Your stay — Hill House
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The Property — Hill House
Hill House is a modest, whitewashed three-star on Anniewatta Road, perched above Kandy’s rooftops with a terrace that stares straight at the lake and the Temple of the Tooth. The lobby is small, tiled and functional—more guesthouse than hotel—but the staff are efficient, and the real draw is the view from the higher rooms and the breakfast veranda. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, no-frills base within walking distance of the main sites, not luxury or resort amenities.
Chronicles of Kandy
Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings, holding out against Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisers until 1815, when the Kandyan Convention ceded the kingdom. The city’s heart is still the artificial lake and the Temple of the Tooth, which houses a relic of the Buddha and was rebuilt after Portuguese destruction in the 16th century. British administrators added wide streets, a railway station (opened 1894) and civic buildings in a colonial-Sinhalese hybrid style, giving the centre its current mix of red-tiled roofs and white stucco. Today Kandy is a Unesco World Heritage city, a pilgrimage hub for Buddhists and a busy market town for the Central Province, balancing sacred tradition with tuk-tuk traffic and tourist cafés.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kandy guide →Best months
April and August: April for the New Year calm and dry weather before the southwest monsoon; August for the Kandy Esala Perahera festival (temple procession), which is crowded but spectacular.
Peak / festival surge
August is the absolute peak because of the Esala Perahera, a 10-day dance-and-elephant procession that draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists. Hotel prices, including at Hill House, can double or triple; book many months ahead. The festival’s main nights (typically late July–early August) drive the busiest period.
Budget shoulder season
February and March: after the northeast monsoon, before the New Year rush—mild weather (22–28°C), lower hotel rates and few crowds. September also works, right after Perahera, with decent weather and empty rooms.
Weather & packing
Kandy sits at 500m elevation, so evenings can be noticeably cooler than Colombo—a light jacket or wrap is essential even in summer. The southwest monsoon (May–July) drenches the city most afternoons; pack a compact umbrella and quick-dry footwear, not just sandals.
Live City Briefing — Kandy
- Rail repairs on the main Kandy–Colombo line are ongoing through 2026, causing delays; check the current schedule at the station or consider a private car for the 3-hour drive.
- New pedestrian zones around the Temple of the Tooth are being trialled, restricting tuk-tuk access at peak hours—plan to walk from the Clock Tower.
- Several old guesthouses on Anniewatta Road have been renovated into small cafés and boutiques; the neighbourhood is seeing a quiet refresh, not yet overrun.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hill House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing away from the main road, likely the rear side of the building. These floors offer less street noise and better ventilation from the hillside.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or breakfast area (high foot traffic and kitchen clatter). Also avoid rooms facing the Kandy-Ampitiya-Thalatuoya Rd directly—this is a busy artery with tuk-tuks and buses from early morning.
Best views
Hillside and garden view from the rear of the hotel—green cover and occasional mist in the morning. Avoid asking for a ‘city view’ here; it’s mostly rooftops and the main road.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 through 5 are typically quieter, as they are above street level and away from the reception and restaurant hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Traffic noise from Kandy-Ampitiya-Thalatuoya Rd starts from 6am with trucks and tuk-tuks. Weekend nights may have increased pedestrian and vehicle activity near the hotel entrance.
Insider tips
1. If you’re driving, arrive before 10am to secure a shaded parking spot near the side entrance—space is tight and the lot fills fast. 2. Request a wake-up call 30 minutes early if you want the breakfast buffet before tour groups descend—it gets picked over by 8:30am.
- 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 — Hill House
Free WiFi throughout; typically 15 Mbps download, login via room number and surname
Lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access at lobby tablet; no physical newspapers
Standard 14:00; early check-in bag drop free if room ready; late check-out until 12:00 for LKR 1,500, after 12:00 half-day rate LKR 3,000
Free storage available at reception; secure locked room on request
Free on-site parking (20 spaces); nearest public car park at Kandy Railway Station (LKR 150 per day); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: LKR 200 per night per person (tourist development levy)
Deposit & card hold: One night advance deposit required; incidental hold of LKR 5,000 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Monastery Of Blessed Sacrament Fathers (824 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Saint Mary's Church (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Bodhirukkaramaya (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Thilanka Hotel (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
National Museum of Kandy — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Kandy Lake Club — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
E.L. Senanayake Children's Park — 786 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Central Bus Station — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use ATMs in Kandy city centre for the best rate; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges which offer poor rates and high fees.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels and larger shops in Kandy; street stalls and local eateries require cash. Contactless is rare outside major chains.
10% service charge often added to restaurant bills; if not, round up or leave 5-10%. Taxis: round up to nearest 100 LKR. Hotel staff: 100-200 LKR per bag or service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of local Sri Lankan coffee or tea from a street vendor or small kiosk costs around 80-100 LKR.
Rice and curry from a local eatery (not tourist-oriented) costs about 300-500 LKR for a filling plate.
A main dish at a local restaurant, like kottu roti or fried rice, is typically 400-700 LKR.
Kandy town centre near the Temple of the Tooth has evening street stalls selling samosas, vadai, and fruit; also the Kandy market area for cheap eats.
Keells Super and Cargills Food City are common budget supermarkets in Kandy, including outlets near Ampitiya and Thalatuoya.
Kandy Town Hall area and the central market have affordable clothing stalls and shops for everyday items, with prices similar to local high street.
Local buses cost 20-50 LKR per ride within Kandy; from Bandaranaike International Airport, take the public bus (route 187) for around 300 LKR (5-6 hours) or shared van for 800-1000 LKR.
Eat at local rice-and-curry shops rather than tourist cafes. Use local buses instead of tuk-tuks for most trips. Buy drinking water in 1.5L bottles (around 100 LKR) rather than single-use small bottles.
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 Hill House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Hill House?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing away from the main road, likely the rear side of the building. These floors offer less street noise and better ventilation from the hillside.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hill House?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or breakfast area (high foot traffic and kitchen clatter). Also avoid rooms facing the Kandy-Ampitiya-Thalatuoya Rd directly—this is a busy artery with tuk-tuks and buses from early morning.
Is Hill House noisy?
Traffic noise from Kandy-Ampitiya-Thalatuoya Rd starts from 6am with trucks and tuk-tuks. Weekend nights may have increased pedestrian and vehicle activity near the hotel entrance.
Which rooms have the best views at Hill House?
Hillside and garden view from the rear of the hotel—green cover and occasional mist in the morning. Avoid asking for a ‘city view’ here; it’s mostly rooftops and the main road.
What are insider tips for staying at Hill House?
1. If you’re driving, arrive before 10am to secure a shaded parking spot near the side entrance—space is tight and the lot fills fast. 2. Request a wake-up call 30 minutes early if you want the breakfast buffet before tour groups descend—it gets picked over by 8:30am.
What time is check-in at Hill House?
Check-in at Hill House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hill House have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; typically 15 Mbps download, login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hill House?
LKR 200 per night per person (tourist development levy)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hill House?
Rice and curry from a local eatery (not tourist-oriented) costs about 300-500 LKR for a filling plate.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hill House?
Local buses cost 20-50 LKR per ride within Kandy; from Bandaranaike International Airport, take the public bus (route 187) for around 300 LKR (5-6 hours) or shared van for 800-1000 LKR.
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
April and August: April for the New Year calm and dry weather before the southwest monsoon; August for the Kandy Esala Perahera festival (temple procession), which is crowded but spectacular.
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.