If you’re looking for the best Kandy city hotels, the good news is that you don’t need to stay far out of town to get a view. Kandy is built around its lake, with hills rising on every side, so even a mid-range room in the city can look out over the water, the Temple of the Tooth, or the green ridges beyond.
Staying in the city means you can walk to the Temple, the lake round, the markets and most of the restaurants and bars in town, and skip the daily tuk tuk rides in and out. It also puts you right on the route if you’re visiting during the Esala Perahera, when the whole city fills up.
I was born and raised in Kandy, so this list leans on what locals know about these places, not just what the booking sites say. Here are 26 of the best Kandy city hotels, grouped from old colonial classics to budget rooms in the middle of town.
Where to Stay in Kandy City
Before picking a hotel, it helps to know the three main areas, because each one changes how your stay feels.
The town centre is the grid of streets around Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Street and Colombo Street. You can walk everywhere, but it’s busy and noisy during the day, and views are limited unless you’re high up.
Around the lake means the roads circling Kandy Lake, mainly Sangaraja Mawatha, Rajapihilla Mawatha and Saranankara Road. This is where most of the hotels with lake and temple views sit. It’s quieter, but some of these roads climb steeply, so the walk back up can be tiring.
The hills just outside town include Anniewatta, Lady Gordon’s Drive, Ampitiya Road, Katugastota Road and the Mahaweli riverbank. You get bigger pools, wider views and more space, but you’ll need a tuk tuk or your own vehicle to get into town.
| Area | Walk to Temple | Best for | Hotels on this list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town centre | 2–10 minutes | Budget stays, first-time visitors, Perahera | Queens, Casamara, Radh, Kandy City Hotel, Urban Kandy City, Yak City, Charlton |
| Around the lake | 10–25 minutes | Views, couples, quieter nights | Suisse, Radisson, Grand Serendib, The Trees, Thilanka, Ru, Viyana, Hotel Yo, Heaven Seven, Kandy City View, Lakewood, Sesatha, Senani, 360 View Point |
| Hills and outskirts | Tuk tuk needed | Families, pools, resort feel | Grand Kandyan, Topaz, Golden Crown, Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy Myst |
Heritage and Colonial Hotels
1. Queens Hotel
If you want to be in the absolute centre of Kandy, it doesn’t get closer than Queens. The hotel sits on Dalada Veediya, directly across from the Temple of the Tooth, with Kandy City Centre (KCC) right next door and the lake on the other side.
It’s one of the city’s best-known colonial buildings, and during the Esala Perahera its balcony rooms are some of the most sought-after in Kandy, since the procession passes right below. The rooms are on the dated side, and guests often mention the bathrooms could use an update, but you’re paying for the location and the history as much as the room.
The breakfast buffet gets good reviews, and the East Ceylon Cafe on the ground floor is a nice spot for a coffee even if you’re not staying.
Best for: Perahera season, first-time visitors who want to walk everywhere
Location: Dalada Veediya, Kandy (opposite the Temple of the Tooth)
Phone: +94 812 233 026
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
2. Hotel Suisse
Hotel Suisse is a grand old colonial hotel on Sangaraja Mawatha, set right on the edge of Kandy Lake. It’s about a 10-minute walk along the lake to the Temple, which is one of the nicest short walks in the city, especially in the early morning.
The hotel has a pool that works well for kids, a spa, and gardens that give it a calm, resort-like feel despite being so close to town. Room categories include Heritage and Vintage rooms, and the older rooms keep a lot of their original character.
The buffet, especially the Sri Lankan dishes, is one of the things guests mention most.
Best for: Couples and families who want colonial charm with a pool
Location: No. 30, Sangaraja Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 222 637
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
3. Hotel Casamara
Hotel Casamara is on E.L. Senanayake Veediya, about two minutes on foot from Kandy City Centre. It’s an older hotel, and it doesn’t pretend otherwise, but it’s comfortable, clean and well run, and the location is hard to beat for the price.
The highlight is the rooftop. The Stag’s Head Pub up there is one of the most storied bars in Kandy, set in a building with roots as a British officers’ club, and it made our list of the best spots to grab a cold beer in Kandy. There’s also a pool, and rooms come with balconies.
