Your stay — Paradise Inn
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The Property — Paradise Inn
Paradise Inn is a no-frills three-star in Matale that feels more like a clean, well-kept guesthouse than a hotel. The lobby has a faded colonial charm with rattan furniture and a ceiling fan, and the staff are practical and friendly. It suits independent travellers who want a base for exploring the Knuckles Range or the nearby Aluvihara temple without paying Kandy prices. You get a decent room, a simple Sri Lankan breakfast, and a quiet courtyard — nothing more, nothing less.
Chronicles of Matale
Matale was a key waypoint on the historic Spice Route, and the ruins of Dutch forts still dot the surrounding hills. The city grew around its market square and the Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple, where the Pali Canon was first written down in the 1st century BC. British planters turned the valley into a rubber and tea hub in the 19th century, leaving behind a grid of bungalows and a small railway station. Today Matale is a relaxed, multi-ethnic town — Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim — known for its spice gardens and the massive, ornate Muttumari Amman Temple. Its cultural identity is rooted in agriculture and pilgrimage, not tourism, so you get a slice of real central Sri Lanka.
Best Time to Visit
Full Matale guide →Best months
January and February: dry, sunny, and cool enough for hill walking. April is also good — the main monsoon hasn't hit Matale yet — but it's hotter.
Peak / festival surge
August is the busiest month because of the Esala Perahera festival in nearby Kandy. Hotel prices in Matale climb 20-30% as visitors spill over from Kandy's packed rooms. July is also busy but less frenzied.
Budget shoulder season
May and October-November are the best budget windows. May sees the start of the southwest monsoon, so you get fewer crowds and room discounts of up to 40%. October is post-monsoon, with fresh greenery and mild temperatures.
Weather & packing
Matale is hotter than Kandy because it's lower (360m vs 500m), and the humidity can feel oppressive even in the dry season. You absolutely need a wide-brimmed hat and a reusable water bottle — tap water is not safe to drink, so plan to buy bottled or bring a filter.
Live City Briefing — Matale
- The A9 highway through Matale to Kandy is undergoing road widening, which means occasional delays and dust near the town centre — allow an extra 30 minutes for any taxi journey.
- A new craft beer brewery and taproom, 'Mountain Brews', opened on the Kandy road in early 2026, offering a rare alternative to arrack and Lion Lager.
- The Aluvihara temple has introduced a small entrance fee (500 LKR) and stricter dress rules — no shorts or sleeveless tops allowed inside the shrine rooms.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Paradise Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing away from the main road. Upper floors reduce street noise and provide a quieter stay.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or lift lobby, as foot traffic and luggage noise carry. Also avoid rooms facing the street directly, especially on the 1st floor, due to vehicle noise from Matale's busy road.
Best views
Rooms on upper floors (2-3) facing away from the road may offer a quiet garden or hill view. If the hotel has a rear side, request that for a green outlook over Matale's surrounding hills.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest — away from street-level noise and with less lift traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
Matale's main road carries local traffic, tuk-tuks, and lorries — noise peaks in the morning and late afternoon. The lift shaft can transmit hum on adjacent rooms, especially during breakfast and check-out hours.
Insider tips
1. Check in early to request a quiet rear-facing room; at a 3-star hotel, room allocation is often first-come. 2. If you have a car, ask if they have off-street parking away from the road — some Matale hotels have rear parking, which spares you the morning horn chorus.
- 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 — Paradise Inn
Free for all guests; speed around 15 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up. Login via room number – one device per room.
No lift – two-storey building with stairs only. All rooms are on ground or first floor.
No daily newspaper; no digital newsstand. The property has a small library of old guidebooks and magazines.
Check-in from 14:00 to 20:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 (free). Late check-out until 17:00 costs LKR 2500 if available.
Free for day-use; after check-out LKR 500 per bag until 20:00.
No step-free entrance; main door has a 15 cm step. Ground-floor rooms available, but no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms or grab bars.
On-site: free open parking for up to 5 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is Matale Town Car Park (500 m walk, LKR 200 per night). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance payment of first night required to confirm; at check-in a refundable card hold of LKR 5000 for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Ramakale Stupa (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sigiriya Temple (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Sigiriya Museum — 799 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM — 45 m · ~1 min walk
Kumari Grocery — 62 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Exchange money at any local bank in Matale town or use ATMs; avoid bureau de change at airports or tourist centres as they give poor rates.
Cards are accepted in larger hotels and some supermarkets in Matale town, but most small shops, markets, and local eateries require cash.
Not required but 10% is appreciated at nicer restaurants; round up taxi fares; small tip (100–200 LKR) for hotel staff for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local tea or plain coffee from a roadside kiosk: 30–50 LKR
A rice and curry plate from a local eating house: 200–400 LKR
Street-side kottu roti or hoppers: 300–500 LKR for a main
Around the Matale bus stand and main market area you'll find stalls selling kottu, samosas, and fresh fruit juice.
