Best hotels and boutique villas in Kandy

This five-star hotel overlooks the suburbs of Tennekumbura and its wild mountains across the Tennekumbura bridge over the Mahaweli River. It’s the ultimate spot to unwind and enjoy a nice long, blissful holiday. Its 104 rooms are beautifully adorned, while the main building of the hotel contains the reception area, bar and an executive floor with conference facilities and executive suites. A new wing incorporated into the hotel, houses the deluxe rooms, a spa and a garden restaurant. There’s also a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, an inviting outdoor pool, a ballroom exuding formal elegance 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. 

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 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. 

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. 

Randholee Luxury Resort is surrounded by an aura of greenery. The resort draws from Kandy’s ancient culture and tradition with the interior decorated to represent the Kandyan 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. 

A 19th-century English mansion tucked away in the Sri Lankan countryside, this five-star hotel is a luxurious place to rejuvenate and relax. Taylors Hill is nestled among lush plantations and is perfect for an intimate vacation. Named after James Taylor who introduced commercial tea production to Sri Lanka, the place is surrounded by rolling evergreen fields which you can see through from the hotel’s sunny verandas and gardens. As well as plush rooms with four-poster beds and glorious views, there’s also every amenity you could wish for from a country house hotel, including a snooker room, living space, a tennis and badminton court, an infinity pool and birdwatching areas. After a day's exploring indulge in mouth-watering Asian fusion dishes, traditional British gastronomy or Sri Lankan cuisine mostly cooked with Tamil flare. Visits can be arranged to the nearby Loolecondera Tea Factory, the first tea factory established by Taylor, which provides a window into an industry that put Ceylon on the map. Nature lovers can head out to Peradeniya Botanical Garden or cycle down the curving roads through the tea plantations.

Mood? A trad country house hotel in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea plantations. 
Location perks? Surrounded by nature and close to The Ceylon Tea Museum, Temple of the Tooth, The Botanical Gardens, Elephant Orphanage and Nuwara Eliya. 
Budget range? Expensive. 
Time Out tip: Take an English-style afternoon tea on the terrace, with freshly baked cakes and biscuits served on silver stands. Or, take full advantage of the glorious natural views while bathing in the infinity pool. 

This 200-year-old heritage house was constructed by a minister of the Kandyan royal court. The ownership passed through many hands until recently when it was transformed into a boutique hotel. Kandy House manages to retain the majesty passed on by its former Royal residents while having plenty of modern amenities. The rooms are named after Sri Lankan butterflies: Indian Admiral, Black Rajah and Monkey Puzzle. Well-lit lobbies, an infinity pool at the backyard and spacious rooms with a quaint touch make for a memorable stay at this heritage architectural house.

Mood? History, charm and glamour. 
Location perks? Surrounded by lush private gardens, yet close to Kandy city centre. 
Budget range? High-end. 
Time Out tip: Once you’ve had a dip in the large infinity pool overlooking the paddy fields, book in massage or a yoga session. 

Part of the luxurious Fox Resorts, this luxury complex is nestled in the Hantana mountain range, so guests can be close to the city while being immersed in the nature of Sri Lanka’s hill country surrounded by rolling green tea and pepper plantations. You can see the surroundings from each of the elegantly kitted-out bedrooms, which all feature king-size beds, glossy hardwood floors, traditionally themed decor and luxury natural bath products. The fine dining Chef restaurant is all windows, so you can tuck into gourmet dishes with the wilderness as your backdrop or literally soak up the views in the steaming infinity pool. 

Mood? Hillside glamour. 
Location perks? Wild views with easy access to Kandy city. 
Budget range? Various higher-end budgets. 
Time Out tip: Hotel guides can help you create a personalised tour around Kandy’s UNESCO sites.

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.  

Expect no less than five-star luxury at this spectacularly renovated five-star hotel set on a 25-acre organic spice plantation. The country colonial-style manor has been refurbished with fun punchy touches, so alongside the traditional architecture and antiques expect menus fusing street food with fine dining and rooms decorated with brightly-coloured pop art. The exciting rooms are filled with plush touches like roll-top baths, four-poster beds, funky mosaics and huge windows that let in the sounds of birdsong. Soak in the 17-metre infinity pool surrounded by palm trees, sit in the library with thousands of books at your disposal, dine on dishes made from ingredients sourced from the hotel gardens, join yoga sessions or watch performances in the private amphitheatre. And that's all before you’ve arranged guided tours and visits to Kandy and its surrounding countryside at the travel desk. 

Mood? The ultimate jungle retreat. 
Location perks? Situated in atmospheric wilderness, with Kandy city centre a short drive away. 
Budget range? High-end. 
Time Out tip: Look out for wildlife while walking about the estate, including porcupines, monkies, bats, bandicoots, civets, deer, fishing cats, giant squirrels, hares, shrews, skinks, chameleons, wild boar and lots of birds. 

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.