Your stay — Amaara Sky Hotel
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The Property — Amaara Sky Hotel
A clean, mid-range hotel perched on a hillside above Kandy Lake. The lobby is cool tiled floors and polite staff, with an open-air terrace that gives sweeping views across the city rooftops and the lake. It’s a practical choice for travellers wanting a reliable base within walking distance of the Temple of the Tooth, not a boutique experience or a resort. Best for couples or solo travellers who value location and a decent breakfast over frills.
Chronicles of Kandy
Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings, surviving Portuguese, Dutch and early British attempts at conquest until 1815. The city’s heart is the Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses a relic of the Buddha and anchors the annual Esala Perahera festival. After the British took control, they built neo‑Georgian and Victorian colonial buildings that still line the centre, mixing with Kandyan‑era architecture and later concrete blocks. Today Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second city, a lively hill‑station gateway to the central highlands, with a strong identity built around Buddhism, tourism and the university.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kandy guide →Best months
January and February: dry, cooler days in the highlands; the lake looks its best and the town is calm after the festive period.
Peak / festival surge
July and August, driven by the Esala Perahera procession (dates vary by moon phase, typically mid‑July to August). Hotel rates in Kandy rise sharply, rooms vanish months ahead, and the city gridlocks with devotees and tourists.
Budget shoulder season
March to April and September to November: rainfall picks up but crowds thin. Hotel prices drop 20‑30% from peak, and you’ll see the city without the crush.
Weather & packing
Kandy’s mild highland climate means it can rain any day, even in the ‘dry’ season. Pack a light rain jacket and closed‑toe shoes for walking the steep lanes; a sweater for evening breezes is essential.
Live City Briefing — Kandy
- Roadworks on the Kandy‑Colombo highway (A1) are causing delays of 45–60 minutes; allow extra time for airport transfers or book the hill‑country train instead for a scenic, punctual alternative.
- The Temple of the Tooth relic chamber closes for cleaning 12–1pm daily; avoid queueing for entry then. In July 2026, the Esala Perahera rehearsal processions start around July 10th, meaning centre streets shut in the evenings from 6pm.
- New pedestrian zone on lower D.S. Senanayake Street (by the lake) opened in early 2026 – useful for evening walks but expect extra police checks near the temple.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Amaara Sky Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the rear gardens rather than the street. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level bustle and lift noise, and the elevation gives you a better chance of seeing the surrounding hills over the treeline.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any facing AB Damunupola Mawatha directly. Ground-floor rooms pick up foot traffic and service noise, while street-facing rooms will suffer from tuk-tuk and vehicle sounds all day.
Best views
Rooms on the 4th floor, rear side, likely look out over the hotel's garden and the lower slopes of Kandy's hills. No ocean or lake, but a green outlook over the city's hilly texture.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest – above street level, below the roof (which might host equipment or staff areas), and away from the lobby and restaurant on the lower floors.
🔊 Noise notes
AB Damunupola Mawatha is a main road through Kandy's central area – expect constant traffic noise (buses, tuk-tuks, motorbikes) from early morning until late evening. The hotel’s lift might be audible if your room is near the core; best to request a room away from the lift shaft.
Insider tips
1. If driving, the hotel has limited parking on a narrow street; arrive early to snag a spot or they'll direct you to a paid lot 100 metres away. 2. Ask at check-in whether the rear garden rooms are available – they're not always advertised, but worth requesting for the quietest stay.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Amaara Sky Hotel
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 15 Mbps download; no login required, just accept terms on landing page
One passenger lift serving all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newspaper via PressReader on lobby tablet; no physical papers delivered
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged half-day rate (LKR 4,500), after 18:00 full night
Complimentary luggage storage for day of departure; secure room available
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift serves all floors, but no specially adapted room or grab rails in standard bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 12 cars; no valet; no EV charging; nearest public car park at Kandy Clock Tower (500m, LKR 100 per hour)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% service charge plus 12% VAT applicable on total bill; no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require credit card guarantee; LKR 5,000 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Sambodhi Viharaya (644 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sri Sambuddhaloka Samadhi Temple (841 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: Katukele Jumma Masjid (858 m · ~11 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pillaiyar Kovil (858 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mall — 710 m · ~9 min walk
Torrington Public Park — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Old Royal Palace — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Hindu Cultural Center — 747 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
NSB ATM — 705 m · ~9 min walk
Venus — 751 m · ~9 min walk
Chathura food Corner — 718 m · ~9 min walk
Kandy — 736 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use ATMs in Kandy city centre (around Dalada Veediya) for the best rates; avoid airport or hotel exchange counters which mark up heavily.
Cards work at mid-range hotels, supermarkets and tourist shops, but small eateries, tuk-tuks and markets take cash only; contactless is rare outside big chains.
Tip 10% at nicer restaurants if service charge isn't already added (check the bill). For taxis, round up to the nearest 100 LKR. Hotel porters get 100-200 LKR per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple Sri Lankan-style tea or instant coffee from a roadside kiosk or kade costs about 50–80 LKR.
A rice-and-curry plate at a local eatery runs around 300–500 LKR and comes with multiple veg sides and a roti or rice.
A main course at a modest restaurant (e.g. chicken or fish curry with rice) is 400–700 LKR.
Kandy city centre, especially along Dalada Veediya and near the clock tower, has street vendors selling egg roti, samosas, and fruit—prices from 30–100 LKR per item.
