovely, but pricey. I got a massage, it was divine, but my wallet wept a little. Oh! And the tuk-tuk rides to Ella town aren’t included. Pretty standard for these kinds of places. So budget accordingly. Just don't be shocked; it's a luxury hotel. You're paying for it. And the views! The damn views!
What's the best type of room to book? Is a "deluxe" room worth the extra cash?
Okay, room choices. Here's the thing. I went with the deluxe room. Because… well, FOMO. I didn't want to regret it. And honestly? I *loved* the extra space. And the balcony. Yes, the balcony is crucial. That's where you drink your morning coffee and watch the sunrise. The regular rooms are probably perfectly fine, but I'm a sucker for a good view. If you can swing it, go for the deluxe. If you're on a tighter budget, the standard rooms are still going to have those amazing views. You can't really escape that, thank goodness! Just make sure whatever you choose, it has a balcony facing the valley. That’s non-negotiable, in my opinion. I'd sleep on the floor just to get the view if it came to it.
Okay, let's talk about the service. Was everyone amazing, or were there any… "moments?"
Service in Sri Lanka, in general, is… lovely. Everyone is so genuinely friendly and helpful. The staff at Ornateview were, for the most part, wonderful. Always smiling, always trying to help. There were a few hiccups, sure. A delayed room service order here, a slightly confused order there. One time, they forgot to stock my minibar. The horror! But overall? They were genuinely trying their best. The front desk guys were super helpful in organizing my transport. And they remembered my name, which is always a nice touch. They’re not robots, you know? They’re humans, working hard. And in general, the service was great. It just isn't a 5-star, super-polished, flawless experience. And honestly… that kind of makes it more charming in its own way.
Anything else I should know *before* I book? Like, real-world advice, not just the brochure stuff?
Okay, here's the real deal. Book in advance. Seriously. This place is popular. Like, REALLY popular. Especially during peak season. Pack light. You’ll be hiking and exploring. Comfortable shoes are key! (And a hat! The sun is intense). Download offline maps. Google Maps is your best friend, no matter where you are. Learn a few basic Sinhala phrases. The locals will love it. And be prepared to embrace the "slow travel" vibe. Things move slowly in Sri Lanka. And that’s part of the charm. Oh! AND bring mosquito repellent. Trust me on this one. I didn't, and I have the bites to prove it. And finally…just relax. Ornateview is a treat. Enjoy it. Even the not-so-perfect bits will make forHotels In Asia Search
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