The best hotels in Kandy, for the perfect hillside stay

With an outdoor swimming pool and rooftop lounge, the Radisson Hotel Kandy offers all the mod-cons a traveller could need in the lush jungle surroundings of Sri Lanka’s hill capital. Each room has a fresh, clean feel with roomy beds, spacious bathrooms and a comfy sofa seating area. There’s also a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk where services like currency exchange are offered. Hungry? The Dine restaurant cooks up Asian and international plates using fresh, hand-picked produce. 

Mood? Homely mountain hospitality. 
Location perks? A short walk to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and Kandy city centre. 
Budget range? Mid-range. 
Time Out tip: Head to the Bommu rooftop bar for panoramic views of Kandy and lip-smacking cocktails. 

Randholee Luxury Resort is surrounded by greenery. The resort draws from Kandy’s ancient culture and tradition with the interior decorated to represent Kandyan’s ancient artistry. The rooms are divided into suites, comfortable deluxe rooms and deluxe rooms with a view. The deluxe rooms in particular are decorated with ornate paintings inspired by the arts of the Kandyan era. The suites are designed with a glamorous theme in mind. The breathtaking views of the citadel and its surrounding mountains are stunning. Newlyweds can be cocooned in cosy comforts. They are given special offers by the resort such as candlelit dinners. Couples who spend their honeymoon at the hotel will also be treated to a dinner. Randholee Resort serves delicious food all day long. Their international buffet night includes a gourmet spread of dishes featuring Sri Lankan, Indian, Middle-Eastern, Italian and Western cuisines. 

Mood? Beautifully decorated luxury with high-end amenities. 
Location perks? A short walk to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, surrounded by green hillside. 
Budget range? Caters to a variety of budgets. 
Time Out tip: The splendid infinity pool overlooks the sky and lush nature, creating the perfect environment for relaxation. Lounge on the deck chairs by the pool with a refreshing beverage and your favourite snack. 

This five-star hotel overlooks a wondrous view of the suburbs of Tennekumbura (5km away from Kandy) and its mountains across the Tennekumbura bridge over the Mahaweli River. It’s the ultimate spot to unwind and enjoy a nice long, blissful vacation. The hotel’s many wings hold 104 rooms, including beautifully adorned premium and deluxe rooms, family rooms and a selection of contemporary luxurious suites. The main building of the hotel contains the reception area, bar and an executive floor with conference facilities and executive suites, while a new wing incorporated into the hotel, consists of deluxe rooms, a spa and a garden restaurant. The hotel also houses a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, an inviting outdoor pool, an elegant ballroom and a well-equipped spa and gym, along with other recreational activities.

Mood? Luxe jungle living. 
Location perks? Gorgeous views and easy access into Kandy city. 
Budget range? High-end. 
Time Out tip: Ask reception to help organise day trips and activities such as cycling and trekking. 

A nature lover’s haven, this hotel is located among the lakes and paddy fields of Dambulla, letting guests take in the breathtaking beauty of the Cultural Triangle. The resort has accommodation in chalets built on the lake as well as a bungalow with a lake view in the paddy fields. The ‘bakmee chalet’ has glass walls that create an intimate transparency with the surroundings. Bird watchers can wake up to the calls of Sri Lankan birds tweeting from the wilderness. Guests who don’t wish to be disturbed by nature can stay in peace in the adjoining bungalow. 

Mood? Wilderness retreat. 
Location perks? Surrounded by a gorgeously green nature reserve and a short stroll the natural spring waters of Dambulla for swimming. 
Budget range? On the expensive side. 
Time Out tip: Activities like cycling, mountain hiking, fishing and village sightseeing can be arranged through the hotel. 

A tranquil retreat in the hills, Heritance Kandalama is a spectacular architectural feat with panoramic views of the Sigiriya Rocks. Its unique design holds three impressive pools and guests can get involved in exotic activities like bird watching. The 5-star hotel has spacious rooms fitted with rattan furniture and timber panels. Each comes with a private bathroom featuring oversized glass walls filling them with natural light. The hotel features tennis courts, a well-equipped gym and a Six Senses Spa. To enjoy Sri Lanka’s breathtaking natural landscapes, the hotel offers various excursions like mountain cycling excursions and lake safaris. The Kanchana Restaurant offers daily themed nights with international cuisine. Views of the Sigiriya citadel and the Kandalama Lake accompany meals.

