Thanks so much Elsie!
I think I will end up doing 6 nights total at the Tea Trails... 3 in Tientsin, 2 nights in Castlereigh and 1 overnight in Norwood just for a change of atmosphere.
What did you find sterile about Norwood if you don't mind me asking? The online photos look lovely, but we all know that websites are often manipulative in this way, and a clever and resourceful photographer can do a lot to a place... I personally wasn't too impressed from what I'd seen of the Summerville interior shots, although the grounds looked very nice. I'll be sure to use it as a stopover though for lunches/teas/sunlounging when paddling accross the reservoir!
Anyways, I will be staying at Tientsin the longest and using it mostly as a homebase for outings to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, etc. I have already made out my itinerary for this leg of the trip and will be spending several days just lazing aroudn the properties, touring the tea trails, hiking, biking, swimming and lounging, etc. So I've allowed myself a few days longer than most would normally stay (I assume) to also see the surrounding area. My big issue was that I really wanted to visit the region, but Galle was just too far for day trips, and so this solves that! I'll use the Tea Trails as a jump off for the central province, but still spend plenty of time and full restful days enjoying the properties... the best of both worlds!
You say the food is mostly western fare, but of what quality? The website places a strong emphasis on sustainable, market fresh produce and garden herbs, etc. Is the cuisine up to par? A shame there isn't more of a local menu, however I suppose the charm and "allure" is somewhat continental in spirit, so if the food is fresh and innovative, I can't really fault them or hold that against them. The website does say that curries and rices are offered at lunch time daily as an option.
Last question for you, Elsie, that I hope you'll be able to help with: If you have a look at the following page for Castlereigh, here:
http://www.teatrails.com/castlereagh_teatrails.php
Would you happen to know which of the 3 'Garden Suites' (Baker, Alston, Palmer) is the one with the large double vanity bathroom with draped clawfoot tub set beside the open window, that's featured in the flash photo display at the top of the page??
PS - How many days did you stay at the Tea Trails? Did you ever find yourself growing restless and reaching for things to do? Six nights is a very long stay and I doubt most travellers visit for that many nights unless renting out the bungalows for families, but I wanted to use the extra days to explore the area.
Do you suppose they would be as accommodating as say, Aman are, when it comes to requesting private car hires or transfers to nearby sights or wildlife parks within roughly 2 hrs distance of the valley?