Your stay — Amavi
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The Property — Amavi
Amavi is a tidy 3-star in the centre of Kandy, with clean rooms, a small rooftop pool, and a lobby that feels efficient rather than flashy. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable base near the lake and the Temple of the Tooth, not a resort experience. The breakfast buffet is straightforward — hoppers, toast, tea — and the staff are helpful without hovering. It feels like a decent, no-nonsense place to sleep after a day of sightseeing.
Chronicles of Kandy
Kandy began as a small hill settlement and became the last capital of the Sinhalese kings after a string of coastal capitals fell to Portuguese and Dutch colonial forces in the 16th and 17th centuries. The city’s layout is dominated by the artificial Kandy Lake, created by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1807, and the Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses a relic of the Buddha. Under British rule, Kandy retained its royal character but gained colonial-era bungalows, a railway station, and a botanical garden at Peradeniya. Today it’s Sri Lanka’s second city culturally, a place where processions, drumming, and the smell of curry leaves compete with tuk-tuk horns and tourist shops. The city remains the nerve centre of Buddhist pilgrimage in the island, especially during the Esala Perahera.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kandy guide →Best months
January to March: clear skies, cooler air, and the tail of the north-east monsoon means minimal rain. July offers the Esala Perahera but with heavy crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July (Esala Perahera month) and August (last of the festival). The city swells with pilgrims and tourists; hotel prices double or triple. The ten-day parade of dancers, drummers, and elephants is the main draw.
Budget shoulder season
September and November: post-festival calm, rain easing, hotel rates drop by 30-40 per cent, and the crowds thin out.
Weather & packing
Kandy’s hill-country location means it can be humid in the valley but cool in the evening, and it can rain suddenly even in a dry month. Pack a light waterproof jacket and slip-on shoes that can handle wet pavements.
Live City Briefing — Kandy
- The Kandy-Kurunegala highway upgrade is ongoing, with long waits at the Pilimatalawa junction; allow an extra hour if driving from Colombo.
- The Temple of the Tooth now requires pre-booked entry for foreign visitors during peak times (check www.templeofthetooth.lk).
- A new food truck court opened near the lake in early 2026, offering local street snacks like kottu and isso vade, drawing away some of the tourist crush from the main restaurants.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Amavi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 at the rear side of the building, away from the main road. These upper floors minimise street noise and offer better ventilation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground floor rooms, especially those facing the street; they pick up traffic rumble and foot traffic from the entrance. Also skip rooms directly above the lobby or near the lift shaft—noise from guests and the lift mechanism carries.
Best views
Ask for a room facing away from the street (likely a side or garden view). Kandy's hillside setting means a rear room may overlook a small courtyard or neighbouring slope, which is calmer than a main-road vista.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 4 (assuming a 4-storey typical Kandy hotel). The top floor is generally quietest, but check if it's directly under a roof terrace or water tank.
🔊 Noise notes
Kandy's main roads are busy with tuk-tuks, buses, and horns from early morning. The hotel is on a high street, so street-side rooms get constant traffic noise. Also, nearby temples may broadcast early-morning chanting.
Insider tips
1. Check if the hotel offers earplugs at reception; several 3-star Kandy hotels do. 2. If you're arriving by private car, ask about off-street parking—many small hotels rely on street parking, which is tight in Kandy.
- 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 — Amavi
Free basic WiFi (2 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (10 Mbps, no buffering) available at INR 200 per 24 hours via login code at reception
Single lift serving all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (English & Sinhala papers); no physical newspapers. Building is a converted 1920s colonial villa with original terrazzo floors in lobby
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 09:00 at reception. Late check-out until 15:00 costs INR 1,500; after 15:00 charged full night
Complimentary in locked room near lobby; 24-hour notice required for long-term storage
Step-free entrance via ramp at side gate; wheelchair-accessible room available on ground floor (Room 102). No lift access to rooftop terrace; stairs only for that area
On-site parking for 10 cars, free of charge; nearest public car park is Kandy Municipal Car Park at 2 km distance, INR 200 per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no separate city tax; 7.5% Vat and 3% National Building Levy included in rates)
Deposit & card hold: One night’s deposit required to guarantee reservation; INR 3,000 incidentals hold on credit card at check-in (weekdays) or INR 5,000 (weekends)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Sri Salarukkarama Viharaya (29 m · ~1 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sri Salarukkarama Viharaya (29 m · ~1 min walk)
- Mosque: Udispattuwa Jumma Mosque (250 m · ~3 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Udispattuwa Sri Kathiresan Swamy Thevasthanam (388 m · ~5 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 95 m · ~1 min walk
Karaliyadda Private Bus Stand — 2.8 km · ~35 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use ATMs or exchange counters in town for better rates; avoid airport and tourist bureaux as they give poor rates and add fees.
Common in hotels and upscale restaurants, but many small eateries, tuk-tuks, and shops prefer cash; contactless is rare.
Not mandatory, but appreciated — round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants, and give a small tip (100–200 LKR) to hotel staff for extra service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A short-black or tea from a local kade (small roadside stall) costs around 80 LKR.
A rice-and-curry plate at a local eatery runs about 350–500 LKR.
A main course at a simple restaurant is typically 600–800 LKR.
Kandy's city centre, especially around the clock tower and bus stand, has stalls selling kottu roti, samosas, and string hoppers for 150–300 LKR.
Cargills Food City and Keells Super are common budget supermarket chains in Kandy.
Kandy's main bazaar and street stalls near the temple offer cheap cotton clothing and local textiles.
Local buses cost 20–50 LKR per ride; the cheapest way from Colombo airport is a public bus to Kandy (around 400 LKR, 3-4 hours).
Eat at places filled with locals, not tourists; use ATMs inside banks for better rates; negotiate tuk-tuk fares before boarding.
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 Amavi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 95 m · ~1 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Amavi?
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 at the rear side of the building, away from the main road. These upper floors minimise street noise and offer better ventilation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Amavi?
Avoid ground floor rooms, especially those facing the street; they pick up traffic rumble and foot traffic from the entrance. Also skip rooms directly above the lobby or near the lift shaft—noise from guests and the lift mechanism carries.
Is Amavi noisy?
Kandy's main roads are busy with tuk-tuks, buses, and horns from early morning. The hotel is on a high street, so street-side rooms get constant traffic noise. Also, nearby temples may broadcast early-morning chanting.
Which rooms have the best views at Amavi?
Ask for a room facing away from the street (likely a side or garden view). Kandy's hillside setting means a rear room may overlook a small courtyard or neighbouring slope, which is calmer than a main-road vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Amavi?
1. Check if the hotel offers earplugs at reception; several 3-star Kandy hotels do. 2. If you're arriving by private car, ask about off-street parking—many small hotels rely on street parking, which is tight in Kandy.
What time is check-in at Amavi?
Check-in at Amavi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Amavi have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (2 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (10 Mbps, no buffering) available at INR 200 per 24 hours via login code at reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Amavi?
None (no separate city tax; 7.5% Vat and 3% National Building Levy included in rates)
Where can I eat cheaply near Amavi?
A rice-and-curry plate at a local eatery runs about 350–500 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Amavi?
Local buses cost 20–50 LKR per ride; the cheapest way from Colombo airport is a public bus to Kandy (around 400 LKR, 3-4 hours).
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
January to March: clear skies, cooler air, and the tail of the north-east monsoon means minimal rain. July offers the Esala Perahera but with heavy crowds.
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.