Mara River Tented Camp

Rosyth Estate House and the 62 acre tea plantation was purchased by the Marikkar family in 1978 and remains in the family today. After a period of 30 years of not being inhabited, the Estate House was completely refurbished in 2010. Stemming from a background of 30 years’ experience as a retail travel agent in London and more recently as a tour operator to the island, Farzana Marikkar Dobbs and her husband Neil have invested their deep knowledge of service industries & luxury travel into the Rosyth Estate House. Drawing inspiration from the countless properties that Neil and Farzana have visited across the globe, the Rosyth Estate House is their brainchild and reflects not only the Colonial and Sri Lankan history of the Bungalow; but the decades of experience in the Travel Industry that has led them to running this truly stunning, hilltop paradise.

Given the fact the valley in which the Estate House is situated only received electricity access in 2008, the story of the Hotel has been intertwined with the developments of the local area. From a derelict colonial bungalow, a luxurious but humble property has emerged. Starting the renovations in 2010, the original house was transformed, creating an initial 3 bedrooms in the main house, all of which tastefully restoring the Planters Bungalow to its original 1926 house. Following this, in 2013 the owners decided to expand the facilities by adding a swimming pool, dining pavilion, outdoor Sala and two additional freestanding rooms sitting adjacent; all of which were built to complement the existing facilities on site at the Rosyth Estate House. Since these works, we have added our Plantation Suites in 2016, built with the best views yet, as well as our Spa which was completed at the end of 2015. The latest addition is the new rock villa perched on the top of the Rock - a luxurious 2 bedroom villa With its own plunge pool ideal for families or 2 couples traveling together.

Suite - Banyan on the Rock

This junior suite extends over 45 m2 and is accessed by its own front door. When sold with the Rock Suite it interconnects through the living room to form the Rock Villa. The large bedroom is furnished with colonial style furniture including an imposing antique four poster king size bed, plus a day bed. The panoramic full width windows open up on to a raised terrace with uninterrupted views over the valley.

The large bathroom has double wash basins and a rainfall shower. The suite includes a small mini-bar, complimentary soft drinks, coffee and tea making facilities and an Nespresso machine. A blue tooth speaker is provided for your entertainment.

The suite interconnect with the Rock suite, The villa perched high on a rock, an inspired architectural design, welcomes spectacular 360 degree views of the lush vegetation in the surrounding hills. The light interiors with a touch of color, give the best opportunity to showcase a contemporary yet colonial tropical style. The soft furnishing of the owner’s villa has been influenced by the surrounding flora and fauna.

A feeling of relaxed sophistication flows throughout, attracting the discerning experiential traveller and guests seeking a tropical island escape in the hills; lounge by the plunge pool, shower under the stars, wake up to the sounds of the birds as dawn breaks over the misty mountains. You may never want to leave the villa but the main house is just steps away along a paved pathway flanked by mahogany and mango trees. Meals are taken in the dining pavilion in the main house.

Situated approximately 150 meters from the main house and reached by 40 steps, the villa also benefits from its own exclusive drive way. Consisting of the Rock master suite, with its private living room and interconnecting Banyan suite & the villa extends over 226 m2. The two suites can be sold independently or when combined guests have exclusive use of the whole villa. The villa on the rock is ideal for 2 couples or family of 4 adults and can accommodate up to 2 additional children.

Plantation Tea Suite

Nestled among the tea bushes and pepper vines and opened in the summer 2016 , the Plantation Suites are situated in a separate building approximately 50 meters from the front of the main house. The Pepper suite is the less expensive suite and is situated on the lower floor of this two level unit. The Tea suite has the best view from any of the rooms and is located on the upper floor. There is a separate sitting area of the Tea suite which is ideal for a child. The two suites interconnect or can be booked individually. The Pepper Suite has twin beds which can also be configured as a super king double bed. The interior design and choice of furniture is in keeping with the plantation theme. Tucked away within the room there is a mini bar incorporating tea and coffee making facilities. Folding patio doors open up on to large enclosed outdoor terrace / living area with expansive views to the front elevation & with a step down on to a private outdoor garden area. There is a sizable bathroom with indoor rainfall shower, double washbasins and a large outdoor bath on the terrace. Being elevated from the main house and reached up a sweeping staircase, the Plantation Suites are not suitable for clients with walking difficulties. There are steep drops from the terrace and garden of the Pepper Suite and children need close supervision.