Cargills Food City and Keells Super are the most common budget supermarket chains in this area, good for basics and drinks.
Main Street (Dalada Veediya) has small clothing stalls, and the Kandy Market Hall sells budget t-shirts, sarongs, and everyday wear; not a fashion destination.
The cheapest way around is the local bus (20–50 LKR per ride) or a shared three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) for short hops (100–300 LKR). From Colombo airport, take the private bus (900–1,200 LKR) or the train from Colombo Fort (around 1,000 LKR) to Kandy station.
Eat at rice-and-curry places frequented by locals rather than hotel restaurants. Drink tap water only if boiled or filtered—buy 1.5 L water bottles for 40–60 LKR. Negotiate tuk-tuk fares before getting in; expect to pay 150–250 LKR for a short ride in town.
Emergency Contacts
KandyFor general emergencies in Kandy, dial 1990 (Tourist Police) from any phone. For assistance, contact the Kandy Police Station at +94 81 222 2261. Keep these numbers to hand. Also ask your hotel to confirm local contacts for medical help – they often know the best doctors.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kandy, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Amaara Sky Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · NSB ATM — 705 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Venus — 751 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Kandy Railway Station → Gampola Railway Station (2 km walk to hotel)
💡 Buy a second-class ticket for 30 LKR to guarantee a seat. The train winds through the Mahaweli River valley—sit on the left side for best views. From Gampola station, walk or take a tuk-tuk (150 LKR) uphill to the rest house.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Kandy city centre (Clock Tower stop), then onward bus to Gampola
💡 Take bus 187 from airport to Colombo Fort (100 LKR, 45 min), then a Kandy-bound bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha. The Gampola bus from Kandy’s Clock Tower is frequent but packed; sit if you can—it’s a 40-min ride.
Kandy (Goods Shed Bus Stand) → Gampola town centre (10 min walk to hotel)
💡 Catch bus #634 or any bus marked 'Gampola' from the Goods Shed—avoid private minibuses that charge double. Get off just past the Gampola clock tower and walk up the hill; the rest house is on your left.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Gampola Rest House, Kandy
💡 Pre-book with a driver from Kandy to avoid Colombo drivers who don't know the winding Gampola roads. Expect to pay 7000–9000 LKR; bargain hard if booking at the airport.
About Kandy
Wikipedia ↗
Kandy (Sinhala: මහනුවර, romanised: Mahanuwara [mahanuʋərə] ; Tamil: கண்டி, romanised: Kaṇṭi [ˈkaɳɖi] ) is a major city located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy from 1469 to 1818, under the Kingdom of Kandy. The city is situated in the midst of h...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Amaara Sky Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the rear gardens rather than the street. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level bustle and lift noise, and the elevation gives you a better chance of seeing the surrounding hills over the treeline.
Which rooms should I avoid at Amaara Sky Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any facing AB Damunupola Mawatha directly. Ground-floor rooms pick up foot traffic and service noise, while street-facing rooms will suffer from tuk-tuk and vehicle sounds all day.
Is Amaara Sky Hotel noisy?
AB Damunupola Mawatha is a main road through Kandy's central area – expect constant traffic noise (buses, tuk-tuks, motorbikes) from early morning until late evening. The hotel’s lift might be audible if your room is near the core; best to request a room away from the lift shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Amaara Sky Hotel?
Rooms on the 4th floor, rear side, likely look out over the hotel's garden and the lower slopes of Kandy's hills. No ocean or lake, but a green outlook over the city's hilly texture.
What are insider tips for staying at Amaara Sky Hotel?
1. If driving, the hotel has limited parking on a narrow street; arrive early to snag a spot or they'll direct you to a paid lot 100 metres away. 2. Ask at check-in whether the rear garden rooms are available – they're not always advertised, but worth requesting for the quietest stay.
What time is check-in at Amaara Sky Hotel?
Check-in at Amaara Sky Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Amaara Sky Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 15 Mbps download; no login required, just accept terms on landing page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Amaara Sky Hotel?
10% service charge plus 12% VAT applicable on total bill; no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Amaara Sky Hotel?
A rice-and-curry plate at a local eatery runs around 300–500 LKR and comes with multiple veg sides and a roti or rice.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Amaara Sky Hotel?
The cheapest way around is the local bus (20–50 LKR per ride) or a shared three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) for short hops (100–300 LKR). From Colombo airport, take the private bus (900–1,200 LKR) or the train from Colombo Fort (around 1,000 LKR) to Kandy station.
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
January and February: dry, cooler days in the highlands; the lake looks its best and the town is calm after the festive period.
Top Attractions in Kandy
💡 Walk anticlockwise for the best sunset views over the temple. Go early morning (before 7am) to see monitor lizards swimming and monks doing their rounds.
💡 Go at sunrise (6am) for clear views before the haze rolls in. You can also walk up from the city in 25 minutes – the path starts near the Kandy Lake car park. Take water.
💡 The museum is small and takes only 45 minutes. The best items are the golden throne and the ivory–embedded swords. Skip if you're short on time – it's basic and dimly lit.
💡 Visit after 5pm for the daily puja ceremony – fewer crowds and the golden roof shines in evening light. Entrance is cheaper if you skip the museum add-on.
💡 Buy only a basic entry ticket – ignore the extras for the orchid house. Visit on a weekday morning to avoid Sri Lankan school groups. Take mosquito repellent.