Heritance Kandalama Sri Lanka

Customer Rating
  • General
    90
    90%
  • Food
    84
    84%
  • Service
    90
    90%
  • Room
    89
    89%
  • Location
    97
    97%
Average Score - 97 Reviews
90.0
90.0%
Ratings based on real traveller reviews in past 2 years
Media Reviews
"'Brainchild of the famed tropical modernist architect Geoffrey Bawa, Heritance Kandalama takes its lead from nature, with an elegant structure that emerges from the surrounding, jungle clad rocks. Draped in greenery and home to a mind-numbing array of wildlife, the 152 room resort and spa flanks one corner of an enormous tank (man-made lake). …The resort is an excellent example of environmentally responsible practice that does not compromise a luxurious holiday experience.'"
Dawn Dlvecchio, Beyond, Aug
September 2010 More »
Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama
Price From:  US $ 213.72 (Superior A/C Dambulla Wing, BB Basis, Twin)
Swimming pool   Bicycle hire   Cable TV   DVD library   Spa   Ayurveda   Restaurant   Eco friendly   Bird Watching   Trekking  
Location
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Heritence Kandalama is one of Sri Lanka's most sought-after hotels. It snakes along a rocky outcrop on the edge of the ancient Kandalama reservoir. The hotel is favourably positioned in the cultural triangle, lying only a short drive - or cycle - from the Dambulla cave temples and Sigiriya lion rock. The ruined cities of Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa and the Minneriya wildlife sanctuary are also within an easy drive. The journey from Colombo will take about four hours.
Introduction
Heritance Kandalama is a minimalist, contemporary hotel designed by Sri Lanka's famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa who conceived it `as an austere jungle palace'. Kandalama is luxurious and widely adored, but it is this slightly stern feel that tends to disappoint a small minority who prefer a warmer, more natural atmosphere. The minimalist interiors and the building itself are cleverly designed to blend into the landscape without interfering with the tranquil surroundings. Bawa's design allows magnificent views of the ancient Sigiriya Rock, the surrounding mountains and the Kandalama Tank (reservoir). The hotel lies in attractive scrubland which is home to numerous species of birds, butterflies, monkeys, spotted deer and wild boar and it has won numerous environmental awards. Heritance Kandalama is truly a naturalist's dream. It is used by some large upmarket package groups, although the hotel has such a style that independent travellers rarely find this cause for dissatisfaction.
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Accommodation
The hotel's 152 luxurious rooms and suites are housed in two wings: the Dambulla Wing with views of the surrounding mountains, forest and Kandalama reservoir; and the Sigiriya Wing which captures breathtaking views of the Sigiriya Rock in addition to the surrounding wilderness, mountains and lake. Accommodation in the Sigirya wing includes the magnificent Royal Suite (the best room in the hotel), 10 Suites, 30 Deluxe Rooms, 30 Luxury Rooms and four Superior rooms. The Dambulla Wing has two Luxury Suites, one Suite, three Panoramic Rooms, three Luxury Rooms and 71 Superior Rooms. The spacious and elegantly furnished rooms have en suite bathrooms with rain showers and hot and cold water. The rooms have solid timber flooring with timber interiors and are highlighted with cloth tapestries. Other facilities include a/c, IDD phones, TV, tea/coffee making facility, minibar, and safe.

Superior Rooms (199 sq.ft.) - Located on 2nd to 5th floors of Dambulla Wing, these rooms have twin beds which can also be joined as a double bed. The ensuite bathroom has a shower cubicle with rain shower.

Luxury Rooms (277 sq.ft.) - Located on 2nd and 3rd floors of Sigiriya Wing, these rooms have twin beds which can be joined together as a double bed. The ensuite bathroom has a bath tub and shower cubicle with rain shower.

Panoramic Rooms (231 sq.ft.) - Located on 6th and 7th floors of Dambulla Wing, these rooms have twin beds which can also be joined as a double bed and has a choice of pillows to be selected from the pillow menu. The ensuite bathrooms have a Jacuzzi and rain shower.

Deluxe Rooms (264 sq.ft.) - Located on the 4th & 5th floors of Sigiriya Wing, these rooms have a double bed and pillow menu. The en suite bathrooms have a Jacuzzi and rain shower.

Suites (518 sq.ft.) - Located on Sigiriya and Dambulla wings, these suites have a living room with balcony and bedroom with balcony. Furnished with a King size bed, the suite also has a pillow menu, flat screen TV and DVD player. The ensuite bathroom has a Jacuzzi and rain shower.

Luxury Suites (775 sq.ft.) - Located on the Dambulla wing, these suites have four poster King size beds, pillow menu, flat screen TV and DVD player. The ensuite bathroom has Jacuzzi and rain shower.

Royal Suite (1,240 sq.ft.) - The most luxurious of them all, the Royal Suite located on the Sigiriya wing, has exquisite views of the Sigiriya rock fortress. The suite consists of a Master bedroom with balcony and attached bathroom, a Visitor's bedroom with balcony and attached bathroom, private dining and living areas. The bedrooms are furnished with king size four poster beds and have pillow menus, flat screen TV, and DVD player. The ensuite bathrooms have Jacuzzis and rain showers. The Sitting and dining areas are furnished with an eight-seater dining table, 32" flat screen TV and DVD player.

Facilities
Heritance Kandalama has generally been highly regarded for its cuisine, has three restaurants and a café, all with scenic views, offering a variety of Sri Lankan, western and eastern dishes. There has been criticism, however, of overpricing and overly formal service. There are also several `destination dining' options, from a picnic lunch to a traditional rice and curry meal with villagers in Puranagama. For pre-dinner cocktails or an aperitif, there is the Kanchana Lounge which also hosts a variety of nightly entertainment including cultural shows and other musical performances. The hotel has three swimming pools, a well-equipped gymnasium, tennis courts, billiards table and a mini shopping arcade. The recently-opened Six Senses Spa, with an extensive menu of spa treatments, is located on the top floor of the hotel, overlooking the lake. The Six Senses Spa has extensive spa experience within the Asian region, and provides rejuvenating therapies incorporating the traditional Ayurveda and aromatherapy spa treatments.
Excursions
The light tropical forest, caves and reservoir provide a natural habitat for a variety of fauna and flora including butterflies and dragonflies, deer, wild boar, porcupine and three species of monkeys. In addition, there are over 170 species of resident and migrant birds: babblers, barbets, bulbuls, parakeets, woodpeckers, sunbirds etc. Heritance Kandalama is a member of Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. Hike to the historic Aligala (Elephant Rock) jungle caves that date back to the third century BC or the Kandalama Rock itself. Cycle along quiet back roads past tiny rural villages. Experience a boat ride in an `Angula', a high floating raft, manned by two boatmen. Visit the bird island in the centre of the Kandalama Lake where egrets, herons, stork and brahminy kites roost for the night. There is also elephant trekking through the forest and along the lake and horse riding along nature trails and the lake. Heritance Kandalama also offers Hot Air Ballooning where a sunrise fight will let you experience the magic of the early morning skies whilst gently floating over rugged mountains, ancient temples and the Sigiriya rock fortress, reservoirs and lakes.
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