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We’ll be honest with you, before visiting Ella, we didn’t know too much about it. We knew that in recent years it had boomed in popularity, particularly with digital nomads, young backpackers and travellers looking for a few days of cooler mountain air away from the heat of Sri Lanka’s south coast.
We also knew that Ella was the end point of the train journey we were taking through Sri Lanka’s hill country. In our minds, the train journey itself was going to be the main highlight and Ella would simply be where we got off at the end of it.
As it turns out, we were very wrong.
There is so much more to Ella than simply being the end point of one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. From the moment you arrive, the surrounding landscape makes it clear why people are choosing to stay for longer. Ella is surrounded by misty mountains, endless green tea plantations, waterfalls and spectacular viewpoints, with plenty of things to see and do beyond the famous railway journey.
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The train ride, usually travelling through the mountains between Kandy and Ella, is certainly one of Sri Lanka’s great experiences, winding through tea country, forests and dramatic mountain scenery. But once you arrive, there’s the iconic Nine Arch Bridge to discover, Little Adam’s Peak to climb, Ella Rock to hike, waterfalls upon waterfalls and plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside.
The town itself is relatively small and easy to explore, but where you stay in Ella can make a big difference to your experience. Accommodation is spread across the surrounding hills, tea plantations and valleys, so you can stay right in the middle of town with restaurants and cafés on your doorstep, wake up to incredible views of Ella Gap from a hillside hotel, or escape into the countryside near Nine Arch Bridge.
And that’s exactly what we’re going to help you with in this guide.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Ella, Sri Lanka, we’ll take you through the best areas and places to stay, from the convenience of Ella Town to peaceful hillside retreats with incredible mountain views. We’ll also cover the best hotels for couples, families and different budgets, so you can find the right base for your time in Ella.
How to Use This Guide
Use the Contents table below to jump to any section. Click a heading in the guide to return to the top and continue exploring.
Contents
Ella might look small on a map, but choosing the right place to stay can have a big impact on how you spend your time here. Some accommodation is right in the middle of the action, while other hotels are tucked away in the hills where the views and peaceful surroundings are the main attraction.
The good news is that there isn't really a bad area to stay in Ella. It's more about finding somewhere that fits your plans.
If you're planning to make the most of Ella's restaurants and cafés, staying close to the centre will make life much easier. If you're coming here for the scenery, hiking and a slower pace, we'd look at the hills outside town instead. And if Nine Arch Bridge is high on your list, staying on that side of Ella means you can get there early before the crowds arrive.
We've broken down the main areas below, including what each is like, who they're best suited to and what to expect when it comes to getting around.
Ella Town
Best for | First-time visitors, restaurants, nightlife and travelling without a car
For most visitors, Ella Town is the easiest place to stay, particularly if this is your first trip to Ella or you're travelling around Sri Lanka by train.
The town is small enough to explore on foot, but there is plenty going on, with restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and tour operators all clustered around the main streets. Ella Railway Station is also within walking distance, which is handy if you're arriving on the famous Kandy to Ella train and don't want to arrange transport to your hotel.
Staying centrally also means you can easily head out for dinner in the evening without worrying about finding a tuk-tuk to get you back up into the hills. Little Adam's Peak and Nine Arch Bridge are both accessible from town too, although you'll still want to allow some time for the walks.
The trade-off is that Ella Town is the busiest and most built-up part of the area. It doesn't have quite the same peaceful, surrounded-by-nature feel as some of the accommodation in the hills, and the best mountain views tend to come with a little more distance from the centre.
If convenience is your priority, though, it's difficult to beat. For a shorter stay of one or two nights, especially without your own transport, we'd seriously consider staying here.
Passara Road & Little Adam’s Peak
Best for | Mountain views, couples, hiking and boutique hotels
If the scenery is one of the main reasons you've come to Ella, the area around Passara Road and Little Adam's Peak is well worth considering.
As you head away from the centre, the buildings quickly give way to tea plantations, forest and open mountain views. This is where you'll find some of Ella's most scenic accommodation, including several boutique hotels and higher-end resorts where the setting is very much part of the experience.