Parking is available but fills quickly, since the area around it gets busy.
Best for: Travellers who want a central base with a rooftop bar
Location: No. 12, E.L. Senanayake Veediya, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 224 688
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Upscale Hotels
4. Radisson Hotel Kandy
The Radisson is one of the most popular hotels in Kandy right now, and it’s easy to see why. It’s close to the city: if you’re on the lake round, take the road heading up towards the Hillwood College primary gate and you’ll find it on Saranankara Road.
The rooms are modern and spacious, and the rooftop is the big draw, with a pool and the Bommu Rooftop Bar looking out over the city and, on a clear day, all the way to the Knuckles range. I’ve had a beer tower up there with some complimentary bites, and the kottu with fish curry was excellent. There’s a separate underground car park, so parking is never a problem.
The breakfast spread is one of the best in the city, and the hotel also does a lot of weddings and events, so expect the occasional busy weekend.
Best for: Modern comfort, rooftop views, families
Location: No. 31, Saranankara Road, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 030 700
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
5. The Grand Kandyan Hotel
The Grand Kandyan sits on Lady Gordon’s Drive, on the hillside about a kilometre north of the town centre, and you can’t miss it. The whole building is designed to feel like a palace, with a grand, heavily decorated lobby that some guests love and others find a bit over the top.
It’s marketed as a five-star hotel and has one of the biggest pools in Kandy, which is great for kids. Non-guests can also pay for pool access, which makes it a popular spot for locals on a hot afternoon. Some reviewers mention signs of wear in the rooms, so it’s worth checking recent reviews for the room type you’re booking.
The views over the city and hills are excellent, but you’ll want a tuk tuk to get into town.
Best for: Families, big pool days, a grand setting
Location: No. 89/10, Lady Gordon’s Drive, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 030 400
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
6. The Golden Crown Hotel
The Golden Crown is a five-star hotel on Ampitiya Road, about 2 km from Kandy Lake. It’s only been around for five or six years, and it feels like it: the design is modern and calm, the rooms are spacious, and the facilities include a kids’ club and playground.
The infinity pool looks out over paddy fields and hills, and in the evening you can watch birds fly over the fields as the sun sets. The hotel has two bars, one in each wing, and their CITTA bar made our beer list too. If you’re ordering food there, get the buffalo wings. The buffets get great reviews, with a wide spread of cuisines.
It’s a short tuk tuk ride or a longer walk into town, so it suits people who want a resort feel without leaving Kandy.
Best for: Luxury, families, a quiet resort-style stay
Location: No. 322, Udugama, Ampitiya Road, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 244 000
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
7. Hotel Topaz
Hotel Topaz sits high on the hill at Anniewatta, on the western side of the city, and the setting is the reason to stay here. From the rooftop you get a wide, sweeping view over Kandy and the surrounding hills.
The rooms are spacious with large bathrooms, the food spread is generous, and there’s often live music in the evenings. It’s a popular staycation spot for Sri Lankans as well as foreign travellers.
The road up is steep and it’s a drive to the town centre, so plan on tuk tuks or your own transport.
Best for: Views, a relaxed staycation
Location: Anniewatta Road, Kandy
Phone: +94 817 389 000
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
8. Grand Serendib Hotel
Grand Serendib is on Mahamaya Mawatha, on the hill above the lake. Every room has a private balcony, and the views over the city and hills are the main selling point.
There’s a rooftop restaurant and an infinity pool overlooking the city, plus a sky bar. A couple of things to know: rooms directly under the sky bar can pick up noise in the evening, and some guests say the final bill came out higher than the menu prices suggested, so check what taxes and service charges are added before you order.
Best for: Couples, balcony views
Location: No. 12, Mahamaya Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 244 333
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
9. The Trees Kandy
The Trees is a stylish, modern hotel on Rajapihilla Mawatha, within walking distance of the town centre. Several guests describe its view of Kandy Lake as the best hotel view in the city, and the rooftop infinity pool is where you’ll want to spend your evenings.
