Your stay — Hotel Laura
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The Property — Hotel Laura
Hotel Laura is a no-frills three-star perched on a ridge above Ella’s main strip, with a terrace that takes in the full sweep of Little Adam’s Peak and the surrounding tea country. The lobby is compact and tiled, with a small reception desk and a few cane chairs; the real draw is the unimposing efficiency and the fact you can step out your door onto hiking trails within minutes. It suits budget-conscious solo travellers or couples who want clean rooms and reliable hot water rather than resort bells and whistles.
Chronicles of Ella
Ella was a minor tea-plantation outpost under British rule in the late 19th century, connected to Colombo and Badulla by the Demodara Loop railway, which remains its arterial link. Architecturally, the town is a scatter of colonial-era bungalows, guesthouses and modern concrete hotels climbing the hillsides, with no formal town centre. Its contemporary identity is built on backpacker tourism, trekking to Ella Rock and Nine Arch Bridge, and a relaxed café-and-hike culture that sits alongside a devout Sinhalese Buddhist community centred on the Kithalella temple. Tea estates still cover the surrounding slopes, and the town’s character is shaped more by the railway and the landscape than by any official founding moment.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ella guide →Best months
March and April: dry, clear views of the hills, and the tail end of the peak tourist season means fewer crowds than January–February. September is also good, with post-monsoon green and lower humidity.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months, coinciding with European summer holidays and the Esala Perahera festival in Kandy, which draws spillover visitors. Hotel prices in Ella can double, and advance booking is essential. The monsoon is active too – expect afternoon downpours.
Budget shoulder season
May and early June offer the best budget shoulder period: the south-west monsoon brings rain but rooms are cheap, trails are quiet, and the rainforest looks lush. November is another value window before the high season ramps up.
Weather & packing
Ella’s climate is a year-round gamble: even in the ‘dry’ months, sudden cloudbursts are common as moist air hits the hills. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers, and always carry a small umbrella for afternoon walks.
Live City Briefing — Ella
- The Ella–Kandy railway line has resumed full service after track repairs from the 2024 landslides, but trains can still run 1–2 hours late; check the schedule at the station the day before.
- A new craft-beer brewery, ‘Ella Hops’, opened on the main road in March 2025, offering tours and tastings – a useful evening alternative to the usual tea shops.
- The Kithalella temple path was upgraded with steps and handrails in late 2025, making the short hike safer during wet weather; good for a sunrise visit.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Laura, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor at the rear of the building — away from the street and above any ground-floor public areas, offering a balance of quiet and view.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor facing the street — they pick up direct road noise and passing foot traffic, and lack privacy.
Best views
Rooms at the rear overlook the garden or hillside, giving a green, quiet outlook rather than the street.
Quietest floors
Second floor is the quietest due to being one floor above street level and away from lift and lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Ella's main street has tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and early-morning market activity — front-facing rooms will hear this, especially at weekends.
Insider tips
Check-in early (before 2pm) to request a rear-facing room on the second floor — the front desk often honours this if you ask politely. There's no lift, so pack light if you're on the second floor, but the stairs keep the floor quieter than the ground floor.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Laura
Free Wi-Fi throughout (802.11n, WiFi 4); typical speed ~5 Mbps download. One login per device, password changed daily and given at check-in
No lift. All rooms are on the first and second floors reachable by staircase (no ground-floor rooms). No stairs-only historic section
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. TV in common lounge shows cable news (BBC, CNN). Building is a modern three-storey villa set into the hillside with no heritage features
Standard check-in 14:00, check-out 11:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 (no charge); late check-out until 13:00 costs LKR 1,500 (subject to availability)
Free storage at reception (locked room) for early arrivals or post-check-out; no time limit but must collect by 21:00
No step-free access: main entrance has two steps; all guest rooms require climbing stairs. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Staff will assist carrying luggage
On-site parking for 4 cars (no charge, first come first served); nearest public car park is Ella Railway Station lot (LKR 500 per night, 5-min walk). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (hotel includes taxes in the room rate; no separate municipal tax added locally)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via credit card; a LKR 2,000 refundable cash deposit for incidentals taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Sri Sumanarama Viharaya (805 m · ~10 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Rawanna Ella Temple (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Buddhist Temple (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Sri Kanaser Temple (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 173 m · ~2 min walk
ECC Mini Supermart — 283 m · ~4 min walk
Ella Railway Station — 636 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use bank ATMs in town (e.g., Commercial Bank); avoid hotel and airport counters for poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and some cafés; small vendors and tuk-tuks need cash.