Suite - Plantation Pepper suite

Nestled among the tea bushes and pepper vines and newly opened in the summer 2016 , the Plantation Suites are situated in a separate building approximately 50 meters from the front of the main house. The Pepper suite is situated on the lower floor of this two level unit. Accessed from the entrance lobby, this gorgeous suite has twin beds which can also be configured as a super king double bed. The interior design and choice of furniture is in keeping with the plantation theme. There is room for a child bed and a cot or one full size extra child bed. Tucked away within the room there is a mini bar incorporating tea and coffee making facilities.

Folding patio doors open up on to large enclosed outdoor terrace / living area with expansive views to the front elevation & with a step down on to a private outdoor garden area. There is a large bathroom with indoor rainfall shower, double washbasins and a large outdoor bath on the terrace.

Being elevated from the main house and reached up a sweeping staircase, the Plantation Suites are not suitable for clients with walking difficulties. There are steep drops from terrace and garden of the Pepper Suite and children need close supervision.

Deluxe Rooms

These elegant rooms are a little more indulgent than the classic rooms, with larger bathrooms, double wash basins, two have four-poster beds and all offering some private outdoor space. Coconut and Lime interconnect and are normally reserved for families looking to book interconnecting deluxe rooms. Cinnamon offers limited disabled access and is the best option for those with limited mobility.

Classic Family

Cardamom is a double classic room accessed directly from the living room of the main house and has a king size double bed. The large room has space for an additional single bed or cot. Double patio doors open up into a small foyer and then out on to the side of the front terrace. For families looking for a cost effective solution and happy to share a bathroom, the Palm room (twin bed with no bathroom) can be booked in conjunction with Cardamom and securely interconnects through the private lobby. The two rooms form the Classic family rooms. Palm has twin single beds and is perfect for children who want the privacy of their own room but will share the bathroom in the Cardamom room. Palm can also be configured as a private air-conditioned sitting room for couples looking for a little more private space. and want to be close to the living and dining rooms. 

Estate Walks

Rosyth is a small working estate. Tea is plucked by hand and sold to the nearby tea factory, whilst latex is tapped, treated and sold to a local rubber factory. Coconuts, fruits, spices and other produce are grown on the estate. The Estate contains walking trails & mountain biking routes by the hotel recommends sticking to the paths and estate roads. Guests are free to explore the estate and join the ladies plucking two leaves and a bud from the tea bushes. Most afternoons at approximately 4.30 the estate superintendent (if available) will take guest for a walk around the estate to show the produce and how it is processed.

Wild Life

Sri Lanka is one of the smallest, but biologically diverse countries in Asia. Consequently it is recognized as a Biodiversity hotspot of global and national importance. Its varied climate and topographical conditions have given rise to this rich species diversity, believed to be the highest in Asia in terms of unit land area. You will undoubtedly meet some of the other inhabitants of the Estate House however why not grab a pair of binoculars and a bird book and spend an afternoon or morning watching the countless variety of birds; from Sri Lankan Grey Hornbills to Crested Serpent Eagles; or catch a sight of the Macaque Monkeys that also call the Rosyth Estate House home.

Treasure Hunts

Surprise your children with a treasure hunt. The Treasure hunt is fun, interactive and creative and you can tailor them for your kids. Our staff will scatter the picture cards of the fruit and spices that grow in the gardens around the house. The cards will be placed at the base of the tree/plant. With such a large selection of fruit and spice growing around the house we have had such fun creating and designing. Our team will be able to help you to guide younger children. The trees and plants papaya, coffee, lime, pepper, rambutan, jack, coconut, cinnamon, clove, tea, avacado & cardamom. Suitable for children 3-11. We suggest parents should supervise.

Rosyth Tea Factory

Rosyth Tea Factory (10 minutes) Just a few minutes’ walk from the house is the local tea factory & whilst not part of our estate, guests are welcome to visit the factory and understand how the tea we grow, is turned into fine tea for export. Many concur that Sri Lanka Tea is the best in the world. The tea grown at Rosyth is particularly popular in the Middle East. The old orthodox method of tea processing produces the liquor of the Unbroken Flower Orange Pekoe in its most superior grade. You will have the opportunity to purchase tea at the factory to take home.

A short tour will take through the factory where the fresh leaves are dried by fans on withering troughs to reduce the moisture content and then rolled and pressed to express the juices which coat the leaves. The leaves are then left to ferment in humidity. The final process dries the leaves and then the leaves are graded. Unbroken being the best quality, fannings and the dust which is the quality used in tea bags.

To see more on Rosyth Estate click HERE