Nestled in paradise, the stunning views, impeccable service, and exquisite amenities create an unforgettable experience. A true gem where every moment feels like a cherished memory. Pure indulgence in paradise! Though still a trainee,  we would love to make a special mention of Maleesha, who provided us with personalized service that exceeded our expectations together with her executive partner Lakmi...Maleesha's attentiveness and care made our stay even more memorable.  The staff was incredibly friendly, and their genuine care and attention to detail truly enhanced the overall experience of our entire family of six members.The food at the hotel was amazing, offering a wide variety of options that catered to every palate, and Rasika at the restaurant was always there to go that extra mile to make us feel comfortable and happy. We also want to appreciate the attentiveness of Jithendra, the night manager on duty.  Overall, a pure indulgence in paradise! Highly recommend.

the staff in the kitchen and restaurant was exceptionally good the food extraordinary the "dine in a cave" experience superb Chef Dinesh went out of his way to organise a live cooking under the rock! we will not forget this

reception was as bad as it gets: unfriendly and treatment like thieves: pay first, than enter

Everything! One of the best hotels in Sri Lanka. Ecologically conscious, great staff, a lot of activities nearby, and architectural gem. We hired a jeep through hotel and had the best experience with driver Bandara. Do ask for him if you need a guide with immense local knowledge and connections. Naturalist Navindu also provides great knowledge on surrounding area and can help organise fantastic outdoor experiences

Great location and fantastic views over the lake and Sigiriya in the background. We first came here when we were living in Colombo 18 years ago - was our favourite then and good to see it still is one of our family favourite hotels in Sri Lanka. Liked how the hotel has integrated with the natural surroundings and maximising its position with great views - we were fortunate to even see some wild elephants while having breakfast!

In the evenings the infinity pool bar is very busy and I suggest have a couple more extra bar staff there to assist and get more $$ from us tourists as waiting for over 20 minutes for a drink takes away the enjoyment of the spectacular views and tranquil surroundings. A little more urgency wouldn’t go astray. However, Staff attentiveness at the buffet restaurant was fantastic!

The views and sceneries were breathtaking. Local wildlife ensures entertainment. Dinner buffet was very good. Opening hours of the buffet. The staff is very attentive. Balinese massage was excellent. Gym was well equipped.

Only a view chairs available at the pools, making it a race of the quickest to get them. No evening activities or vibes. Only a few plugs available in the room. No entertainment for children. Live music and lounge area not utilized enough. The hotel is so big and so wide, yet it seems they just did not know what to do with all the space they have which all have amazing views. For example a supermarket, a souvenir shop, a Kids Playing area, more bars, you name it... but it felt all underused and unused. And lastly, high prices for rooms (we had a Junior Suite) for a hotel which does not offer much besides food. Other than that the hotel was great in general.

Staying at Heritance Kandalama was an unforgettable experience. The service was impeccable—truly, I’ve never felt so pampered. The location is straight out of a postcard, nestled near Sigiriya Rock and surrounded by lush jungle and the serene Kandalama Lake. As for the wildlife, let’s just say the monkeys and birds kept us entertained, practically dropping by for afternoon tea! But the highlight? Watching elephants wander by from the balcony of our room—it was absolutely breathtaking. A perfect blend of luxury, nature, and just the right amount of wild charm.

vegan friendly and greatFood , great location , very polite and gracious staff, clean and spacious bathrooms , swimming pool the sport swimming pool is very nice. The view is superb. So many things to do. Great place, great food. Recommended for vegans as the staff is well aware of it and prepared to serve vegan guests.

Towels were not there in the room when we checked in even after 3 pm. Had ask many times from the reception and no response. Then had to go find the cleaning staff and ask to get towels. They immediately brought them in. But we Had waited another one hour or so to take a wash after travelling all the way from Colombo.

Many reviewers refer to the Heritance Kandalama as a place of “faded glory,” but I believe that comparison misses the mark. While Phnom Penh may exemplify true faded grandeur, Geoffrey Bawa's stunning brutalist creation remains vibrant and enchanting. Yes, some timber cladding shows wear, and the lack of phone charging outlets is a minor inconvenience, but the building, constructed in the 90s, is largely intact and still breathtaking. My girlfriend and I entered with some trepidation; while I've worked in similar venues, staying at one was a new experience. From arrival to departure, our experience was flawless, largely thanks to the attentive staff and the freedom to explore the harmonious blend of architecture and nature. I initially doubted the claim of a 1km property; however, after discovering a larger pool in the Dambulla wing, I realized how expansive the area truly is. With decent sandals, wandering became a joy, as we encountered playful resident monkeys, including Grey Langurs and Toque Macaques, among other wildlife like wild boar and various birds-including breathtaking brahminy kites and colorful orioles. For average tourists like us, the prices here can be a shock. Rooms start at £200+ per night, and meals cost more than typical Sri Lankan fare. However, when compared to luxury hotels back home, such as the St Pancras Renaissance or the Ritz, the prices feel more reasonable. The all-you-can-eat buffet is about £22 per person, and drinks are relatively affordable, with large beers at around 1200 LKR. Tipping is important, so bring plenty of 100 LKR notes for porters and staff. Although service charges are included in your bill, tipping generously is appreciated and shared among personnel. We stayed on the second floor (actually the lowest entrance level), and our view was enhanced by surprise visits from monkeys during our stay. This thoughtful design allows guests to immerse themselves in the jungle’s magic while enjoying exceptional...

Two of the plug sockets in our room were sufficient for the lamps positioned there, but offered no charging for our phones and my laptop. This really is a First World Problem, although of course if you wish to take pictures of your knock-out surroundings then you want your phone charged! With adapters and upside-down plugs we managed to make it work for us. Initially we thought the 2nd floor room would yield little in the way of a view, our particular vista being 'framed' by additional vines of the trees. This actually added to the surreality of the viewpoint. I place this in 'didn't like' owing to character limits in these boxes.

Food is amazing! Staff is really nice and professional Amazing location in nature. Wildlife is all around you: monkeys, birds, squirrels and more. The architecture of this hotel is just incredible. We loved our stay here!

Be aware that because the hotel is located in a nature reserve, you are pretty far out from shops and restaurants. You need a car. So be prepared to eat lunches and dinners at the hotel unless you have day trips planned. It was not a negative point for us since we were aware of it, but keep it in mind. They are updating the rooms to have more plugs near the bed. We got an older room so we had to charge our phone at the plug of the kettle.

Heritance Kandalama is a Geoffrey Bawa designed architectural masterpiece! I love the way the falling vines (signature look) camouflage the hotel perfectly blending in with the natural landscape. The views from the hotel room balcony were stunning. We enjoyed the visits from the cheeky monkeys from the safety of our room. The room itself was spacious and the bathroom had an incredible rain shower! The spread at buffet breakfast and dinner was amazing - from traditional Sri Lankan cuisine to Indian and Continental cuisine. We loved the live hopper, kottu, roti and pasta stations. The food was delicious. They even made a special meal for our infant! The service at Heritance Kandalama is nothing short of greatness. The staff are so friendly and courteous. Each and every staff member we came across went above and beyond to male sure our stay was comfortable. We will definitely be back!

It's a shame that we can't leave the balcony windows open as the monkeys will get in! But that's not the hotel's fault as it is located amidst nature