Your stay — Bluepillars Hotel
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The Property — Bluepillars Hotel
Bluepillars Hotel is a functional three-star hotel perched on Kandy’s hilly outskirts, offering reliable air-con and a small pool. Its lobby is modest: tiled floors, a reception desk, and a seating area with wooden furniture. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a clean, no-frills base within a short tuk-tuk ride of the Temple of the Tooth. The USP is its quiet hillside location, away from the city’s traffic noise.
Chronicles of Kandy
Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala kings, who held out against Portuguese, Dutch and British until 1815. The city’s centrepiece, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, dates from the 16th century and houses a relic of the Buddha. Colonial influence is faint in the older core, but British-era buildings like the Kandy Clock Tower and the Queen’s Hotel line the lake. Today, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second city, a Unesco World Heritage site, and the cultural heart of the hill country, with a strong Buddhist identity and a lively market scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kandy guide →Best months
January to March: driest period in Kandy’s hill-country climate, with less rain and lower humidity; clear views of the surrounding mountains. Crowds are moderate, and the city feels less frantic than in peak season.
Peak / festival surge
April to early May: the Kandy Esala Perahera (late July/early August) actually drives the real peak, but July 2026 sits in the middle of the southwest monsoon, with heavy afternoon downpours. The Perahera in August fills the city, pushing hotel rates to double the off-peak price. Events include nightly processions with dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants.
Budget shoulder season
June and September: both fall in the monsoon but offer discounts of 30–40% on rack rates, fewer tourists, and the rain tends to come in short bursts, leaving mornings clear. Good for solo travellers on a budget.
Weather & packing
Kandy gets rain even in the ‘dry’ season—expect a sudden tropical downpour any afternoon. Pack a light rain jacket or compact umbrella, and wear quick-dry shoes or sandals that can handle wet roads.
Live City Briefing — Kandy
- A major road-widening project on Colombo Street (A1) near Kandy town is ongoing until late 2026; expect delays for tuk-tuks and taxis to the hotel. Use the bypass via Peradeniya instead.
- The Kandy Municipal Council has introduced a new one-way traffic scheme around the Temple of the Tooth from March 2026—check your driver knows the route to avoid circling.
- July 2026 is the start of the Esala Perahera build-up; cultural rehearsals and night-time processions will cause street closures near the Dalada Maligawa from the second week of July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Bluepillars Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 3rd floor or above, as the hotel has 4 floors. This will help minimize street noise, which might be a concern given the hotel's location in the city centre of Kandy. Additionally, being on a higher floor will also reduce the likelihood of noise from the lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, as the hotel only has a single lift, and it might be a shared space for guests and staff. This could lead to noise and congestion, especially during peak hours.
Best views
Given the hotel's address in Kandy, rooms on the higher floors (3rd floor and above) might offer views of the surrounding cityscape or the nearby Temple of the Tooth.
Quietest floors
2nd floor to 4th floor
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise due to the hotel's central location in Kandy. Additionally, the hotel's layout might mean some rooms are closer to the lift or service entrance, which could generate noise.
Insider tips
If you're driving, consider parking near the hotel's entrance, as parking spaces might be limited. Also, be sure to check-in during the designated hours, as the hotel may have specific check-in procedures in place, especially if you're arriving outside of peak hours.
- 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 — Bluepillars Hotel
Free Wi-Fi with speeds up to 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Serves all floors, with a historic section on the upper floors with stairs-only access
Complimentary digital newsstand via the hotel's app, with access to The Times of Ceylon and Daily Mirror
14:00 - 22:00, no early bag-drop, late check-out until 12:00 with LKR 2,000 fee
Available at the front desk for LKR 200 per bag per day
Step-free access, wheelchair entries with assistance, no structural limitations
On-site parking available for LKR 1,500 per night, nearest public car park at Temple Tank Park for LKR 500 per day, EV charging available with prior notice
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: LKR 500 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: LKR 5,000 advance deposit + LKR 10,000 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Jamiul Khairath Jummah Masjid Mahaiyawa (346 m · ~4 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Sri Muthumariamman Temple (509 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Lighthouse Church (586 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Asgiri Maha Viharaya (633 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Torrington Public Park — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Old Royal Palace — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Kandyan Art Association — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Vidyartha College Sports Complex — 2.0 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
NSB — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Nihals medical — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Sri SKS — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Mahaiyawa — 438 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange counters which give poor rates.
Credit cards accepted at hotels and larger restaurants; cash essential for buses, street food, and small shops. Contactless is rare.
Not obligatory; round up taxi fares or leave 10% at nicer restaurants. A small tip for hotel housekeeping is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A roadside kade (stall) black tea or coffee is around LKR 30-50.
A rice and curry plate from a local eatery costs about LKR 300-500.
A main dish at a budget restaurant runs roughly LKR 600-900.
Kandy's city centre near the bus station has stalls selling roti, samosas, and kottu roti for LKR 100-300.
Common budget supermarkets: Keells and Cargills are found around the city.
Good value clothes shopping at Kandy's central market (fresh produce/fabric) or local high street shops by the lake.
A bus ride within town is around LKR 20-30; from the airport, take a public bus to Kandy for about LKR 300-500, or share a tuk-tuk for LKR 1000-2000.
Eat at local rice and curry joints rather than tourist cafes; always negotiate tuk-tuk fares before getting in; buy fresh fruit and snacks from market stalls instead of hotels.
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 Bluepillars Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · NSB — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Nihals medical — 1.4 km · ~17 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 Bluepillars Hotel?
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 3rd floor or above, as the hotel has 4 floors. This will help minimize street noise, which might be a concern given the hotel's location in the city centre of Kandy. Additionally, being on a higher floor will also reduce the likelihood of noise from the lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Bluepillars Hotel?
Avoid rooms near the lift, as the hotel only has a single lift, and it might be a shared space for guests and staff. This could lead to noise and congestion, especially during peak hours.
Is Bluepillars Hotel noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise due to the hotel's central location in Kandy. Additionally, the hotel's layout might mean some rooms are closer to the lift or service entrance, which could generate noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Bluepillars Hotel?
Given the hotel's address in Kandy, rooms on the higher floors (3rd floor and above) might offer views of the surrounding cityscape or the nearby Temple of the Tooth.
What are insider tips for staying at Bluepillars Hotel?
If you're driving, consider parking near the hotel's entrance, as parking spaces might be limited. Also, be sure to check-in during the designated hours, as the hotel may have specific check-in procedures in place, especially if you're arriving outside of peak hours.
What time is check-in at Bluepillars Hotel?
Check-in at Bluepillars Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Bluepillars Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi with speeds up to 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Bluepillars Hotel?
LKR 500 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Bluepillars Hotel?
A rice and curry plate from a local eatery costs about LKR 300-500.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Bluepillars Hotel?
A bus ride within town is around LKR 20-30; from the airport, take a public bus to Kandy for about LKR 300-500, or share a tuk-tuk for LKR 1000-2000.
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
January to March: driest period in Kandy’s hill-country climate, with less rain and lower humidity; clear views of the surrounding mountains. Crowds are moderate, and the city feels less frantic than in peak season.
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.