Accommodation Media
Awards
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
Presidential Award
Presidential Awards for Travel & Tourism 2007 - Sri Lanka Tourism
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
Special Projects on Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2007 - The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
Hotel Award 2007 - Hotel Club
Best Hotels and Resorts in Asia
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
President’s Environmental Award 2005
Presented by the President of Sri Lanka for the hotel sector for excellent environmental practices with the least impact on the environment.
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
SAGA Good Food Award 2005
In recognition for the service, variety and quality of food. Heritance Kandalama has won this award for 10 consecutive years
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
Ultimate Service Award 2001
For the Indian Sub-continent & Indian Ocean Region presented by CNN, American Express & Taylor Nelson Sofres Hospitality & Leisure
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
First hotel in the world to be awarded the prestigious 'LEED'(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Certification in 2000 Awarded by the American Green Building Council
 
SriLanka Accommodation Awards
First Green Globe 21
First Green Globe 21 Certified Hotel in Asia
 
 
Media Review
Dawn Dlvecchio, Beyond, Aug , Sep 2010
'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.'
Lonely Planet , Jan 2009
'Kandalama has a `wow’ factor that is rare in these parts. Designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, the hotel emerges from the forest lie a lost city, its walls and roofs covered in vines that allow it to blend into the natural environment. The hotel has won all sorts of awards for its environmentally friendly design and its superb cuisine. There is no shortage of activities on offer, including bird watching walks, 4 WD safaris, and …..there’s a hotel supported traditional village, Puranagama.'
Royston Ellis, SriLanka – The Bradt Travel Guide, Second Edition , Sep 2005
'Before this hotel was built on the fringe of 2,000 hectares of primary forest overlooking the Kandalama reservoir, there was a rumpus over its possible effect on the environment. Now it is praised as a model of hotel development with in an ecologically sensitive area. It is still a shock to see it, apparently locked to a cliff face with the jungle vegetation, and monkeys gradually claiming it, which is what the architect, Geoffrey Bawa, intended….it is an experience to stay here, sometimes a trying one since it’s a kilometre long and requires stamina to get from bedroom to bar….It’s effect on the environment is now seen as being sustaining.'
Edward Aves, Footprint Sri Lanka, Fourth Edition
'Winner of many awards including Asia’s first Green Globe….built between massive rock and peaceful tank and indistinguishable from its jungle surrounds..with excellent cuisine and full facilities, 3 pools including one of the most spectacularly sited swimming pools in the world with crystal clear water…magnificent views across undisturbed forest, magical details, exceptional service.'
Channa Daswatte, Sri Lanka Style - Tropical Design and Architecture, pp164, , 2006
'The hotel derives its special status from a building where the architecture, especially from the inside, almost entirely disappears. The landscape dominates it from every angle…..and is literally taking over the building. The simple palette of concrete frame structures and black aluminium glazing creates simple volumes and spaces to inhabit. The hotel, as Bawa once observed, is `merely a belvedere' from which to observe the sweeping panorama of landscape and history laid before it'
Brian Brace Taylor, Geoffrey Bawa, Revised edition , 2006
'If you’re interested in modern Sri Lankan architecture, this Geoffrey Bawa designed place will set your heart racing. …the design beautifully complements the landscape'
Gavin Thomas, Rough Guide to Sri Lanka, 2nd Edition , 2006
'On the beautiful Dambulla Lake, this is one of the country’s most famous hotels, and ranks amongst the finest works of outstanding Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. The hotel managers to be simultaneously huge..but almost invisible, being built into a hillside and concealed under a carefully nurtured canopy of jungly growth, so that nature is never far away.'
Customer Feedback
Dec 28, 2009 : Everything about this hotel was fantastic. The setting was beautiful. The staff could not have been nicer and any more helpful. The food was very nice with a very wide choice. We would definitely stay here again.
--- HB – Wigston
Sep 02, 2009 : Location of hotel is great for the view from lobby and swimming pool. Rooms were clean and ok. Food choice was too limited. Worst part of this hotel was the service. Especially when ordering some food and drinks.
-- AH – Singapore,
Aug 10, 2009 : We love this Hotel! Lovely spa bath in room, fabulous wildlife. Only quibble – restaurant is a bit soulless. Beverage and drinks are very expensive.
--- DB – London-
Aug 04, 2008 : A stunning location, an amazing feat of architecture and almost at one with nature. The main restaurant was very good and the fine dining restaurant was excellent.
CA – Cheshire, Uk
Aug 04, 2008 : Fantastic location and architecture
AG – Hants, UK
Jul 27, 2008 : Great location. Staff good.
DW – London, UK
Jul 15, 2008 : Location and view was superb. Would have preferred a separate shower to Jacuzzi.
DB – Suffolk, UK
Apr 06, 2008 : A stunning hotel. I have never stayed in anywhere like this. The service, food, Room and wildlife around the hotel all made our stay at the hotel unique and unforgettable.
AW – Manchester, UK
Mar 22, 2008 : Lovely hotel. Service was over bearing with waiters fussing at table all through meal times.
BG – Derbyshire, UK
Mar 15, 2008 : A fantastic hotel. One of our favourites. But the piped music was killing and annoying. It spoiled the atmosphere.
CM – Nottingham, UK
Mar 13, 2008 : Fantastic birdlife. Loved the bats too.
JC – Essex, UK
Mar 07, 2008 : Second visit, so knew what to except. Disappointed that despite paying extra for luxury room. View of lake was minimal. Definitely recommend early morning lake safari for 2 hours trip that was idyllic.
JM – Gloucestershire, UK
Dec 03, 2007 : : We stayed here three nights and were very glad we did, probably the highlight of our trip accommodation wise. Architecturally it is a real stunner, and the way it's built into the rock is beautiful. We did a birdwatching tour at 6am one morning and it was very good. The food was good and plenty of choice, and the room lovely. Service - regarding delivery of bags and a problem with Jacuzzi was very, very slow, but we soon forgot about this.
JS - Dorset
Aug 24, 2007 : Fabulous location, impeccable service, breathtaking pool with monkeys and bats as a bonus.
JE – Bishop Auckland
Aug 10, 2007 : Wonderful setting, great pool and food for a buffet-style was very good. The only large hotel we stayed in and better than expected.
JP – London, UK
Apr 10, 2007 : Paradise. What more can we say?
NW – Leeds, UK
Mar 10, 2007 : The staff were the friendliest I have ever met in a hotel. Genuinely interested and proud of their hotel.
LB – Kingston
Feb 24, 2007 : An excellent hotel in all respects.
JPW – Rutland
Feb 14, 2007 : A beautiful, enchanting environment.
OB – London, UK

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