Overview
Cinnamon Mount is a stunning, hill top residence positioned to command the outstanding panorama of nearby Weligama and Mirissa, the rolling inland hill country and the mighty Indian Ocean.
Mirissa Hills is a working cinnamon estate of 40 acres, allowing interested guests to enjoy demonstrations by manager Thilak Gamini of the process of cultivation and 'harvesting' of the age-old 'crop'-the inner bark of the tropical evergreen tree. It is increasingly valued in today's world as its health giving properties include naturally reducing the level of blood sugar.
Cinnamon Mount was designed by architect C. Anjelandran, a protege of Geoffrey Bawa's, who believed his work should provide "a meditative refuge from the tragedy and trauma of life". This contemporary bungalow is therefore serene and uncluttered, furnished with an engaging mix of antique and modern pieces and hung with carefully chosen work representing the younger contemporary Sri Lankan artists.
The large open plan living area has spectacular views of the ocean, becoming quite breathtaking at nightfall as the sun slides out of sight, leaving a fiery glow. A wonderful Sri Lankan sculpture acts as a room divider between sitting and dining rooms, and opposing glass doors ensure a comforting, cool sea breeze.
There are 3 double bedroom suites with verandahs and a further single room. Each bedroom has a modern, well equipped ensuite bathroom. The large kitchen is designed with western style in mind, for those who wish to practise their own culinary skills, but the comprehensive management team includes a cook who will present a daily menu of excellent Sri Lankan and western dishes, flexible to your own requirements. Service is friendly, yet discreet and professional. House boys maintain the villa in pristine condition and the pool boy and 24hr security guard ensure your comfort and safety in all other areas.
There is a tempting deep blue swimming pool in the courtyard garden and a generous supply of loungers for the sun worshippers. Mirissa Bay offers a private beach for picnics or paddling and nearby activities such as bird watching, river trips and diving will fill your days. A little further afield is historic Galle with its sophisticated boutiques and restaurants, the Sigyiria Rain Forest and many places of wonderment like the Rock Monastery of Murigakela.
The Bungalow
The bungalow, just 10mins walk from Cinnamon Mount, on the edge of the estate, is available with the main house or may be booked independently. With a traditional high roofed, Walauwa design giving plenty of ventilation, it sits in a clearing amidst well kept lawns. It is a delightful, fret-work adorned, ochre coloured building restored and refurbished to the same high standard as the 'Big House'. The sitting room is light and airy and opens onto a beautiful dining room with an astonishing 'single plank' table, seating 10 or more. There are three double bedrooms, each with en suite showers and toilets. The bungalow has the services of a cook and a houseboy. Breakfast, light lunches and dinner are available, with a choice of western or Sri Lankan dishes. Guests may use the pool at Cinnamon Mount by arrangement.
The Museum
Purpose-built to combine the story of cinnamon with adjoining 4 air conditioned double rooms set in their own courtyard. Simply but well furnished, each room has its own en suite bathroom with shower and toilet. At night the courtyard becomes an attractive candle-lit dining area and bar.
The building houses specially commissioned paintings and sculptures, including a magnificent statue of the mythical phoenix who, legend has it, on his last night gathered branches of cinnamon to create a funeral pyre from which a new born bird would emerge.
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Rooms
Cinnamon Mount
There are 4 large bedrooms, one in each corner of the bungalow, each with an ensuite bathroom and amazing views from the shuttered windows over the estate. Each has a verandah which is extremely private.
The bed linen is fresh and comfortable but we would like to have seen a little more sophistication in the style. However, this is not intended to be a flash and chintzy villa as it would be incongruous with the serene nature of its surroundings.
The bathrooms are spacious and quite luxurious; small details like cinnamon toiletries and the 'loo' paper being kept in a small tea chest add to the charming character of the bungalow.
The master suite has an attached sitting room and library and opens on the South side to a verandah overlooking the lawns and ocean. A large king size bedroom with air conditioning, or nets and a fan should you prefer.
On the North West corner is a second spacious suite with ensuite bathroom. In between the two suites is a large guest bathroom and an ideal place for sandy wet children after they have been playing around the pool.
The central courtyard is vast and comprises a small lawn and the swimming pool.
On the East side are two further rooms ideal for children and a nanny. One spacious twin/double room and opposite, a twin room with one standard single and one small child's bed. Perfect for a toddler and nanny.
The villa can be shared between 2 separate couples when the entire villa is not booked exclusively by one party.
The villa is well spaced out and you are guaranteed privacy and quiet. Parents may wish to bring a baby intercom system for extra peace of mind.
Mirissa Hills Bungalow
At the foot of the estate there is the further small, modest, yet charming Mirissa Bungalow (originally the gatekeeper's cottage) Its ochre exterior looks delightful and the interior is full of character and wonderful wooden craftsmanship. There are 3 bedrooms - 2 twins and a double- sharing one large and one bijou bathroom. The central dining area is the main social point although the outer verandah area is ideal for relaxed evenings. The bungalow has shutter windows throughout and interesting artwork filling the walls, but has a no-frills ambience. Two staff will look after you and your meals will be wonderfully prepared by the main Cinnamon Mount chef. Ideally located for those in need of privacy and an easy 10 minute drive to Mirissa's fabulous beach. Suitable for couples or small families or guests of the main villa.