There’s a pool bar, a restaurant with both Sri Lankan and Western dishes, and a small café. One tip: if you book a mountain-view room, ask which side it faces, since some look out over the road and can be noisy.
Best for: Couples, lake views, a design-led stay
Location: No. 41, Rajapihilla Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 817 433 433
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
10. Thilanka Hotel
Thilanka is one of the most famous hotels in Kandy, a large property on Sangamitta Mawatha with an older wing and a newer one. The pool bar sits on the edge of a cliff, with the whole city and the mountains laid out in front of you.
Go around 6 PM and you’ll catch the sunset, which is honestly one of the best places I’ve been for a beer in Kandy. Beer is pricey here, around Rs. 2,500 a bottle, but the setting is worth it at least once. The hotel is also a favourite for birthday and anniversary celebrations, and its dinner buffet draws plenty of locals.
Best for: Sunset views, celebrations, families
Location: No. 03, Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 814 475 200
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
11. Cinnamon Citadel Kandy
Cinnamon Citadel sits on the banks of the Mahaweli River, a few kilometres west of the town centre on Srimath Kudarathwatta Mawatha. It used to be known as Chaaya Citadel, and it’s one of the longest-running big hotels in the Kandy area.
The river is the reason to stay here. Many rooms look out over the water, and the grounds feel calm and green, a real change from the traffic in town. The buffets get excellent reviews, and the staff are known for going out of their way for families with small children and for birthday or anniversary surprises.
You’ll need a tuk tuk or your own vehicle to get into the city, so it suits people who want a quiet riverside base rather than a walk-everywhere stay.
Best for: Families, celebrations, a peaceful riverside stay
Location: Srimath Kudarathwatta Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 234 365
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
12. Kandy Myst by Cinnamon
Kandy Myst is one of the newest hotels in Kandy, on Katugastota Road about two kilometres north of the town centre. Everything is modern, from the rooms to the dining areas, and the views out over the surrounding hills are excellent.
The pool area is the highlight: a heated swimming pool (a nice touch on a cool Kandy evening), a separate kids’ pool, and a pool bar. The dinner and breakfast buffets at the Grains restaurant are generous, and the half-board packages are often good value.
As with the other hotels outside the centre, plan on transport to get into town.
Best for: Families, a brand-new hotel, heated pool
Location: No. 273, Katugastota Road, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 042 000
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Boutique Hotels
13. The Radh Hotel
The Radh is a boutique hotel on Colombo Street, right in the heart of town and a short walk from both the lake and the Temple. It has an old colonial look on the outside and well-designed, comfortable rooms inside, including suites with a jacuzzi on the balcony and others with a small plunge pool.
During the Esala Perahera, the hotel sets up a grandstand outside so guests get a clear view of the procession, often with dinner included. The reception and door are staffed around the clock, which guests appreciate. The one complaint that comes up is slow service in the restaurant at busy times.
Best for: Couples, Perahera season, a central boutique stay
Location: No. 30, Colombo Street, Kandy
Phone: +94 77 843 7423
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
14. Ru Boutique
Ru Boutique is a beautifully refurbished colonial house on Sangaraja Mawatha, overlooking Kandy Lake. It’s about a 700-metre walk around the lake to the Temple and the cultural centre.
Some rooms have large decks looking out over the garden and the lake, and the service is the thing almost every guest talks about. It’s a romantic spot, and the hotel arranges candlelight dinners if you’re celebrating. You will hear some traffic from the road nearby, but it’s a calm, green place overall.
Best for: Couples, honeymoons, a quiet colonial stay
Location: No. 34J, Sangaraja Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 70 602 0201
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
15. Viyana Boutique Hotel
Viyana sits right on the lake road at Sangaraja Mawatha, and many rooms have balconies facing the water, which makes it a good place to watch the sunset. You can walk along the lake to the Temple and the town centre.
Rooms are spacious and spotlessly clean, and the top room comes with a jacuzzi and great views. Two things to know: there’s no lift, so the top floors mean four or five flights of stairs, and the hotel is on a busy road, so it can get noisy at peak hours. If you’re driving, you’ll need to go all the way around the lake to get into town.
