Your stay — Prince Inn
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The Property — Prince Inn
Prince Inn is a no-frills three-star set back from Matale’s main road, with a small garden and a basic restaurant that does a decent rice-and-curry. The rooms are clean but dated, and the staff are efficient rather than warm. It suits budget travellers who need a quiet, central base for exploring the Dambulla–Sigiriya loop without paying resort prices.
Chronicles of Matale
Matale was a key Kandyan Kingdom outpost, and in 1848 it saw the Matale Rebellion against British colonial rule. The town’s core still clusters around the old market and the white-washed St. Mary’s Church (built 1850s). Today it’s a mid-sized trading hub for spice and vegetable growers, with a dusty, unhurried feel and little tourism infrastructure. Its contemporary identity is rooted in Sinhalese small-town life, with the Aluvihara Rock Temple just north drawing pilgrims and a few curious visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Full Matale guide →Best months
January to March: dry, sunny days perfect for temple-hopping and hiking the Knuckles Range; crowds are moderate because most tourists prioritise Kandy or Sigiriya.
Peak / festival surge
August (Kandy Perahera spills into Matale) and April (Sinhala New Year). Hotel prices can double, and advance booking is essential. The July–August season is also busy with European summer holidays, pushing up demand across the Cultural Triangle.
Budget shoulder season
September–October: monsoon eases, prices drop 20-30%, and you’ll have the Aluvihara temple almost to yourself. Still warm but with short afternoon showers.
Weather & packing
Matale sits in the low-elevation dry zone, so it’s hot and humid year-round, but the month you’re visiting (July) is still the southwest monsoon season meaning occasional downpours. Pack light cottons and a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket – don’t rely on it staying dry all day.
Live City Briefing — Matale
- The Matale–Kandy road (A9) has intermittent resurfacing works through mid-2026; expect 20–30 minute delays near Gampola. Leave extra time if you’re driving to the Prince Inn.
- A new spice garden visitor centre opened in March 2026 on the Dambulla road, offering free guided tours and a proper Ayurveda shop, not just the usual tourist-trap pitch.
- The Aluvihara Rock Temple is installing new lighting for evening visits from June 2026, but the interior murals will be restricted for conservation until September. Check ahead if you want the full fresco experience.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Prince Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor facing away from the main road. The first floor is the quietest, with less street noise and no one walking above you. Ask for a room at the rear of the building to avoid Matale’s early morning traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the reception and dining area—these get noise from guests and staff. Also avoid rooms directly above the kitchen, as cooking smells and clatter can drift up.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the hotel offer views over Matale town and the nearby hills, rather than just the main street.
Quietest floors
First floor (one up from ground) is the quietest. Second floor also okay if away from lift and stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Matale is a busy town with tuk-tuks and buses from early morning (around 6am). The main road runs past the hotel. The bar and dining area generate chatter and music until about 10pm.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room at the back—quieter for sleeping. 2. Breakfast is simple but satisfying; if you want a proper local meal, walk 5 minutes to Hotel Ruhi's for rice and curry. 3. Parking is free but limited to a small lot at the front; arrive before 5pm to secure a space.
- 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 — Prince Inn
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 15-20 Mbps download, login via room number and surname.
A single passenger lift serves all three floors (rooms 101-306); no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital newspaper via PressReader login given at check-in; no physical papers. The building is a converted 1930s colonial-style villa with a red-tiled roof and veranda pillars.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 06:00 at no extra charge. Late check-out: LKR 1500 until 18:00, after 18:00 charged for an extra night.
Front desk offers free storage for day-of-check-out or early arrivals, luggage stored in a locked room.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; one ground-floor accessible room (Room 101) with wider doorway and roll-in shower. Upper floors served by lift, but no specially adapted bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for up to 20 cars (first-come, first-served; no reservation needed). Nearest public car park is Matale Municipal Council lot, 400 m east, free but unguarded. No EV charging stations.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance deposit required via bank transfer or credit card at booking; at check-in a hold of LKR 2000 on a credit card for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Ramakale Stupa (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BOC — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Change money at local banks in Matale for fair rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux in Kandy, which often give poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger supermarkets and some hotels, but cash essential for markets, local eateries, and most small shops.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares, leave 10% at nicer restaurants, and give 100–200 LKR to hotel staff for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of local-style tea or Nescafe at a roadside kade costs around 40–60 LKR.
A rice-and-curry of rice, 3 curries plus sambar from a local eatery costs 150–250 LKR.
A main dish like kottu roti or devilled chicken at a modest restaurant runs 300–500 LKR.
Pick up isso vadai, samosas, or fruit skewers from stalls near the Matale town market or bus stand for 20–50 LKR each.
Look for Keells Super or Cargills Food City in Matale town for standard groceries and basics.
Matale town market has second-hand clothes and basic textiles; budget shopping centres near the clock tower sell simple apparel.
Local bus fares within Matale town are 20–40 LKR per trip; from Colombo airport, take the public bus to Kandy for around 400 LKR then a local bus to Matale for 100 LKR.
Eat at places where locals queue for lunch, negotiate tuk-tuk fares before riding, and buy fresh fruit directly from the market rather than hotels.
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 Prince Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BOC — 1.3 km · ~17 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.
About Matale
Wikipedia ↗
Matale District (Sinhala: මාතලේ දිස්ත්රික්කය, Tamil: மாத்தளை மாவட்டம்) is a district in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, and one of the country's 25 districts. The administrative capital and largest city is Matale. Covering 1,993 km2 (770 sq mi), the district is considered the centremost region o...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Prince Inn?
Request a room on the first floor facing away from the main road. The first floor is the quietest, with less street noise and no one walking above you. Ask for a room at the rear of the building to avoid Matale’s early morning traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Prince Inn?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the reception and dining area—these get noise from guests and staff. Also avoid rooms directly above the kitchen, as cooking smells and clatter can drift up.
Is Prince Inn noisy?
Matale is a busy town with tuk-tuks and buses from early morning (around 6am). The main road runs past the hotel. The bar and dining area generate chatter and music until about 10pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Prince Inn?
Rooms at the rear of the hotel offer views over Matale town and the nearby hills, rather than just the main street.
What are insider tips for staying at Prince Inn?
1. Ask for a room at the back—quieter for sleeping. 2. Breakfast is simple but satisfying; if you want a proper local meal, walk 5 minutes to Hotel Ruhi's for rice and curry. 3. Parking is free but limited to a small lot at the front; arrive before 5pm to secure a space.
What time is check-in at Prince Inn?
Check-in at Prince Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Prince Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 15-20 Mbps download, login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Prince Inn?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Prince Inn?
A rice-and-curry of rice, 3 curries plus sambar from a local eatery costs 150–250 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Prince Inn?
Local bus fares within Matale town are 20–40 LKR per trip; from Colombo airport, take the public bus to Kandy for around 400 LKR then a local bus to Matale for 100 LKR.
When is the best time to visit Matale?
January to March: dry, sunny days perfect for temple-hopping and hiking the Knuckles Range; crowds are moderate because most tourists prioritise Kandy or Sigiriya.
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).