Heritance Kandalama

Welcome to a very special Sri Lanka hotel. A hotel that doesn’t sit on the landscape but is part of it. Where monkeys climb your balcony pillars as if they were trees, swifts nest in the corners of corridors as if they were cliffs, and granite crags erupt into the sinuous white walkways. Where you can float in the infinity pool while gazing across at the Sigiriya rock fortress, the eighth wonder of the world. Welcome to Heritance Kandalama, one of the premier 5 Star hotels in Sri lanka.   Heritance Kandalama is an architectural masterpiece by Geoffrey Bawa, built overlooking the eighth wonder of the world – the rock fortress of Sigiriya. The hotel sits at the heart of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, close to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The unpaved road through the jungle gives no clue to what to expect – there are no views of the hotel on the horizon. Then suddenly, as you drive up a ramp, a cave-like entrance appears. And even as you step into another world of minimalist white pillars and cool curving corridors, enormous boulders intrude and birdsong hangs in the air.   The theme continues throughout the hotel. Heritance Kandalama is shaped like the outspread wings of a bird, following the line of the cliff from which it seems to emerge. The hotel is a staggering 1km from end to end, and rises up seven floors, yet appears to be a perfectly natural extension of the mountainside. The flat roof and timber pillars support a screen of vegetation that attracts local wildlife.   The abundance of real-life animals around the hotel is complemented by wonderful large-scale sculptures within it. A metal owl is suspended outside the main restaurant; wooden elephants inhabit the lounge; a stone cobra uncoils along the terrace overlooking the infinity pool. However, while focussing on highlighting its enchanting natural surroundings, our luxury resort in Sri Lanka gives priority to providing its guests with the finest comforts and service.

Room

The 152 rooms at Heritance Kandalama showcase the architectural genius of Geoffrey Bawa. Split between two wings, all rooms overlook the Kandalama tank and forest. Those in the Dambulla wing also have views of the enormous Buddha on Dambulla Rock, while rooms in the Sigiriya wing look out over the famous rock fortress. Every room is set at a different angle from its neighbours, so the view from each is unique. Entering your room is like entering your own private world – a five-star cocoon at the centre of the 230-acre Kandalama estate. Polished wood floors and sophisticated colour palettes of black, grey and red are complemented by local fabrics and hangings.The glass-fronted bathrooms make you feel part of the natural landscape outside: you can take a refreshing shower or relax in the Jacuzzi without fear of being overlooked (except maybe by the monkeys who casually clamber up the creepers on your balcony!). Each bathroom is tastefully supplied with custom-made Kandalama toiletries.

Dining

Heritance cuisine takes the best local ingredients and techniques and combines them with Western presentation and influences to produce healthy dishes that look stunning and taste divine. We use no artificial flavours, fragrances, sauces or animal fats. And we serve it in courses, unlike traditional Sri Lankan dishes, which are presented all together. Because Heritance cuisine relies on local and regional ingredients, you will find different specialities at each Heritance hotel. For example, at Heritance Kandalama, our Indigenous Gourmet Spice Dinner provides a showcase for Heritance cuisine. And if you’d like to try spicing up your cooking at home, the Kandalama cookbook includes a whole section on Heritance cuisine.

Recreation

Immediately around the hotel we offer lots of other activities to help you explore the wonders of the natural environment. You can go on nature trails or jungle treks , or view the hotel from the water or air. Or explore the area by bike or on the back of a horse or elephant. Some activities may be seasonal or may be cancelled in poor weather. Participation is at your own risk.