Best for: Lake views on a mid-to-upper budget
Location: No. 56, Sangaraja Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 220 070
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
16. Hotel Yo
Hotel Yo is a small, colonial-style hotel on Mahamaya Mawatha, above the lake. It feels a world away from the busy town centre, yet it’s only a short walk down into town, or a few minutes by tuk tuk.
The hotel has been around for a long time and the rooms are a little old-fashioned, but they’re large and very clean, and the view over the lake is one of the highlights. There’s a pool, and the staff get consistently good reviews. Breakfast is a big spread, though a few guests say the hot dishes could be kept warmer.
Best for: A peaceful, good-value stay with a view and a pool
Location: No. 1/5, Mahamaya Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 062 025
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Mid-Range Hotels
17. Heaven Seven Hotel
Heaven Seven is on the road up past Hillwood College, high enough that you get views in two directions: the Temple of the Tooth on one side, and Kandy Lake and the town on the other. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and it works well for families.
The food gets a lot of praise, with both local and international dishes. One tip: if you book by phone, ask for a written confirmation, since at least one guest arrived to find their phone booking hadn’t reached the front desk.
Best for: Families, views on a mid-range budget
Location: No. 25/8, Sangaraja Mawatha (Hillwood College Road), Kandy
Phone: +94 814 954 234
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
18. Kandy City View
Kandy City View is on Saranankara Road, close to the town centre, with rooms that look out over the city. It’s a good-value option that’s easy to recommend for a night or two between Ella and Sigiriya.
The hotel has its own pizza restaurant, and the pizzas get surprisingly good reviews. Breakfast is a plated English breakfast. Family rooms can be a little tight, but the balconies make up for it.
Best for: Value for money, short stopovers
Location: No. 56, Saranankara Road, Kandy
Phone: +94 817 601 600
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
19. Lakewood Residence
Lakewood Residence is on Rajapihilla Mawatha, within walking distance of the Temple and the town. The lake-view balconies and the breakfast are its strongest points, and the night view over Kandy from some rooms is lovely.
Reviews are mixed, though. Some rooms are showing their age, Wi-Fi can be weak, and one guest felt they were upsold to a “lake view” room that matched what they’d already booked. Check exactly which room you’re getting before you pay extra.
Best for: A budget-friendly lake view, if you check the room first
Location: No. 39/3, Rajapihilla Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 225 650
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
20. Sesatha Lake Kandy
Sesatha Lake sits uphill on Sangaraja Mawatha, with views over the lake and about a 10-minute walk down into town. The best rooms are large and modern, with spacious balconies where you can have your morning tea.
It’s a smaller hotel with fewer reviews, and they swing between glowing and disappointed, mostly depending on the room and maintenance at the time. It’s worth reading the most recent reviews before booking.
Best for: A quiet, uphill stay with a view
Location: No. 8/24, Sangaraja Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 203 802
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
21. Kandy City Hotel by Earl’s
Kandy City Hotel is right in the middle of town on Yatinuwara Street, next to the Silverdale shopping complex. You can walk to the Temple, the bus station, shops and restaurants without needing transport.
Rooms are clean and comfortable, prices are reasonable, and the staff are friendly. The hotel’s air-conditioned bar, The Last Drop, is also on our beer list. There’s no parking of its own, so if you’re driving you’ll need to use public parking nearby.
Best for: A central, no-fuss base in town
Location: No. 37, Yatinuwara Street, Kandy
Phone: +94 812 220 002
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
22. Senani Hotel (Oak Ray Senani)
Senani Hotel, now run as Oak Ray Senani, sits high on Rajapihilla Mawatha above the lake, with a wide view over the city. It’s a short tuk tuk ride or a downhill walk into town.
The restaurant is the hotel’s strong point. Guests regularly praise the dining staff and the food, and the kitchen is happy to make dishes that aren’t on the menu, which helps if you’re travelling with young children. Rooms are comfortable, and staff are quick to sort out problems, though the front desk can be less attentive at busy times.