Not expected but appreciated: 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fare, small tip for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local tea shop style coffee or tea at a roadside stall: about 50 LKR.
Rice and curry from a local eatery: 300-500 LKR.
Kottu roti or rice and curry at a casual place: 400-600 LKR for a main.
Little stalls along the main road near Ella town sell short eats, samosas, and roti.
Cargills Food City is the most common budget supermarket chain in Ella.
Small textile and souvenir stalls on the main street; not a big clothes shopping area.
Walk or take a shared tuk-tuk for short hops (100-200 LKR per person). Budget from airport: public bus via Colombo (approx 1500 LKR) to Ella.
Eat at local rice-and-curry joints instead of tourist cafés. Buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets, not hotel minibars. Carry cash to avoid ATM fees on small withdrawals.
Emergency Contacts
Ella+94 11 288 4000 (Tourist Police Information Center)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ella, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Laura
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 173 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Paraiso Guest House, Ella
💡 Book in advance to ensure availability. The driver will meet you at the airport arrivals gate.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Ella Train Station
💡 Book in advance to secure a seat in the air-conditioned class. The scenic route offers stunning views of the mountains.
Ella Bus Station → Paraiso Guest House
💡 Negotiate the price beforehand. The ride can be quite bumpy, so hold on tight.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Ella Bus Station
💡 Take the bus from the airport to Ella town, then a tuk-tuk to Paraiso Guest House. Be prepared for a bumpy ride.
About Ella
Wikipedia ↗
Ella (Sinhala: ඇල්ල, lit. 'fall', [ællə]; Tamil: எல்ல) is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by Ella Pradeshiya Sabha. It is approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) above sea level. The ar...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Laura?
Request a room on the second floor at the rear of the building — away from the street and above any ground-floor public areas, offering a balance of quiet and view.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Laura?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor facing the street — they pick up direct road noise and passing foot traffic, and lack privacy.
Is Hotel Laura noisy?
Ella's main street has tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and early-morning market activity — front-facing rooms will hear this, especially at weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Laura?
Rooms at the rear overlook the garden or hillside, giving a green, quiet outlook rather than the street.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Laura?
Check-in early (before 2pm) to request a rear-facing room on the second floor — the front desk often honours this if you ask politely. There's no lift, so pack light if you're on the second floor, but the stairs keep the floor quieter than the ground floor.
What time is check-in at Hotel Laura?
Check-in at Hotel Laura is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Laura have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout (802.11n, WiFi 4); typical speed ~5 Mbps download. One login per device, password changed daily and given at check-in
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Laura?
None (hotel includes taxes in the room rate; no separate municipal tax added locally)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Laura?
Rice and curry from a local eatery: 300-500 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Laura?
Walk or take a shared tuk-tuk for short hops (100-200 LKR per person). Budget from airport: public bus via Colombo (approx 1500 LKR) to Ella.
When is the best time to visit Ella?
March and April: dry, clear views of the hills, and the tail end of the peak tourist season means fewer crowds than January–February. September is also good, with post-monsoon green and lower humidity.
Top Attractions in Ella
💡 Be careful of the slippery rocks and strong currents, and don't forget to bring a towel and some snacks.
💡 Take a torch with you to navigate the steep and uneven terrain, and be prepared for some scrambling near the top.
💡 Catch a train passing through the station for a fun and scenic ride.
💡 Best to visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds.
💡 Take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit and learn about the different spices and their uses.