Mood? Overgrown gem filled with activities. 
Location perks? Kandalama Heritance is a 20-minute drive from UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the 2,000-year-old cave temple at Dambulla and the Sigiriya rock fortress.
Budget range? High-end. 
Time Out tip: Start the day with breakfast on the lake or enjoy a memorable dining experience in the nearby cave. 

The Tourmaline is located on Anniewatte Mountain, close to the famous Temple of the Tooth. It offers a pool, well-appointed rooms with bathtubs and free WiFi. Rooms are spacious and come with ironing facilities, a minibar and a safety deposit box. Entertainment options include a flat-screen cable TV, CD and DVD player. Guests can enjoy the tropical weather by the hotel’s large swimming pool. It features sun loungers for guests’ comfort. There are tennis courts, a fitness centre and various other recreational facilities. There is a children’s playground for younger guests. Tourmaline Hotel’s Restaurant serves local specialities. It also offers an international menu. Room service is available. 

Mood? Colourful hideaway. 
Location perks? An easy drive away from Kandy Botanical Garden, the city centre and the Tea Factory Museum. 
Budget range? Affordable. 
Time Out tip: Head to the rooftop Orchid Lounge to sip on fine wine beneath the stars with mountain scenery in the background. 

Sitting high above Kandy, Hotel Topaz became a mainstay not long after it opened its doors more than 40 years ago. Surrounded by the Knuckles range, the hotel is strikingly romantic with high altitudes, mist, cool weather, flowers and striking mountain views. It is a honeymooners’ paradise. The fourth floor, the ‘Rose Floor’, is dedicated to honeymooners. Nothing is spared in terms of thoughtfulness, from bedtime chocolates to a pillow menu and all luxuries in between. A special honeymoon package is also available. The second and third floors are christened the Green Floors, environmentally friendly with views of the wild green hills or the dwarfed city teeming below. The first floor has been inspired by the Water Lily, Sri Lanka’s national flower, which you’ll see everywhere: in ponds in the corridors, stamped on room stationery and growing in fish tanks in the rooms. Each room on this floor also has a beautiful private garden with a water lily pond, ideal for high tea or breakfast. All rooms are well-equipped, comfortable and cosy. The Topaz also has a spa, a pool in a beautiful Swiss setting, restaurants and a coffee shop. 

Mood? A dreamy stay among cool climes and green views. 
Location perks? Mountain scenery and easy access to Kandy city. 
Budget range? Caters to various budgets. 
Time Out tip: Check in to the Ayurvedic Centre for soul-soothing massages and body treatments. 

Get the best of both worlds in this 5-star colonial-style hotel, with homely comforts at your fingertips and wild adventures on your doorstep. Ru Boutique’s gorgeous, chalk-white heritage building is filled with ornate rooms perfect for indulging in afternoon tea or tucking into perfectly crafted meals made with local ingredients. There are just 14 rooms, so expect dedicated, personalised service, as well as extra-soft pillows and bed linen and neat touches like roll-top baths, fruit baskets and huge windows which make the most of the views. Add on a well-appointed library, plunge pool and courtyard bar, and you’ll never want to leave this plush set-up. 

Mood? Colonial-style luxury. 
Location perks? Right next to Kandy Lake, with Temple of the Tooth, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Gadaladeniya Temple, Ambakke Viharaya and Lankathilaka Temple, all nearby. 
Budget range? Mid to high-end. 
Time Out tip: Explore the hotel’s Lake View garden and organise a boat trip.  

Immerse yourself in the hill city of Kandy at this beautiful heritage hotel right in the heart of town. Situated just a few minutes from the famous Sacred Temple of the Tooth, you can sit out on the elegant veranda and watch people walking to the temple. With just four rooms, you can expect every attention, including a personalised butler service and a plush-sounding ‘luxury bedding and pillow menu’. The in-house cafe serves up one of the best breakfasts in town, while the hotel chef can whip up a la carte treats. 

Mood? Undersated traditional luxury. 
Location perks? In the heart of Kandy, close to St Paul's Chapel, Bogambara Stadium, The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, Bahirava Kanda Buddha Statue, and other famous landmarks.
Budget range? Mid-range. 
Time Out tip: The outdoor terrace is a cool retreat during the day for tea.