hotels Archives - GlenMyu Estate Luxury Bed and Breakfast

Are there Michelin Star restaurants in Sri Lanka?

Cookery Courses, Food and Drink, Holiday, Our food menus at GlenMyu Estate, Plant Based Menu, Recipes, Ru's Recipes / By Mikeez

Are there Michelin Star restaurants in Sri Lanka?

Michelin Star restaurants in Sri Lanka.

Given the success of Sri Lankan chefs on Masterchef in the UK and Australia, I was surprised that there are no Michelin Star restaurants in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan food is a great cuisine that has been promoted by successful chef such as Peter Kurivita in Australia and Cynthia Shamulangan in the UK.

Cynthia’s restaurant, Rambutan located in Borough Market in London, features as a recommended restaurant in the Michelin guide. We had the pleasure of hosting Cynthia at GlenMyu Estate when she was in the process of writing her award winning cookbook, Rambutan.

We hope that the success of Brin Pirathapan in the UK and Savindri (Sav) Perera in Australia that this wonderful cuisine will become available in more restaurants around the world.

What is a Michelin Star Restaurant?

In the late 19th Century, the Michelin brothers produced a small guide filled with handy information for travellers. It included maps, information on how to change a tyre, where to fill up on petrol. The magazine also provided recommendations for places to eat and stay.

in 1026 the Michelin Guide started awarding stars for fine dining establishments.

Now the Michelin Guide rates over 30,000 establishments in over 30 territories across three continents.

Australia has its own version to rate fine dining restaurants. The Australian God Food Guide Chef Hat Award rates restaurants throughout Australia. Chef Hats’ are awarded for consistent culinary excellence.

I could only find one restaurant with a Chef’s Hat in Australia. It is Ella by Minoli which is located in Darwin. Minoli De Silva appeared on Australian Masterchef.

We are so proud of our food at GlenMyu Estate

Food is a essential part of the experience for our guests at GlenMyu Estate.

We use the freshest and most local ingredients that we can find. Most of our menu is great for a Plant Based, Vegan or Vegetarian diet. Of course, we also cater for those who want to eat chicken or fish.

We love the positive feedback that our guests say and write about us.

What our guests say

Ru and the team at GlenMyu Estate are very proud of the food that they serve to our guests.

Feedback is important to us as it provides guidance and motivation to provide the best we can for our guests.

We are delighted that we have so many complimentary comments in our customer reviews on Booking.com, Google, TripAdvisor and Airbnb.

Please read our reviews so you can see what our customers think.

We believe that the food we serve at GlenMyu Estate is the icing on the cake for your stay with us in the Sri Lankan Hill country.

Here is an excerpt from a review from Ali (Dubai) from a recent booking.com review.

The food prepared by this lady is better than many food we have tasted in micheline star restaurants around the world

Other comments about our food

“Some of the best food I’ve had the pleasure of eating ever (special shout to Ru’s coconut cake!)”

Charlotte (UK) – Booking.com -April 2024

Nicola (UK) – Booking.com – February 2024

“The food was something else. I can’t rate this place highly enough. I felt so at home here we’re already planning out next trip!”

“it was like staying with friends and Ru’s cooking was to die for. The smell of fresh baked bread in the morning was enough to get us out of bed, and we looked forward to every evening meal, with ingredients straight from the garden.”

Sharon – Oman – April 2024

We are not aiming for a Michelin Star

Although Ru is competitive (she was National Gymnast champion for 5 years) we are not targeting a Michelin Star.

We just want to provide the best experience for our guests at GlenMyu Estate. The food that we serve is an important part of this recipe for the whole experience in the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

Fresh local ingredients are important

One of the important things for us is to source the best local ingredients that we can find.

We believe that keeping food miles to a minimum is good for the planet and you also get the best tasting seasonal products.

Although we grow lots of different fruits, vegetables and spices on the five acres at GlenMyu Estate, we know that we cannot provide the amount of produce we need to feed ourselves and the increasing number of guests.

We also believe that we should support good quality local producers.
There are fruits and vegetables that grow well in different parts of the island and therefore we buy and support local Sri Lankan farmers.

We also think that it would not be neighbourly or good for the local community if we were to be self sufficient. Mushrooms, Kitul Treacle and Jaggery, Organic Tea and Sri Lankan Coffee are some of the foodstuffs that we have found locally.

A tendency towards a Plant Based Menu

The longer we have been living in Sri Lanka, the more we have been moving towards a plant based menu.

It makes sense to us as we are able to grow and source great quality, fresh vegetables, spices and fruits.

