Heritance Kandalama

We loved our stay at this magnificent hotel, which was like nowhere we had ever been before. As we were traveling with children, we booked a two-room suite which was surrounded by jungle. The atmosphere was amazing. We booked an elephant safari which was outstanding (thank you Mohan!) - we saw around 20 elephants and had wonderful views, including of several babies. The infinity pool was glorious and on the last night we had a wonderful dinner at Kaludiya. The food was exceptional - some of the best of our trip- and the staff went out of their way to make special meals for our children (at no charge). We especially want to mention Ravi whose kindness, attentiveness and fantastic recommendations were greatly appreciated

Our stay at Heritance Kandalama was wonderful. The hotel is beautifully designed, blending into the surrounding jungle and overlooking the stunning Kandalama Lake.
Our bedroom & bathroom were spacious & very comfortable. We had a wonderful view over the lake to Sigiriya rock. We woke up to a family of monkeys on the table on our balcony which was very special.
The infinity pool has spectacular views over the lake.
The buffet for breakfast & dinner was good.
A very memorable stay, hope you stay again.

What a lovely experience at Kandalama. Amazing food extremely friendly staff including Sachini,Maheshika, restaurant manager Rasika. Fantastic location and truly a 5 star hotel and value for money. This is our 3rd visit and we will definitely come back again.

Our stay at Heritance Kandalama was nothing short of magical — truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

From the moment we arrived, we were completely in awe of the breathtaking surroundings. The hotel is beautifully nestled within nature — surrounded by mountains, lush jungle, and serene views that feel almost unreal. The architecture blends so seamlessly with nature that it feels like you are living inside the jungle itself.

And yes, the wildlife makes it even more special — spotting monkeys (even mothers with their babies!) right outside while you’re relaxing or even showering is such a unique and unforgettable experience.

The food was absolutely incredible — from breakfast to lunch to dinner, every meal was delicious, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared. The dining experience is elevated not just by the food but by the exceptional service.

What truly made our stay unforgettable, though, was the staff. Every single person we encountered was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. The level of care is unmatched — from pulling your chair to ensuring every little detail is perfect, they go above and beyond to make you feel special.

A very special thank you to Janaka and Sagarika for their outstanding hospitality. Sagarika is truly remarkable — a multi-talented individual who not only served us with such grace but also performed the Kandyan dance beautifully. Knowing she has been dancing for 19 years and part of the hotel for 9 years made it even more inspiring to watch her. She is truly beautiful inside and out.

Also, a big appreciation to Kalu for the incredible fire performance — it was thrilling and added such a unique touch to the evenings. It’s amazing that these performances are done by the hotel’s own staff — it reflects their passion and dedication.

The entire experience — from the natural beauty, wildlife, food, cultural performances, and above all, the people — makes this place truly special.

I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Sri Lanka. It’s not just a stay, it’s an experience you will carry with you forever.

Worth every penny. 🌿✨

“Chef Balveer Singh doesn’t just cook food, he crafts unforgettable dining experiences.”

Had a great experience. Very good hospitality great food. Excellent location

Our stay at Heritance Kandalama was truly unforgettable. The hotel itself is an architectural masterpiece, beautifully designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding jungle and overlooking the stunning Kandalama Lake. Waking up to the sounds of nature and the panoramic views was simply magical.

The rooms were spacious, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed with large windows that bring the outdoors inside. Watching monkeys and birds right outside the balcony made the experience even more special.

The food was outstanding, with a wide variety of Sri Lankan and international dishes. Every meal was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented. The staff were incredibly warm, professional, and attentive, always going the extra mile to ensure guests are comfortable.

One of the highlights was the infinity pool overlooking the lake — easily one of the most scenic pools in Sri Lanka. The peaceful atmosphere, combined with the surrounding wildlife and greenery, makes this place feel like a true nature retreat.

If you’re visiting the Cultural Triangle or exploring Sigiriya and Dambulla, this hotel is the perfect place to stay. Heritance Kandalama is not just a hotel — it’s an experience.

Highly recommended and I would absolutely stay here again.

