Aitken Spence Hotels, Sri Lanka will re-launch its successful Tea Factory Hotel under its up-market ‘Heritance’ brand, the company announced last week.

Since its launch in 1996, the hotel which was built around an abandoned tea factory on Heathersett Estate is focused on a tea theme and has gained a reputation for being an unusual holiday attraction.

Visitors can experience life on a tea estate as it was during the colonial era, the company said and includes features such as tea themed cuisine and cocktails. Guests can also pluck their own tea and watch it being processed and packed at the hotel’s micro tea factory.

The hotel is also positioned as an eco-friendly hotel. Hot water and central heating for example are provided by biomass from locally farmed gliricidia wood instead of diesel.

Waste and water management is based on sustainable recycling processes, while vegetables are organically grown or sourced locally, generating income for the area.

The hotel has also been refurbished with modern luxuries to upgrade to a boutique property.

With its branding as a Heritance resort, The Tea Factory joins Heritance Kandalama, Heritance Ahungalla and Heritance Madurai. (LBO)

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