Sri Lanka historically had mainly a diet that was full of fruits vegetable and, of course rice.

We are not fully satisfies with the animal husbandry on the island and although we do offer some fish and chicken dishes, a majority of our menu is plant based.

Even the most dedicated carnivores that stay with us can’t help being satisfied with our Sri Lankan sharing platter. We often hear that with the texture of our Jackfruit curry and Mushrooms dishes that they don’t miss meat!

We hope that there will be Michelin Star restaurants in Sri Lanka in the future

It is disappointing that there are no Michelin Star restaurants in Sri Lanka in 2024.
We hope that there will be some in the future!

There are restaurants and hotels around the country that serve spectacular tasting food.
We hope that more chefs in Sri Lanka are inspired by the success of Sri Lankan chefs on Masterchef and other cooking programmes.

During the off season, we at GlenMyu Estate like to travel around the island and we would love to have the choice to eat in a Michelin Star restaurant in Sri Lanka ourselves.

Sharing how we cook Sri Lankan Food

At GlenMyu Estate, we are happy to share.

Ru’s mother has over 50 years experience of cooking Sri Lankan food.

She delights in providing a complimentary Sri Lankan cooking demonstration when our guests order our Sri Lankan sharing platter.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate and experience great Sri Lankan food.

GlenMyu Estate is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.

Stay at GlenMyu Estate as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country

See sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.

We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.

The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more.

Are there Michelin Star restaurants in Sri Lanka? Read More »

The House at GlenMyu Estate, Hotel and Bed & Breakfast, Haputale, Sri Lanka.

Places to Stay near the Pekoe Trail

Hiking in Sri Lanka, The Pekoe Trail / By Mikeez

Places to stay near the Pekoe Trail

The Pekoe Trail is a newly routes 300 kilometre hike in Sri Lanka. If you are participating in the hike you will no doubt look for a comfortable place to stay where you can rest and recuperate. We think that GlenMyu Estate is one of the best choices you can make if you are tackling sections 12,13 & 14 of the Pekoe Trail.

What is the Pekoe Trail?

The Pekoe Trail is a newly developed 300 kilometre long distance walking trail through the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.

Hiking the Pekoe Trail gives you the opportunity to explore the best that Sri Lanka has to offer in an intimate, immersive and sustainable way.

You will discover diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical forests to grasslands whilst you are enchanted by the view across spectacular mountain vistas. The energy that you will feel from the benefits of walking in the environment will be enhanced by the cool, crisp air of the Sri Lankan Hill Country.

During your hike along the Pekoe trail you will also have the opportunity to get to know and understand Sri Lanka’s rich heritage, history & unique culture as you travel through forests, plains, rural villages, and tea plantations.

Where can I find out more information?

Have a look at the official Pekoe Trail Website.

Here you will find information about each of the 22 sections of the trail.

How many stages are there on the Pekoe Trail?

There are 22 stages of the Pekoe Trail.

The anti clockwise loop starts near Kandy and takes you to Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale and Ella.

Of course, you don’t have to complete each stage in order and spending some extra time between stages provides you time to explore some of the wonderful sights and experience that this paradise island has to offer.

Kandy is one of the ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka and is home to the Temple of the Tooth and Perideniya Gardens.

Hatton is located close to Adams Peak where devotees and pilgrims tackle an overnight climb to see the sunrise.

Nuwara Eliya (Little England) is famous for being part of the Tea Country and is a perfect place to visit a Tea Estate and enjoy a tea tasting of the famous Ceylon Tea

In between Nuwara Eliya and Haputale is the UNESCO Heritage site Horton Plains National Park. Hiking the loop within this Montane Cloud Forest includes Lesser World’s End View, Greater World’s End View and Baker’s Falls. Of course there is also an abundance of interesting flora and fauna to discover on the trek.

Haputale is close to Lipton’s Seat where the Scottish Tea Baron used to view his expansive tea estates. The town is also close to Diyaluma and Upper Diyaluma Waterfalls (the 2nd tallest in Sri Lanka).

Ella is an established tourist destination and the railway journey between Ella and Kandy is thought to be one of the most beautiful train rides you can experience.

Ella has bars, restaurants and a Zip Line to enjoy. There are also some tourist must do’s such as Nine Arch Bridge at Demodora, Ravana Waterfall and the short hike to Mini Adam’s Peak.

An ultra Marathon on the Pekoe Trail

Watch a short video about the first Ultra Marathon on the Pekoe Trail.

Can I use an App to help me on the Pekoe Trail?

