Your stay — Mount Haven
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The Property — Mount Haven
Mount Haven perches on a hillside above Kandy, a three-star hotel that feels more like a quiet retreat than a city centre stopover. The lobby is open on one side to a terrace with views over the valley — it smells of damp earth and frangipani, and the air hums with birdsong, not traffic. The USP is that rare thing: a decent swimming pool and a garden you'd actually want to sit in, paired with clean rooms that don't pretend to be luxurious. Suits solo travellers or couples who prefer a short tuk-tuk ride into town over the noise of a main-road hotel.
Chronicles of Kandy
Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala kings, remaining independent under the Kandyan Convention until 1815 when the British finally annexed it. The city's layout still orbits the artificial lake built by the last king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, in 1807 — a forced-labour project that remains the city's quiet, watery heart. Colonial architecture sits alongside vibrant market streets and the monumental Temple of the Tooth, all woven into hillsides of tea and rubber. Today Kandy is both a UNESCO-heritage city and a working provincial capital, where Theravada Buddhist ritual blends with a busy commercial centre. The contemporary identity is proudly traditional: people dress smartly for temple visits, and the pace of life is slower, more formal, than Colombo.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kandy guide →Best months
January to March: the driest months with clear skies, comfortable temperatures around 24°C, and the crowds haven't yet peaked for the April festival season.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season for Kandy, driven by the Esala Perahera festival in July/August — a ten-day pageant of dancers, drummers and decorated elephants that fills every hotel in town. Prices at places like Mount Haven can double, and advance booking is essential. The weather itself is monsoon: expect daily downpours, but the festival energy makes it worthwhile.
Budget shoulder season
November and April offer a sweet spot — November after the north-east monsoon eases, April before the festival frenzy. Rooms drop 20-30% from peak, the rains are lighter, and the city feels less swamped.
Weather & packing
Kandy sits at 500m elevation, so evenings are cooler than Colombo and rain can arrive suddenly even in 'dry' months. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and closed-toe shoes that can handle slippery temple steps and wet streets — no flip-flops for the Temple of the Tooth.
Live City Briefing — Kandy
- The Kandy-Colombo main road (A1) has ongoing bridge repairs near Peradeniya, adding 30-45 minutes to bus and taxi journeys — plan for longer transfers.
- The Temple of the Tooth now requires advance online booking for the puja viewing slots (5.30am, 9.30am and 6.30pm) due to post-pandemic crowd controls.
- Several new cafés have opened along the lakefront loop road — try The Kandy Coffee Company for a proper flat white and views over the water.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mount Haven, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing the garden at the rear — these are quieter and get good morning light away from the road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street level noise and less privacy) and any room directly above the lobby or restaurant area — noise from circulation and the kitchen carries.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the hotel overlook the garden or hillside — much better than front-facing rooms which look onto the busy road.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are best for quiet — the hotel is only a few floors high and these sit above street level but below any rooftop plant/bar.
🔊 Noise notes
Kandy's street noise (tuk-tuks, buses, motorbikes) is constant during the day and can last into late evening. The hotel's position on a main road means front-facing rooms are loud.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask about free parking at check-in — spaces are limited and on-street parking is difficult. 2. Request a room on the garden side at time of booking; these are quieter and have better airflow than the air-conditioned front-facing rooms.
- 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 — Mount Haven
Free WiFi throughout the property; average speed 10 Mbps download (sufficient for browsing and email, not for streaming HD video); login via room number and surname
One elevator serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to PressReader with 200+ international newspapers (login code at front desk); no physical newspapers delivered
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 11:00 (no fee); late check-out until 13:00 costs LKR 3,000 (subject to availability)
Free baggage storage available at reception for same-day arrivals and departures
Step-free access from street to lobby via a ramp; one wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor (Room 101); no lift access to rooftop terrace (stairs only)
Free on-site parking for 6 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is Kandy Clock Tower Car Park (5-minute walk, LKR 100 per hour, LKR 600 overnight); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no additional city or tourist tax charged at this property; standard 12% VAT included in room rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required to secure booking (non-refundable for most rates); a refundable cash or card deposit of LKR 5,000 is taken at check-in for incidentals
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
Change money at banks or licensed money changers in Kandy town for decent rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Cards accepted at mid-range to upmarket hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but many smaller places, street vendors, and tuk-tuks are cash-only; contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated: 10% at nicer restaurants if service charge not added, small change for taxis, and LKR 200-500 for hotel staff who help with bags or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A local short black or tea at a simple tea kiosk or bakery: around LKR 100-200.
A rice-and-curry plate at a local eatery: roughly LKR 400-700.
A main dish like kottu roti or string hoppers at a basic restaurant: about LKR 500-900.
Kandy's main street and Temple Square area have stalls selling egg hoppers, vade, and fresh fruit; the Tuesday–Sunday Kandy Market is a good cheap-eats spot.
Cargills Food City and Keells Super are the common supermarket chains in Kandy.
Affordable clothing is available at the Kandy Central Market and along the main shopping streets, especially for casual wear and sarongs.
Buses are the cheapest way around town (about LKR 30-60 per ride); from Colombo airport, take a local bus (LKR 500-800) or share a minivan (LKR 1,000-2,000) rather than a private taxi.
Eat at local rice-and-curry spots instead of tourist-centric restaurants. Buy drinks and snacks from supermarkets, not hotel minibars. Haggle at markets but politely and with a smile.
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 Mount Haven
🕒 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 Mount Haven?
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing the garden at the rear — these are quieter and get good morning light away from the road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mount Haven?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street level noise and less privacy) and any room directly above the lobby or restaurant area — noise from circulation and the kitchen carries.
Is Mount Haven noisy?
Kandy's street noise (tuk-tuks, buses, motorbikes) is constant during the day and can last into late evening. The hotel's position on a main road means front-facing rooms are loud.
Which rooms have the best views at Mount Haven?
Rooms at the rear of the hotel overlook the garden or hillside — much better than front-facing rooms which look onto the busy road.
What are insider tips for staying at Mount Haven?
1. If you drive, ask about free parking at check-in — spaces are limited and on-street parking is difficult. 2. Request a room on the garden side at time of booking; these are quieter and have better airflow than the air-conditioned front-facing rooms.
What time is check-in at Mount Haven?
Check-in at Mount Haven is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mount Haven have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout the property; average speed 10 Mbps download (sufficient for browsing and email, not for streaming HD video); login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mount Haven?
None (no additional city or tourist tax charged at this property; standard 12% VAT included in room rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Mount Haven?
A rice-and-curry plate at a local eatery: roughly LKR 400-700.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mount Haven?
Buses are the cheapest way around town (about LKR 30-60 per ride); from Colombo airport, take a local bus (LKR 500-800) or share a minivan (LKR 1,000-2,000) rather than a private taxi.
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
January to March: the driest months with clear skies, comfortable temperatures around 24°C, and the crowds haven't yet peaked for the April festival 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.