You're also in a great position for Little Adam's Peak, which is one of the easiest and most rewarding hikes around Ella. Depending on exactly where you stay, you can often walk from your hotel to the trail rather than having to arrange transport.
The downside is that getting back into Ella Town isn't quite as straightforward as staying in the centre. Some properties are high up on the hillsides, so while it's only a short distance on the map, you'll probably want a tuk-tuk after dinner rather than tackling the walk back.
For us, this is one of the areas we'd look at first if waking up to those famous Ella mountain views is high on your list. You're close to some of the area's best-known sights, but the atmosphere feels much more peaceful once you leave the centre behind.
Kithal Ella
Best for | Peace and quiet, mountain views and a more relaxed stay
If Ella Town feels a little too busy for you, Kithal Ella is a great alternative. Just outside the centre, this area feels much more rural, with accommodation dotted among the greenery and hills rather than concentrated along busy streets.
There are plenty of smaller guesthouses and boutique properties here, and many make the most of their elevated position with balconies and terraces overlooking the surrounding countryside. It's a good option if you'd rather start the day with a coffee and a view than step straight out into the hustle and bustle of Ella.
The compromise is that you'll have fewer restaurants and cafés within easy walking distance. Most visitors staying in Kithal Ella will use a tuk-tuk to get into town for dinner or to reach some of the main sights, although the journey is usually quick and inexpensive.
For couples or anyone looking for a quieter side of Ella, Kithal Ella is a good middle ground. You can still reach the town easily when you want to, but your accommodation feels much more removed from the crowds when you return.
Nine Arch Bridge & Demodara
Best for | Nature, photography, Nine Arch Bridge and getting away from the crowds
For a stay that feels much more connected to Ella's countryside, look towards Nine Arch Bridge and Demodara. Once you leave the centre behind, the landscape becomes noticeably greener, with tea plantations, forest and jungle replacing the busy streets and cafés.
The obvious advantage is being close to Nine Arch Bridge, one of Ella's most recognisable sights. Staying nearby means you can get up early and walk to the bridge before the main groups arrive, giving you a much better chance of enjoying the scenery without quite so many people around. It's also a particularly good option if you're interested in photography, as the surrounding railway and jungle-covered hills make for some spectacular views.
There are a handful of guesthouses, villas and boutique stays scattered around this part of Ella, although you won't have anywhere near the same choice of restaurants and shops as you would in town.
You'll therefore be more reliant on tuk-tuks when you want to head into Ella for dinner or explore further afield. For us, that's a worthwhile trade-off if being surrounded by nature and having Nine Arch Bridge nearby matters more to you than having everything on your doorstep.
Now that you know a little more about the different areas, it's time to look at the accommodation itself. There are a huge number of places to stay in Ella, from simple guesthouses and family-run stays to boutique hotels and some seriously impressive luxury resorts.
98 Acres Resort & Spa
98 Acres Resort & Spa is one of Ella's most impressive places to stay, set within a working tea estate with individual chalets surrounded by mountains and greenery. With an infinity pool, spa and incredible views, this is somewhere we'd choose if the hotel itself is going to be a big part of your Ella experience.
EKHO Ella
EKHO Ella sits above Ella Gap, with many of its rooms making the most of the spectacular mountain views. It's a peaceful option away from the busiest part of town, while still being close enough to Ella's restaurants and main attractions, making it a great choice for couples looking for a comfortable hillside stay.
Morning Dew Boutique Hotel Ella
Morning Dew Boutique Hotel combines a convenient location with some fantastic views across Ella, and its rooftop swimming pool is a particularly nice place to relax after a day of exploring. It's a good mid-range option if you want the scenery and atmosphere of a hillside hotel without being too far from town.
The Pinnacle Ella
The Pinnacle Ella, formerly Mountain Heavens, is perched above Ella with sweeping views across the surrounding mountains and Ella Gap. Its elevated position gives it a quieter feel than staying in the centre, while you're still only a short tuk-tuk ride from Ella's restaurants and attractions.