Cargills Food City and Keells supermarkets are common in Matale town.
Matale Market (Pola) has stalls with cheap clothing and textiles; also check local street vendors near the clock tower area.
Local bus between major points within Matale: 20–50 LKR per ride; for airport, take a bus to Colombo (300–400 LKR) then a tuk-tuk to the airport (500–800 LKR), or direct buses from Matale to Katunayake airport (about 350 LKR).
Eat at local 'hotels' (simple eateries) for filling rice and curry under 400 LKR; bargain at the market; use the public bus instead of tuk-tuks for distances under 3 km.
Emergency Contacts
MataleMatale Police Station: +94 66 222 2222. Matale District Hospital: +94 66 222 2261. Tourist police hotline: 1912 (nationwide). Dial 112 from any mobile for all emergencies.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Matale, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Paradise Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM — 45 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → The Grand Tourist Hooliday Resort, Matale
💡 Book a pre-paid taxi at the airport counter inside arrivals; avoid touts. The A9 highway route via Dambulla is quicker but toll costs extra. Confirm the driver knows Matale — some head to Kandy by mistake.
Matale town centre → The Grand Tourist Hooliday Resort, Matale
💡 Hail a three-wheeler from the main bus stand or clock tower. Agree on the price upfront — locals pay around 120 LKR, but tourists get quoted double. The hotel is on the Dambulla road, so just say 'The Grand Tourist Hooliday, Aluvihare side.' Keep small notes handy.
Bandaranaike International Airport (Katunayake Railway Station) → The Grand Tourist Hooliday Resort, Matale
💡 Walk or take a tuk-tuk to Katunayake station (10 mins). Board the coastal train to Colombo Fort (40 mins, 100 LKR), then switch to the Kandy train. Don't take the 'express' — locals will help you find the Matale-bound bus from Kandy station, but time it to avoid the Kandy rush hour (4-6pm).
Bandaranaike International Airport → The Grand Tourist Hooliday Resort, Matale
💡 Take bus 187 from airport to Colombo Bastian Mawatha bus station, then a Kandy-bound bus (every 15 mins). At Kandy clock tower, catch a local bus to Matale (40 mins, 100 LKR). Tell the conductor 'The Grand Tourist Hooliday' — it's on the main road just past town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Paradise Inn?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing away from the main road. Upper floors reduce street noise and provide a quieter stay.
Which rooms should I avoid at Paradise Inn?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or lift lobby, as foot traffic and luggage noise carry. Also avoid rooms facing the street directly, especially on the 1st floor, due to vehicle noise from Matale's busy road.
Is Paradise Inn noisy?
Matale's main road carries local traffic, tuk-tuks, and lorries — noise peaks in the morning and late afternoon. The lift shaft can transmit hum on adjacent rooms, especially during breakfast and check-out hours.
Which rooms have the best views at Paradise Inn?
Rooms on upper floors (2-3) facing away from the road may offer a quiet garden or hill view. If the hotel has a rear side, request that for a green outlook over Matale's surrounding hills.
What are insider tips for staying at Paradise Inn?
1. Check in early to request a quiet rear-facing room; at a 3-star hotel, room allocation is often first-come. 2. If you have a car, ask if they have off-street parking away from the road — some Matale hotels have rear parking, which spares you the morning horn chorus.
What time is check-in at Paradise Inn?
Check-in at Paradise Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Paradise Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed around 15 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up. Login via room number – one device per room.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Paradise Inn?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Paradise Inn?
A rice and curry plate from a local eating house: 200–400 LKR
What is the cheapest way to get around from Paradise Inn?
Local bus between major points within Matale: 20–50 LKR per ride; for airport, take a bus to Colombo (300–400 LKR) then a tuk-tuk to the airport (500–800 LKR), or direct buses from Matale to Katunayake airport (about 350 LKR).
When is the best time to visit Matale?
January and February: dry, sunny, and cool enough for hill walking. April is also good — the main monsoon hasn't hit Matale yet — but it's hotter.
Top Attractions in Matale
💡 Haggle politely but don't expect huge discounts. Try the local fruit like rambutan or mangosteen if in season.
💡 Remove shoes before entering. Cover shoulders and knees out of respect. Best visited during morning puja (around 6am) for a more serene experience.
💡 Start the walk before 9am to avoid heat and haze. The path is uneven; watch your step near the edge. No entry fee, but park your tuk-tuk at the base for a small fee.
💡 Go early morning to avoid crowds and heat. The stairs are steep, so wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
💡 Bring a picnic and sit under the giant banyan tree near the entrance. The entry fee is very low (around 50 LKR).