Best for: City views, families, good food on site
Location: No. 167/1, Rajapihilla Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 77 057 3333
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
23. 360 View Point by Queens Mount
The name says it all. 360 View Point sits high on Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe Mawatha above the lake, and from the room balconies, the reception and the rooftop you get a panoramic view over the whole of Kandy, with the lake below. Sunset here is something special.
Rooms are spacious and clean, with comfortable beds and air conditioning, and the restaurant is good enough that people come up just for the food and the view. The small pool isn’t always well kept, according to some guests, but for the price, the views are hard to beat.
Best for: Views on a budget, solo travellers, sunset dinners
Location: No. 9, Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe Mawatha, Kandy
Phone: +94 77 100 8900
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Budget Stays
24. Urban Kandy City Hotel
Urban Kandy City is a compact hotel on Yatinuwara Street, right in the heart of town. The entrance is a little unusual, set below street level, so keep an eye out for it. Once inside, the rooms are clean, quiet and comfortable, which isn’t always easy to find on a main street.
Supermarkets, restaurants and the Temple are all within walking distance, and tuk tuks are easy to find outside. The hosts get warm praise for their help and advice, and it’s one of the best-value stays in the city centre.
Best for: Budget travellers who want to be in the middle of town
Location: No. 110, Yatinuwara Street, Kandy
Phone: +94 70 237 3546
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
25. Yak City Apartments
Yak City Apartments is a small, family-run place on Yatinuwara Street, a few minutes’ walk from the Temple, KCC and the railway station. Some rooms come with a small stove, which is handy if you want to make your own breakfast or coffee.
It’s basic. There’s no proper reception desk, Wi-Fi costs extra, and some rooms, including a basement room, have no window or air conditioning, so ask before you book. For a short, cheap stay right in town, though, it does the job.
Best for: Short, cheap stays; self-catering
Location: No. 104/1, Yatinuwara Street, Kandy
Phone: +94 75 706 2271
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
26. Charlton Kandy Rest
Charlton Kandy Rest is on Raja Veediya, about two minutes on foot from the Temple of the Tooth, which is about as central as it gets at this price. It’s a no-frills guesthouse with shared bathrooms.
Reviews are very mixed. Some guests find it clean, quiet and great value, while others were put off by thin partition walls between rooms. Go in expecting a basic room and a great location, and it can work well for a night or two.
Best for: Backpackers, one-night stays on a tight budget
Location: No. 31, Raja Veediya, Kandy
Phone: +94 75 593 9300
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Tips for Booking a Hotel in Kandy City
- Book early for the Perahera. During the Esala Perahera in July or August, rooms in the town centre sell out and prices rise sharply. Hotels on the procession route, like Queens and The Radh, are booked well in advance.
- Check the hill before you book. Many lake-view hotels sit on steep roads. They’re walkable going down, but the climb back up is hard work in the afternoon heat.
- Ask about lifts. Several smaller hotels have no lift, so a “top room with a view” can mean four or five flights of stairs.
- Plan your parking. Hotels in the town centre often have no parking of their own, and public parking fills up fast. Hotels around the lake and in the hills usually have space.
- Read the bill. Most hotel restaurants add a 10% service charge plus government taxes on top of menu prices, so the final total can be noticeably higher./li>
- Think about noise. Rooms facing Sangaraja Mawatha, Dalada Veediya and the other main roads pick up traffic noise, especially in the morning.
Final Thoughts
Kandy is a small city, so wherever you stay on this list, you’re never far from the lake and the Temple. If you want history, go for Queens, Suisse or Casamara. If you want a pool and a view, the hotels around the lake and in the hills are hard to beat. And if you just need a clean bed in the middle of town, the budget options on Yatinuwara Street will do the job.
Once you’ve checked in, head out for the evening with our guide to the best spots to grab a cold beer in Kandy, or if you’d rather bring your own bottle to dinner, see our list of the best BYOB places in Kandy. Looking for something more unusual just outside the city? Read about our stay at Adigar’s Manor, a 222-year-old walauwa near Gunnepana.