Excellent hotel surrounded by nature. Food good, staff friendly. Only lost a star due to pools: there are 3 but not nearly enough sun loungers for any of them, quite often getting full up. I also think at a 5* resort there should be a designated adults only pool

This is my favorite and the best hotel in Sri Lanka . I am a frequent guest of this hotel from 1996. I have no words to describe this property. An excellent and one of the best in the world. F&B area Lalith, and Gamini are the best for last 25 years .
During my last four visit I noted their senior restaurant supervisor Sanath was doing very good service and attentive to all the guests .When i enter the main restaurant I look for Sanath a well trained supervisor who genuinely cares about guest comfort. His friendly service goes above and beyond to make our dining experience memorable. From the moment we sat down, Sanath makes us feel right at home by being attentive and proactive about our needs. His service also very specialized and try his best to fulfill the needs of customers. Also he remembers the desires of customers and sometimes discuss with the chef and get it organize. I have noted he directs his sub ordinate staff in appropriate way for their services in the restaurant. I highly recommend him for more senior positions.
Saman K

All staff really friendly and helpful. Especially Danushka who served us our cold beers after a long day in the heat! Hotel spotlessly clean.

Kandalama is a 5 star hotel which is in a stunning location overlooking a serene lake. This hotel offers breathtaking views and unforgettable experience. The savour culinary in the main restaurant done by chef Shanmu and Chef Marium will take your taste buds to a different level. The friendly staff in every corner of the hotel makes your stay a comfortable and enjoyable.

We recently returned to Heritance Kandalama as a family, having last visited over 20 years ago, and it remains just as remarkable as we remembered.

The setting is simply magical, seamlessly integrated into the surrounding landscape and overlooking the reservoir. It is one of those rare properties where the architecture and natural environment come together in a way that feels both timeless and unique. Our entire family commented on how special the atmosphere is.

The rooms are very well maintained and comfortable, reflecting careful upkeep over the years. The pools were also well maintained and a pleasure to use.

What truly stood out, however, was the exceptional quality of the staff. Across all areas, including the front desk, restaurant, bar, and housekeeping, the service was consistently warm, attentive, and highly professional. A special mention to Damith, who managed the cleaning of our rooms exceptionally well and took the time to check in on our family throughout the stay, which was very much appreciated.

The restaurant experience was also excellent. The team was attentive and welcoming, and we particularly enjoyed the staff member preparing fresh hoppers each morning. We would also like to recognize Sagarika, who provided exceptional service, checking in on us and even bringing tea to our room to help my mother when she was feeling unwell.

Several members of our family used the spa, which was an excellent experience and a welcome addition to the stay.

Overall, this is a world-class hotel that continues to deliver a memorable and high-quality experience. It remains one of the most special places we have stayed, even after all these years.

This hotel is spectacular! It is situated overlooking a beautiful lake with great facilities. I would have liked to stay longer but on a tour. The staff were so helpful and very friendly!

We have been visiting Kandalama for nearly 30 years now and it has always been a special place. The staff are wonderful and very helpful especially Janaka in the restaurant who always goes out of his way to make you feel special.
Things have changed over the years, some for the good but some for the bad, however Kandalama will always be special.
It is a shame that these days people just don’t understand a dress code. Shorts may be acceptable but not swimming shorts. Very disappointing.

This hotel is a wonderful way to see how architecture can fit so well into the environment. It’s a constant safari viewed via the walkways along the 1 kilometre meandering length of the building. The Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa definitely deserves the title of the father of Tropical Modernism. The staff are so welcoming, attentive, and kind. The buffet and set menu restaurants have so many delicious options that you are spoiled for choice. We will be back!

A long drive down a dirt road into the Kandalama Hotel designed by Geoffrey Bawa was worth it ! The hotel is set against the rock landscape and blends into the surroundings. The lobby area opens to the lake and across it sits Sirigaya. Meals are in a large dining room with an outdoor option. Food was varied and plentiful. My room was on the second floor and the views were blocked by the vegetation. What made up for it was the thoughtful design of the room. I am a Bawa fan…The hotel has 3 pools, one natural. They have views of the lake. Please visit even if it’s just to admire the architecture of the property.

Fantastic views, totally surrounded my nature. Beautiful pools. Heaps of dining options. Would definitely go back

Very poor experience at this property, the staff including the manager was very rude and unfriendly. Disappointed as it only looks good online, however completely different here at the hotel. The hotel gave us the worst possible rooms despite paying a decent amount and making a request before booking.

AWFULLY DISAPPOINTED!

Stunning outside building and a great concept but a tired hotel that needs an update.
Huge choice of food but poor dining room, far far too big.
Staff lovely and morning boat trip lovely but expensive.
Would not come back as far too many tourists there

It was a day out with the family , staff was very friendly and help full . food was Amazing & tasty . we had a special Birth day arrangement for my family members .all of us really appreciate the kindness of the staff. Hotel enviroment was ECO Friendly,beautifull View .