Planning a trip and looking for the best places to stay in Ella, Sri Lanka? Whether you’re dreaming of sipping tea on a balcony overlooking misty valleys, or like us and need a budget friendly homestay to use as a base to explore, Ella has something for all travellers. The area is known for its breath-taking views over endless mountain peaks, steep valleys and winding roads. In recent years, Ella has become one of the must-visit stops on everyone’s Sri Lankan Itinerary.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best places to stay in Ella, from luxury eco-retreats like 98 Acres Resort & Spa, to mid-range guesthouses, and backpacker budget friendly hostels and homestays. We’ve also included a unique stays section for travellers looking for something different.
No matter your budget or travel style, this Ella accommodation guide will help you find your perfect base to explore Ella’s best tourist attractions.
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Short On Time? Our Top Hotels In Ella
- Best For Families: Zion View Ella Green Retreat
- Best For Solo Travellers: Hangover Hostel Ella
- Best For Couples: Ella Mount View Guest Inn
- Best For Backpackers: Tunnel Gap Homestay
Best Areas To Stay in Ella
While Ella is a relatively small town, choosing the right area to stay can make a big difference depending on your travel style. Here’s a quick breakdown of the best areas to stay in Ella:
Ella Town – Best for First-Time & Most Visitors
To be within walking distance of Ella’s best cafes & restaurants, the train station, shops and tuktuk stands, staying in the center of Ella is your best bet. We chose to stay at the top of the town and it was a great choice to be near the action. This is the best area for most travellers unless you’re really looking for peace and quiet.
Passara Road – Best Views & Quiet
For families looking to escape the chaos of Ella town, head just a few minutes towards Passara and you’ll find some of Ella’s most scenic stays perched on the hillside. If you’re a nature lover looking for mountain views and quiet nights, then staying here is a great choice with many of the guest houses overlooking tea plantations and jungle.
Near Nine Arches Bridge – Iconic
Located very close to the trail to Nine Arches Bridge are some boutique stays and guesthouses, ideal if you’re looking for a front-row seat to the bridge. However, this area is much further from the main town and you’ll need to get tuktuk taxis around or rent a tuktuk!
Little Adam’s Peak & 98 Acres – Luxury & Hiking Access
Ella’s most famous hillside resorts are located near Little Adam’s Peak, including the luxury 98 Acres resort & spa, the perfect honeymoon treat. Again, this area is further out of town, but perfect if you’re looking for quiet evenings, hiking trails, yoga retreats and luxury jungle escapes.
🗺️ Your Ultimate Sri Lanka Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Sri Lanka. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
Best Budget Places To Stay in Ella $
Tunnel Gap Homestay
- Rating: 4.6
- Best For: Backpackers & Couples
Perched on the top of a hill, our friends stayed in the Tunnel Gap Homestay when we visited and found it to have nice, large and clean rooms. You’ll be welcomed with open arms by the warm family who runs it and be within walking distance from all the best cafes, restaurants and hikes. We stayed in Tunnel Corner Inn right beside it, however it wasn’t as good as we had to book on late notice.
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Hangover Hostel
- Rating: 4.6
- Best For: Solo Travellers & Backpackers
One of Ella’s most social options with a large communal lounge, perfect for solo travellers looking to meet others. Hangover Hostel hosts regular events like movie nights, group dinner and has dorms as well as private rooms. A great atmosphere and in our opinion the best place to stay in Ella for backpackers.
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Minthu Homestay
- Rating: 4.2
- Best For: Backpackers & Couples
A cosy and budget friendly stay offering clean and simple rooms. Located a 10 minute walk from the train station and main town, Minthu is perfect if you’re looking for a basic and comfortable base to explore the area without breaking the bank.
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59B Rest Inn Ella
- Rating: 4.8
- Best For: Backpackers & Couples
Another clean, no-frills room with friendly hosts just a few steps away from the train station and town center. Comfortable beds, decent WiFi and good value for money, perfect for a base to explore all of Ella’s best things to do.
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Chamodya Homestay
- Rating: 4.8
- Best For: Couples
A peaceful homestay with clean rooms and a lovely terrace overlooking the misty mountains in the distance. The friendly hosts, home cooked breakfasts and calm atmosphere make Chamodya a great choice for couples wanting comfort away from the hustle of Ella Town.
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Maleesha Homestay
- Rating: 4.5
- Best For: Couples
A cosy stay with nearly every review mentioning the incredible owners and comfortable rooms. A short walk from the best restaurants Ella has to offer, it’s an ideal spot for couples looking for a family-run homestay.
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Best Mid-Range Stays in Ella $$
Ella Mount View Guest Inn
- Rating: 4.8
- Best For: Couples & Families
A well kept guesthouse offering unreal valley and mountain views. With easy access to the hiking trails in the area including Little Adam’s Peak, the home’s friendly and welcoming vibe makes it a perfect mid-range getaway for couples and families.
