Your stay — Shangri-La Kandy
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Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Shangri-La Kandy, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (above the 3rd floor) to minimize street noise, which can be moderate due to the hotel's location in Kandy. Additionally, try to get a room on the west or east side of the hotel to enjoy a view of the surrounding hills or the city.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the service entrance, as the noise from the delivery and staff activity can be noticeable. Additionally, rooms on the lower floors (1st and 2nd) may experience more street noise.
Best views
The hotel's orientation suggests that rooms on the west side (facing the surrounding hills) or east side (facing the city) may have the best views.
Quietest floors
The 4th and 5th floors are likely the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the fact that they are above the main street level.
🔊 Noise notes
Kandy's streets can be lively, especially during festivals and rush hour, so be prepared for some noise, especially on the lower floors.
Insider tips
Request a room with a fridge, as it's not mentioned as a standard amenity. This will give you more flexibility for snacks and drinks. If you're arriving by car, note that the hotel may not have a dedicated parking lot, so be prepared to park on the street or in a nearby lot, and ask the hotel for guidance on parking options.
- 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 — Shangri-La Kandy
free, 100 Mbps speed, one login per room
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader/FT) and local newspapers
standard check-in time 14:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00, late check-out until 16:00 (Rs. 2,000 fee)
available at Rs. 500 per day, limited capacity
step-free access, wheelchair entries, some rooms with structural limitations
on-site parking available (Rs. 2,000 per night), nearest public car park at Rs. 1,000 per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Rs. 1,000 per night per person
Deposit & card hold: Rs. 10,000 advance deposit + incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Bodhirukkaramaya (312 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Pothgul Viharaya (369 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sri Wardanaramaya (399 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Thilanka Hotel (469 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Maha Maluwa — 962 m · ~12 min walk
National Museum of Kandy — 641 m · ~8 min walk
Kandy Lake Club — 72 m · ~1 min walk
Ailapperuma Public Ground — 367 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
NSB — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Lanka — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Sanjana Stores — 911 m · ~11 min walk
Asgiriya — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Currency exchange is readily available at banks and money changers in Kandy, but be cautious of poor rates at airport bureaux. Consider exchanging some money before arriving or using ATMs to get a better rate.
Credit cards and contactless payments are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and major shops, but cash is preferred for smaller vendors and local transactions.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service, typically 5-10% in restaurants and 10-20 LKR for taxi drivers.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee can be found for around 100-150 LKR at a local café or street vendor.
A plate of rice and curry at a local eatery costs around 200-300 LKR.
A meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost around 500-800 LKR for a main course.
The streets around Kandy Lake and the local markets are good places to find affordable street food options.
Popular supermarket chains like Keells Super and Cargills Food City have stores in the area.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets like the Kandy City Centre and nearby bazaars.
A day pass for public buses costs around 50-100 LKR, and tuk-tuks are a cheap option for short distances, around 100-200 LKR.
Buy snacks and water from local vendors, use public transport, and avoid taking taxis from the airport as they often charge inflated rates.
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 Shangri-La Kandy
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · NSB — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk — pharmacy · Lanka — 1.2 km · ~15 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 Shangri-La Kandy?
Request a room on the higher floors (above the 3rd floor) to minimize street noise, which can be moderate due to the hotel's location in Kandy. Additionally, try to get a room on the west or east side of the hotel to enjoy a view of the surrounding hills or the city.
Which rooms should I avoid at Shangri-La Kandy?
Avoid rooms near the service entrance, as the noise from the delivery and staff activity can be noticeable. Additionally, rooms on the lower floors (1st and 2nd) may experience more street noise.
Is Shangri-La Kandy noisy?
Kandy's streets can be lively, especially during festivals and rush hour, so be prepared for some noise, especially on the lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Shangri-La Kandy?
The hotel's orientation suggests that rooms on the west side (facing the surrounding hills) or east side (facing the city) may have the best views.
What are insider tips for staying at Shangri-La Kandy?
Request a room with a fridge, as it's not mentioned as a standard amenity. This will give you more flexibility for snacks and drinks. If you're arriving by car, note that the hotel may not have a dedicated parking lot, so be prepared to park on the street or in a nearby lot, and ask the hotel for guidance on parking options.
What time is check-in at Shangri-La Kandy?
Check-in at Shangri-La Kandy is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Shangri-La Kandy have Wi-Fi?
free, 100 Mbps speed, one login per room
Is there a city or tourist tax at Shangri-La Kandy?
Rs. 1,000 per night per person
Where can I eat cheaply near Shangri-La Kandy?
A plate of rice and curry at a local eatery costs around 200-300 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Shangri-La Kandy?
A day pass for public buses costs around 50-100 LKR, and tuk-tuks are a cheap option for short distances, around 100-200 LKR.
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.