Your stay — Earl's Regency Hotel
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The Property — Earl's Regency Hotel
Earl's Regency is a solid three-star colonial-style hotel perched on a hillside above Kandy. The lobby feels airy and calm, with dark wood furniture and a wide verandah overlooking terraced gardens and the distant hills. It's comfortable rather than fancy—suits budget-conscious travellers who want a quiet base with a pool and decent breakfast, not a party vibe.
Chronicles of Kandy
Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala kings, falling to the British in 1815 after resisting colonial rule for centuries. The city grew around the man-made Kandy Lake, built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Under the British, it became a hill-station retreat, with colonial architecture and tea-plantation wealth shaping its character. Today Kandy is Sri Lanka's second city and a Unesco World Heritage site, fiercely proud of its Buddhist identity and the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kandy guide →Best months
January and February: driest months in Kandy's central highlands, with clear mornings and afternoon showers that clear quickly. Crowds are moderate—post-holiday lull—and hotel rates are reasonable.
Peak / festival surge
August is the busiest month because of the Kandy Esala Perahera, a ten-day festival with nightly processions of dancers, drummers and decorated elephants. Hotel prices triple or quadruple, and advance booking is essential. The festival fills the city with pilgrims and tourists.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: May sees the start of the southwest monsoon but rainfall is lighter in Kandy than on the coast; September is post-Perahera, with lower prices and fewer visitors. Weather is still warm, with 25–27°C highs and regular but short showers.
Weather & packing
Kandy's weather is fickle—you can get sun, drizzle and a downpour all in one afternoon. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a pair of quick-dry walking shoes; an umbrella is non-negotiable from June to October.
Live City Briefing — Kandy
- The Kandy City Centre shopping complex reopened in March 2025 after a two-year renovation, with a food court and improved parking—useful for picking up supplies or escaping the rain.
- Kandy's main bus and railway stations are undergoing modernisation, so expect ongoing construction noise near the Clock Tower area until mid-2027. Use rideshare apps rather than tuk-tuks for airport transfers.
- June 2026 marks the start of the monsoonal yala season: afternoon downpours are frequent but brief. Many museums and galleries now open on weekends only, so check the Temple of the Tooth Relic's visiting hours online before you go.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Earl's Regency Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the top floor (3rd floor) for a quieter stay, as the lift is the primary means of access and noise from the ground floor may be less audible.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, as it can be a source of noise, and there may be some disturbance from the street noise on the ground floor due to the hotel's location on a main road.
Best views
Since the hotel is located near the Peradeniya area, rooms on the top floor may have a view of the surrounding hills or the surrounding cityscape, but this is not guaranteed.
Quietest floors
2nd floor
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware that the hotel's free on-site parking is in an open area, which may be noisy, especially during peak hours.
Insider tips
Consider requesting a room with a window facing the rear of the hotel to minimize street noise. Take note of the nearest public car park at the Kandy Clock Tower for a more convenient and possibly quieter parking experience.
- 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 — Earl's Regency Hotel
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed approximately 10 Mbps download; no login constraints (open network, password at check-in)
Single lift serving all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand; complimentary printed Daily Mirror and Sunday Observer delivered to room on request
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 incurs 50% of nightly rate, after 12:00 full night charged
Free secure luggage storage at reception for same-day early arrivals or post-checkout
No step at main entrance; lift suitable for wheelchair; no accessible rooms or grab rails in standard bathrooms
Free on-site open parking for around 20 cars; no valet; nearest public car park at Kandy Clock Tower (1.5 km away), LKR 50 per hour; no EV charging station
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Sri Lankan government Tourist Development Levy of 1% on total bill; no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates need a credit card hold of LKR 5,000 for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Fatima (314 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Gospel Church (932 m · ~12 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Tennekumbura Temple (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Galmaduwa Raja Maha Viharaya (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
People's Bank — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Cargills Pharmacy — 705 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use official exchange counters or banks in Kandy town; avoid airport and tourist bureau rates which are poor.
Cards accepted at mid-range hotels and larger shops; cash is essential for street food, tuk-tuks, and small eateries.
Not expected but appreciated; leave 10% in restaurants if service charge is not added, and round up taxi or tuk-tuk fares.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A local-style short black or tea from a kiosk costs around 50–80 LKR.
A rice and curry plate at a local eatery costs 300–500 LKR.
A main at an affordable restaurant costs around 500–800 LKR.
Along Temple Street and around the bus station, you’ll find roti, kottu, and samosas for 100–300 LKR.
Cargills Food City and Keells Super are common supermarket chains in this area.
Main Street (Colombo Street) and Kandy Market have budget clothing stalls.
Local buses around town cost 20–50 LKR per ride; from Bandaranaike International Airport, take a public bus to Colombo then a train or bus to Kandy for under 500 LKR total.
Eat at local rice-and-curry places rather than tourist restaurants; negotiate tuk-tuk fares before getting in; buy packed drinks and snacks from supermarkets instead of street stalls.
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 Earl's Regency Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · People's Bank — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk — pharmacy · Cargills Pharmacy — 705 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 Earl's Regency Hotel?
Request rooms on the top floor (3rd floor) for a quieter stay, as the lift is the primary means of access and noise from the ground floor may be less audible.
Which rooms should I avoid at Earl's Regency Hotel?
Avoid rooms near the lift, as it can be a source of noise, and there may be some disturbance from the street noise on the ground floor due to the hotel's location on a main road.
Is Earl's Regency Hotel noisy?
Be aware that the hotel's free on-site parking is in an open area, which may be noisy, especially during peak hours.
Which rooms have the best views at Earl's Regency Hotel?
Since the hotel is located near the Peradeniya area, rooms on the top floor may have a view of the surrounding hills or the surrounding cityscape, but this is not guaranteed.
What are insider tips for staying at Earl's Regency Hotel?
Consider requesting a room with a window facing the rear of the hotel to minimize street noise. Take note of the nearest public car park at the Kandy Clock Tower for a more convenient and possibly quieter parking experience.
What time is check-in at Earl's Regency Hotel?
Check-in at Earl's Regency Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Earl's Regency Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed approximately 10 Mbps download; no login constraints (open network, password at check-in)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Earl's Regency Hotel?
Sri Lankan government Tourist Development Levy of 1% on total bill; no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Earl's Regency Hotel?
A rice and curry plate at a local eatery costs 300–500 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Earl's Regency Hotel?
Local buses around town cost 20–50 LKR per ride; from Bandaranaike International Airport, take a public bus to Colombo then a train or bus to Kandy for under 500 LKR total.
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
January and February: driest months in Kandy's central highlands, with clear mornings and afternoon showers that clear quickly. Crowds are moderate—post-holiday lull—and hotel rates are reasonable.
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.