The museum (opening 2007)
This new building was conceived as a tribute to the spice long known in Sri Lanka for its health giving properties and as a delicious food enhancer. The museum section traces the history and increasing commercialism of cinnamon production as well as providing a showcase for some spectacular contemporary Sri Lankan art work. A secluded courtyard is surrounded by 4 air conditioned double bedrooms which are furnished in simple, classical style with cheerful, colourful fabrics. Their bathrooms have showers with plentiful hot and cold water. The adjoining terrace is well provided with inviting loungers from where you can sip your Planters' Punch, lazily surveying the slopes of cinnamon leading down to the mighty Indian Ocean.
This collection of villas/rooms may be enjoyed separately or rented in total for a large party, wedding or family gathering.
Dining
Dining can be at the location of your choosing and the choice is wide - : dining room, verandah, beside the pool, on the Mount overlooking the view.
The chef prepares mouthwatering dishes with an extensive menu including both Eastern and Western dishes. They request orders by early morning to ensure the freshest produce is sought at the daily market or picked from the surrounding plantation, but even last minute requests are turned around swiftly and deliciously.
We bathed by the pool during the day after a feast of sandwiches and fresh juice for lunch but long stayers can indulge in numerous tasty salads and savoury bites. Traditional curry and rice is always available too.
Dinner service was so refined yet very relaxed. After sun down the statuary was bathed in floodlights and the ambience was very romantic. We dined on the best carrot soup I have ever had- a spicey kick and the sweetest carrots.
Grilled baracuda and garlic prawns with salad for main course, finishing with home made and home grown Cinnamon pancakes with vanilla icecream.
Mirissa Hills is not licensed along with most hotels and “small hotels” to serve Wines & Spirits. These can be obtained for you if requested.
Things to do & local tips
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Why would you leave this relaxing villa with its fabulous views? However there is much to see and Mirissa boasts a very wide, quiet beach.
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The villa can provide 4 WD for day trips to the beach just a 15 minute drive away. Mirissa is a beautiful beach and there are many guesthouse/ cafes where you can relax with drinks and snacks
- The Cinnamon estate has its own museum neighbouring the villa. The finest grade of Cinnamon is grown here and the museum is the only one of its kind in Sri lanka, offering history and interactive demonstrations of the planting, medicinal and cooking properties of the Cinnamon plant. Talk to the peelers, taste the cinnamon and take your own supply home to spice up your cooking.
- Handunugoda is a sister tea plantation where the world's most expensive white tea is produced. Enjoy a unique tea tasting opportunityat theProprietor's bungalow.
- West Charley Mount is a coconut plantation owned by a local Sri Lankan family. Take a walk through the swaying palm trees to your destination where you will enjoy a typical rice and curry lunch prepared in clay pots over a cinnamon wood fire. The result is a very special Sri Lankan flavour. Continue the coconut trail to watch the weaving of coconut mats until you reach an ancient Buddhist temple where you may receive a special blessing.
- Fishing trips can be arranged at the harbour.
- An array of water sports is now available nearby. A group of local people who lost their fishing livelihood following the Tsunami has been professionally trained by a British couple to safely offer all major water sports activities
- The blow hole is just 45 minutes away. A spectacular sight best seen April - August.
- The National safrai Parks of Uda Walawe and Yala are 1.5 and 2 hours away respectively, where you will see, elephants, leopards and wild boar.
Wedding at Cinnamon Mount
We cannot imagine a more romantic and spectacular location for a wedding than at the Mount. Bespoke ceremonies can include flowers, music and reception of your choosing. Arrangements are handled by the manager and further details can be sought from Boutique Sri Lanka consultants.
Mirissa Hills Boutique bungalows have the capacity to host small weddings,
along with accommodation for groups not exceeding 14 persons.If the wedding party consists of more than 14 persons accommodation could be found in nearby hotels.
Dinner, short eats (Sri Lankan for substatial snacks), meals could be provided for a group of 30 persons.
Our services include,
a) The Registrar- who will officiate at the Ceremony at the main bungalow
b) A master of ceremonies who will guide the couple through the ceremony.
If a Sri Lankan wedding is required, this will take 30 minutes and the couple will be
taken through the country's wedding rituals.
c)The ceremony is usually accompanied by conch shell blowers, a wedding drummer,
and a group of young girls singing a very melodious blessing (Jayamangala Gatha)
d)Flower bouquets and buttonholes.
e)Champagne for the wedding couple.
f) Traditional wedding stage
The halls and the garden area will be very tastefully decorated with natural flowers, the
choice of the couple would be considered if prior arrangements are made.