Your stay — Upper Hanthana Guest House
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The Property — Upper Hanthana Guest House
Upper Hanthana Guest House clings to a hillside above Kandy, offering clean, simple rooms with wide-angle valley views that justify the steep driveway. The lobby feels like a quiet veranda: tiled floor, a few wooden chairs, the smell of damp greenery drifting through open windows. It suits independent travellers who prefer a calm perch outside the city's noise over five-star frills. No pool, no restaurant — but a decent breakfast and the kind of staff who'll draw you a local map on a napkin.
Chronicles of Kandy
Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings, remaining independent under Portuguese, Dutch, and British assault until 1815. The city's heart is the Temple of the Tooth, said to house Buddha's relic, which gives Kandy its sacred status and annual Esala Perahera festival. Colonial-era buildings mix with concrete shop-houses, and the artificial Kandy Lake — built by the last king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinha — still mirrors the royal palace compound. Today Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual and cultural anchor of Sri Lanka's hill country, with a university, botanical gardens, and a steady hum of tuk-tuks and pilgrims.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kandy guide →Best months
February and March offer the driest weather in the hill country, with clear views and warm afternoons. June to September is also decent for Kandy, with less rain than the coastal monsoon brings.
Peak / festival surge
July to August is peak season, driven by the Esala Perahera festival (usually late July/early August) when the temple procession fills the city for 10 nights. Hotel rates nearly double, and Upper Hanthana must be booked months ahead. The crowds and traffic are intense, but the festival is the island's biggest cultural event.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the budget shoulder months: rain is possible but not constant, crowds thin out, and prices on rooms and tours drop by 30-40%. The weather is still warm, and the hills stay green.
Weather & packing
Kandy's altitude (470m) means it's cooler than the coast but still humid, and the valley traps mist until late morning. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a long-sleeved top for evenings — and always carry an umbrella, even if the forecast looks clear.
Live City Briefing — Kandy
- The Kandy-Colombo main road (A1) has ongoing bridge repairs near Mawanella, adding 30-45 minutes to car journeys; take the train instead for a scenic, less stressful ride.
- A new pedestrian walkway now links the Temple of the Tooth complex directly to the Kandy Lake promenade, reducing the need to cross the busy roundabout.
- Upper Hanthana's access road was resurfaced in late 2025, but the final 200m is still narrow and unpaved — tuk-tuks struggle, so request a car or walk the last stretch.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Upper Hanthana Guest House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first or second floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These floors are quieter and offer partial views of the surrounding hillside.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor facing the street — Kandy’s main road traffic noise is persistent, and street-facing rooms suffer from both vehicle hum and occasional honking. Also skip any room above the common areas like the small lobby or dining room, if identifiable on arrival.
Best views
Upper-floor rear rooms look out towards the Hanthana mountain range — a green, serene backdrop typical of this hillside suburb, not a direct city view but a calm green outlook.
Quietest floors
First and second floors, rear side.
🔊 Noise notes
Kandy’s A1 main road runs through the Hanthana area — expect traffic noise from 6am to 10pm on the street side. Occasional three-wheeler horns and bus brakes. The guest house is set back slightly, but street-facing rooms still catch sound.
Insider tips
1. Park on the small forecourt if driving — it’s tight but safer than the roadside. 2. Check in before 4pm to secure a rear room; staff can often switch you if you ask politely at arrival.
- 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 — Upper Hanthana Guest House
Free basic Wi-Fi throughout, sufficient for email and browsing. No premium tier.
No lift. All rooms on first and second floors via stairs only.
No physical newspapers or digital newsstand available.
Standard 14:00 check-in. Early bag drop from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 for half-day charge (approx LKR 2000).
Free luggage storage in reception area during your stay.
No step-free access. Main entrance has a single step; interior stairs only. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
Free on-site parking for about 4 cars. Nearest public car park is at Kandy Lake Front (approx LKR 300 per night). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no deposit at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Vajirarama International Buddhist Meditation Center (297 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sri Shantharamaya (1.2 km · ~14 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Temple (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sri Sugatha Bimbaramaya (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Heerassagala Ground — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Sarasavi Uyana — 3.2 km · ~41 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Exchange money at authorised money changers or banks in Kandy city centre; avoid airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels, restaurants, and larger shops; many small vendors and tuk-tuks prefer cash.
Tipping not mandatory but appreciated: 10% at nicer restaurants, small change for tuk-tuks, 200-500 LKR for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A short black at a local cafe typically 150-200 LKR.
Rice and curry from a local eatery (kade) costs 300-500 LKR.
A main dish at a casual restaurant like kottu roti or noodles costs about 400-600 LKR.
Kandy's market area and streets near the clock tower and bus station have stalls selling samosas, vadai, and fruit for 20-100 LKR per item.
Common budget supermarkets in Kandy: Cargills Food City and Keells (with branches near the city centre).
Affordable clothes at Kandy's central market or along DS Senanayake Veediya; bargain for lower prices.
Cheapest way around is walking or local buses (20-50 LKR per ride); from Colombo airport, take a bus to Kandy (approx 600 LKR) or share a minivan (1500-2000 LKR).
1) Eat at local rice-and-curry places instead of tourist-oriented restaurants. 2) Use public buses rather than tuk-tuks. 3) Buy water and snacks at supermarkets, not at tourist spots.
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 Upper Hanthana Guest 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.
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 Upper Hanthana Guest House?
Request a room on the first or second floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These floors are quieter and offer partial views of the surrounding hillside.
Which rooms should I avoid at Upper Hanthana Guest House?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor facing the street — Kandy’s main road traffic noise is persistent, and street-facing rooms suffer from both vehicle hum and occasional honking. Also skip any room above the common areas like the small lobby or dining room, if identifiable on arrival.
Is Upper Hanthana Guest House noisy?
Kandy’s A1 main road runs through the Hanthana area — expect traffic noise from 6am to 10pm on the street side. Occasional three-wheeler horns and bus brakes. The guest house is set back slightly, but street-facing rooms still catch sound.
Which rooms have the best views at Upper Hanthana Guest House?
Upper-floor rear rooms look out towards the Hanthana mountain range — a green, serene backdrop typical of this hillside suburb, not a direct city view but a calm green outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Upper Hanthana Guest House?
1. Park on the small forecourt if driving — it’s tight but safer than the roadside. 2. Check in before 4pm to secure a rear room; staff can often switch you if you ask politely at arrival.
What time is check-in at Upper Hanthana Guest House?
Check-in at Upper Hanthana Guest House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Upper Hanthana Guest House have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi throughout, sufficient for email and browsing. No premium tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Upper Hanthana Guest House?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Upper Hanthana Guest House?
Rice and curry from a local eatery (kade) costs 300-500 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Upper Hanthana Guest House?
Cheapest way around is walking or local buses (20-50 LKR per ride); from Colombo airport, take a bus to Kandy (approx 600 LKR) or share a minivan (1500-2000 LKR).
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
February and March offer the driest weather in the hill country, with clear views and warm afternoons. June to September is also decent for Kandy, with less rain than the coastal monsoon brings.
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.