EKHO Ella, the boutique hotel set in Sri Lanka’s scenic hill country, has been recognised with the 2025 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award, placing it among the top 1 percent of hotels worldwide. The honour is based entirely on guest reviews and ratings and acknowledges the hotel’s warm hospitality, distinctive railway inspired concept and memorable guest experience. TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best distinction is presented to a very limited number of businesses that consistently deliver outstanding service. For EKHO Ella, this achievement reflects its focus on authenticity, comfort and meaningful storytelling rooted in local heritage.
To mark this moment, EKHO Ella hosted an Employee Felicitation Ceremony to thank the team whose dedication contributed to the hotel’s success. The event celebrated staff members who consistently offer attentive, heartfelt service and create experiences that guests remember long after their stay. It also reaffirmed the hotel’s belief that its people shape the property’s character and reputation. “We are profoundly honored to receive TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best recognition, placing EKHO Ella among the top one percent of hotels worldwide,” said Adrian Jansz, Vice President Sales and Marketing, CHC Hotels. “This achievement reflects our commitment to thoughtful hospitality and cultural storytelling through luxury. Our railway themed concept pays tribute to Sri Lanka’s hill country train journey, and this recognition shows that guests value the blend of heritage and refined service that defines EKHO Ella.”
EKHO Ella was introduced as a concept boutique hotel that celebrates Sri Lanka’s long standing railway legacy. Each themed room is inspired by well known local trains and features vintage seating, signal lights and curated railway elements paired with modern comforts. The property is positioned above the iconic Ella Gap and offers wide views with easy access to popular landmarks including Little Adam’s Peak and the Nine Arches Bridge. The award reflects a global shift toward smaller hotels that offer character, cultural depth and experiences with a sense of place. EKHO Ella’s restaurant and bar, named after local waterways, present Sri Lankan dishes prepared with herbs from the hotel garden. With a compact number of rooms, the property maintains personalised service and a conscious approach to operations. This recognition places both EKHO Ella and the wider region of Ella in the spotlight, drawing attention to the area’s railway heritage and its appeal to travelers seeking meaningful stays. Looking ahead, EKHO Ella plans to build on its strengths through cultural experiences, sustainability initiatives and local community engagement, while staying true to the railway inspired identity that has shaped its charm. EKHO Ella invites travelers to discover a Sri Lankan escape that begins with the spirit of a train story, offers comfort at every step and leaves lasting memories.