Ravana Heights
Ravana Heights is just a short distance from Ella's centre, making it a useful option if you want to stay close to the action without giving up your mountain views. Rooms and suites have private balconies overlooking Ella Rock and Ella Gap, with larger options also available for families.
Zion View Ella
Zion View Ella is a great option if you're looking for somewhere more affordable while still enjoying the scenery that makes Ella so special. The elevated position gives you views across the surrounding hills, while the town is close enough to reach easily by foot or tuk-tuk.
Ella Flower Garden Resort
Ella Flower Garden Resort is surrounded by lush gardens on the hillside towards Little Adam's Peak, giving it a peaceful setting away from the centre. Its location is particularly handy if hiking is high on your Ella itinerary, while the gardens and larger accommodation options make it a good choice for families.
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Use our interactive map of Ella below to find your perfect place to stay.
Let's be honest, the views are a big part of the reason to visit Ella. Waking up surrounded by green mountains and tea plantations is one of the things that makes staying here so special, and there are plenty of hotels that make the most of their hillside locations.
For the best views, look towards Passara Road, Little Adam's Peak and Kithal Ella, where hotels sit higher up in the hills overlooking Ella Gap and the surrounding countryside. Properties such as 98 Acres Resort & Spa, EKHO Ella, The Pinnacle Ella and Ravana Heights are all worth considering if the view from your room is high on your list.
When booking, though, don't just look at how close a hotel appears to Ella Town on a map. Ella is incredibly hilly, and a property that looks like a short walk away can involve a surprisingly steep climb. The further up the hillside you go, the more likely you'll be reaching for a tuk-tuk when heading into town.
For us, that's a pretty good trade-off. If you're going to spend a few days in Ella, we'd rather wake up to an incredible mountain view and take a short tuk-tuk ride for dinner than stay in the centre with a less impressive outlook.
One of the great things about Ella is that you don't need your own transport to get around. If you're travelling through Sri Lanka by train or bus, Ella is actually a pretty easy place to visit without a car.
For the most convenient stay, we'd choose somewhere in or close to Ella Town. The centre is compact, with plenty of restaurants, cafés and shops within walking distance, while Ella Railway Station is close by if you're arriving on the famous train journey. Little Adam's Peak and Nine Arch Bridge are also accessible on foot, although be prepared for some hills along the way.
If you choose a hotel further up the surrounding hills, you'll probably get better views and a quieter setting, but you'll be more reliant on tuk-tuks. Fortunately, they're easy to find around Ella, so this isn't a major inconvenience.
Ultimately, we'd choose based on what matters most to you. Stay in town if you want to walk everywhere, or head into the hills if you'd prefer better views and don't mind using a tuk-tuk when you need to.
Ella is a great choice for couples, particularly if you like the idea of mixing adventure and beautiful scenery with a relaxing place to stay. You can spend the day hiking to Ella Rock or Little Adam's Peak, exploring tea plantations or visiting Nine Arch Bridge, then return to a hotel with a pool and mountain views.
If you're planning something special, 98 Acres Resort & Spa is an obvious choice, with its beautiful tea-estate setting and incredible views. For something closer to town, EKHO Ella and Morning Dew Boutique Hotel offer a good balance of scenery and convenience.
Alternatively, look towards Kithal Ella or the Nine Arch Bridge area for a quieter stay away from the centre. These areas have a more peaceful feel and are particularly appealing if you'd rather wake up surrounded by nature than be right in the middle of town.
Ella can work really well for families, but location and space are probably more important than having the fanciest hotel. You'll likely be spending much of your time out exploring, so somewhere with a pool, room to relax and easy access by tuk-tuk can make life much easier.
Ravana Heights is worth considering for its larger family rooms and suites, while 98 Acres Resort & Spa has two-bedroom accommodation and separate pool areas for adults and children. Staying outside the centre can also give families more space and a quieter environment, which is particularly useful after a day of hiking.