The Pekoe Trail is a new trail and already it is being mapped on Apps such as All Trails.

Who developed the Pekoe Trail?

The Pekoe Trail was funded by the European Union (EU) with additional support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

It was implemented by IESC on behalf of Sri Lanka Tourism.

Here are some recent videos about the Pekoe Trail.

What stay at GlenMyu Estate?

There are so many reasons to stay at GlenMyu Estate.

3 Kingsize Double Bedrooms with Spectacular Views
2 Spacious Lounges with views over the hills below the house
A Natural Spring-Fed Infinity Swimming Pool
5 Acres of land to explore

Delicious bespoke meals freshly prepared by the host
A selection of places to dine

A place to relax and be closer to nature

Within reach of the following tourist sites

Diyaluma Waterfall and Upper Diyaluma Pools
Horton Plains National Park – Mini Worlds End, Worlds End and Bakers Falls
Adisham Bungalow
Lipton Seat
Dambetenna Tea Factory
Bambarakanda Waterfall
Thangamale Bird Sanctuary
Ella Town
9 Arch Bridge
Little Adams Peak
Ravanna Waterfall

Here is a taster video of what you will encounter during your stay.

You can find a list of other places to stay on the Pekoe Trail here.

Places to Stay near the Pekoe Trail Read More »

A view from the lawn of the the house at GlenMyu Estate, Hotel and Bed & Breakfast, Haputale, Sri Lanka.

Unique Hotels in Sri Lanka

Accommodation, Holiday, Travel / By Mikeez

Unique Hotels in Sri Lanka

There is a drive for holidays to be about new experiences. People want to be off the regular tourist routes. They want to do something that differs from what everyone else is doing. There are some unique hotels in Sri Lanka and perhaps GlenMyu Estate can be considered one of them.

People now want unique experience and that includes discovering and enjoying new types of accommodation.

At GlenMyu Estate, we hope that we provide that new experience that is something. Something a little bit different, from which you will find on your tour of this Paradise Island.

There are some spectacular hotels in fabulous setting around Sri Lanka.
We would never purport today that we can compete with many of the luxurious stays around the island.

There are superb Colonial Bungalows such as Thotalagala, Scottish Planters Bungalow and Mountbatten Bungalow (and many more).

There are five star beach hotels around the coast providing wonderful experiences by the beach with fabulous sunsets. Notable ones include the Galle Face Hotel Colombo, Jetwing Blue Negombo and Maalu Maalu, Pasikuda amongst many others.

There are hotels looking onto UNESCO heritage sites such as Alia Hotel which has a superb view of the Lion Rock.

There are Ayurvedic hotels providing a place of calm and healing such as Saman Villas and Ayurvie Weligama

i Weligama.

When you visit Sri Lanka on holiday you have a variety of styles and experiences at different price points and standards.

There are a great many home-stays around the country which offer an experiencer to get to understand the ways of life for most of the population on the island.

What makes a unique hotel in Sri Lanka?

Well, I suppose it must be something different.

Does GlenMyu Estate fit the definition of a unique hotel in Sri Lanka.

Small and beautiful

We feel that the Covid pandemic has shifted the demand for larger hundred room plus hotels towards smaller personal spaces.

We only have three bedrooms available for guests at GlenMyu Estate which gives a sense of uniqueness and privacy. We have several pathways around the five acre estate which means that you can always have space for yourself.

Limiting the number of guests also ensures that there is no pressure on using the swimming pool. We do not have to allocate slots like other hotels.

Being small also means that we don’t offer large buffets and a large range of menu options for meals. Ruwanthi discusses each meal with our guests and makes fresh bespoke dishes for our clients.

A holiday in a “Grand Designs” home?

Ruwanthi and I loved watching the Grand Designs series whilst we were living in the UK. The presenter, Kevin McCloud, has a soothing, comforting and calming voice whilst narrating the builders struggles as they try to create their dream home.

One of our recent guests tried to describe GlenMyu Estate and said that it was like holidaying in a Grand Designs home. What a good idea for a holiday!

GlenMyu Estate is certainly Ruwanthi’s creation and our struggle and we are touched that a guest would describe it in that way.

Like the other couples, we are just delighted that we finished the project, still together and over budget like everyone else!

Decide for yourself!

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

We think it is the right of our guests to decide whether GlenMyu Estate fits into the category of a unique hotel in Sri Lanka.

Whatever your decision, we love it here, and hope that you do too.

Where is GlenMyu Estate?

Find out more at our website GlenMyu Estate, Haputale

Unique Hotels in Sri Lanka Read More »