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Ella Nine Arch Spice Garden
- Rating: 4.9
- Best For: Couples
Tucked away next to the famous Nine Arch Bridge trail, this hidden gem offers cosy A-Frame rooms, spectacular jungle and mountain views, and an in-house spice garden tour followed by a cooking class. Although a little further away from the town and Ella’s cafes, it’s definitely a more unique place to stay in Ella.
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Winwood Ella
- Rating: 4.9
- Best For: Couples & Families
A boutique style retreat just 600m from Ella’s train station, Winwood Ella has spacious, spotless rooms and balconies overlooking the jungle. The home cooked dinners and fresh breakfasts cooked up by the warming hosts don’t go unnoticed. A nice and comfortable stay in the heart of Ella.
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Lavendra Paradise
- Rating: 4.8
- Best For: Families
One of the best places to stay in Ella without breaking the bank and still getting the incredible mountain valley views. Nestled in the hillside, Lavendra Paradise has modern rooms, big terraces and tasty breakfasts. The quiet location makes it a refreshing escape from Ella’s tourist attractions.
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Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Ella $$
98 Acres Resort & Spa
- Rating: 4.6
- Best For: Families, Couples, Honeymoons & Luxury Escapes
One of the most famous places to stay in Ella, we walked past this resort on the way to hike Little Adam’s Peak, and we recommend stopping off here for a tea even if you’re not staying. The hillside A-Frame huts are perched on the side of a scenic tea estate and is Ella’s most iconic luxury stay. The eco-luxury chalets blend into the landscape and balconies overlooking the steep mountains and valley below. With a spa, infinity pool and gourmet on-site restaurant, 98 Acres is a great choice for honeymooners looking for a treat.
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Zion View Ella Green Retreat
- Rating: 4.7
- Best For: Families & Couples
If 98 Acres is way over budget, then Zion View might be more your style. Set just a short walk from the main town and Ella’s best restaurants, this is a family-friendly luxury retreat with incredible mountain views, a stunning infinity pool and spacious family rooms. Still a super luxury experience, just at a fraction of the price located away from Little Adam’s Peak.
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EKHO Ella
- Rating: 4.6
- Best For: Couples, Honeymooners
Located directly on Ella Gap, EKHO has front-row seats to the sunrise thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows. This hotel is ideal for couples and honeymooners, often putting up little surprises for anniversaries and hot tubs in the suites. With the outdoor pool overlooking the most breathtaking views that Ella has to offer, chances are you’ll find yourself not wanting to leave paradise.
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Chill Ville
- Rating: 4.8
- Best For: Couples & Friends
A boutique hilltop escape with modern villas, private balconies and incredible mountain views. Chill Ville offers a mix of high end design and laid-back vibes, with an outdoor pool and a popular restaurant serving both Western and Sri Lankan dishes.
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Unique and Eco-Stays in Ella $$
Ella Jungle Inn & Treehouse
- Rating: 4.9
A cosy eco-friendly guesthouse nestled in the jungle, offering simple rooms and a quirky treehouse stay. The peaceful setting and friendly host gives you a chance to get closer to nature. We wished we could’ve stayed in this treehouse as it looks incredible!
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Arana Eco Lodge & Yoga Center
- Rating: 4.4
One of the best places to stay in Ella for wellness and yoga, Arana Eco Lodge is a rustic luxury treehouse above Ella Gap, complete with yoga decks and forest immersion.
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Arawe Retreat
- Rating: 4.8
Set in a fairytale 150-year-old cottage in wild rice fields, this retreat offers just a few rooms set in the rural countryside a million miles away from the chaos. As the name suggests, Arawe is a true retreat, perfect for recharging the batteries.
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Where We Stayed in Ella
We visited Ella multiple times during our two month roadtrip around Sri Lanka and stayed in homestays. The first was Ella Tunnel Corner Inn, located right at the top of the town by the tunnel, extremely basic however a perfect location to get to the bars and restaurants in the evening. There are so many homestays around Ella, we actually booked only a few days in advance so there was very limited choice. During peak season especially, the best places to stay in Ella get booked up very quickly so book in advance if you can.
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Best Places To Eat In Ella
From local shacks serving rice and curry to western style boutique restaurants, the best places to eat in Ella will depend on what you’re looking for. Here are a few of our favourites from our where to eat Ella guide:
- Matey Hut: Local
- Cafe UFO: Quirky
- The White Rabbit
- Isle of Gelato: Digital Nomads
Read more of our full guide on the best restaurants in Ella.
🗺️ Your Ultimate Sri Lanka Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Sri Lanka. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
Ella’s Top Things To Do
Don’t Miss Ella’s Best Attractions:
- Ella Tea Plantation Tour
- Ravana Falls and Cave
- Sri Lankan Cooking Class
- Hike Little Adam’s Peak, visit 98 Acres resort for a cup of tea on the way. Once you’re done do the Ravana Zipline or head to Ravana Pool Club to relax.
- Visit the iconic Nine Arch Bridge without the crowds!
- Train ride to Kandy (7 hours), or Badulla (2 hours)
- Hike Ella Rock or another trail on the AllTrails app
- Yoga, Diyaluma Falls, Liptons Seat and so many more things to do in Ella