One thing to keep in mind is that Ella is very hilly. A hotel that looks close to the centre on a map might involve a steep walk, so if you're travelling with young children, check the location carefully and don't be afraid to use tuk-tuks when getting around.
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There's no right or wrong answer here, and after looking at the different areas, it really comes down to convenience or the experience you want from your accommodation.
Stay in Ella Town if you want restaurants and cafés within easy walking distance, you're travelling without transport, you're only staying for a night or two, or you simply don't want to think about getting a tuk-tuk every time you head out.
Stay outside Ella if you'd rather have more peace, better mountain views and a hotel surrounded by greenery. You'll be a little further from the action, but tuk-tuks make getting into town easy enough.
If it were us, we'd probably choose somewhere just outside the centre. Ella Town is easy to reach when you want to head out for dinner or explore, but there's something much more appealing about waking up surrounded by tea plantations and mountains rather than being right in the middle of town.
For most trips, we'd recommend spending two/three nights in Ella. This gives you enough time to explore the town, visit Nine Arch Bridge, hike Little Adam's Peak and enjoy the surrounding scenery without having to rush between everything.
If you want to hike Ella Rock, visit Ravana Falls, explore a tea plantation or simply have more time to enjoy your hotel and the mountain scenery, we'd stay for three nights instead.
We'd avoid trying to squeeze Ella into a single night if you can help it. The scenery is a big part of the experience, and this is one of those places where slowing down and enjoying your surroundings is just as important as ticking off the sights.
What is the best area to stay in Ella?
Ella Town is the most convenient option for first-time visitors, while Passara Road, Little Adam's Peak and Kithal Ella are better suited to those looking for mountain views and a quieter stay.
Is it better to stay in Ella Town or outside town?
Ella Town is best for restaurants, cafés and convenience, while staying outside the centre gives you more peace and better views. Tuk-tuks make it easy to travel between the two.
What are the best hotels to stay in Ella?
Some of our favourite options include 98 Acres Resort & Spa, EKHO Ella, Morning Dew Boutique Hotel and Ravana Heights, with plenty of other hotels and guesthouses available across Ella.
Where should I stay in Ella for the best views?
Look towards Passara Road, Little Adam's Peak and Kithal Ella. These hillside areas have some of the best views across Ella Gap, the surrounding mountains and tea plantations.
How many nights should I stay in Ella?
Two nights is enough to see the main sights, while three nights gives you more time for Ella Rock, waterfalls, tea plantations and exploring the surrounding countryside.
Can you walk around Ella?
Yes. Ella Town is compact and easy to explore on foot, and you can walk to several of the main attractions. However, the surrounding hills can be steep, so a tuk-tuk is often easier for reaching hillside accommodation.
Do you need a car in Ella?
No, you can easily get around Ella using a combination of walking and tuk-tuks. A car is useful if you're planning to explore further afield, but isn't necessary for most visitors. We highly recommend using Asia Someday to organise the logistics for your Sri Lanka adventure, click this link to get 15% off Asia Somedays booking fees.
Is Ella expensive?
Ella has accommodation for almost every budget, from simple guesthouses and hostels to luxury tea-estate resorts. Prices can vary considerably depending on the type of accommodation and time of year.
Is Ella a good place to stay for couples?
Yes. The mountain scenery, hiking and tea plantations make Ella a great destination for couples, with plenty of boutique hotels and hillside properties offering a more romantic setting.
Is Ella good for families?
Yes. We'd look for accommodation with plenty of space, a pool and easy access by tuk-tuk. Family rooms and larger properties can make a stay in Ella much more comfortable.
How far is Nine Arch Bridge from Ella?
Nine Arch Bridge is close enough to reach on foot from Ella, although the exact distance depends on where you're staying. Staying nearby means you can visit early in the morning before the main crowds arrive.
Is it worth staying near Nine Arch Bridge?
It can be, particularly if you want a quieter stay surrounded by nature or want to visit Nine Arch Bridge early in the day. The trade-off is having fewer restaurants and cafés within walking distance than you would in Ella Town.
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