Gorgeous location. Friendly and helpful staff. Live music in the bar. The attention to detail with cleanliness was spot on. The a la carte menu was fantastic and much better value for money than the buffet. They were able to cater the dishes to dietary requirements. The hotel organised a night safari walk for us which was incredible. We saw slender lorises, porcupines, spotted deer, mouse deer and bats. We had a 5:30 start planned on one morning and the staff were able to deliver coffee to us and provide a takeaway breakfast.

The layout of the hotel is quite confusing and not clearly signposted. We, and other guests were not able to find the upstairs pool for example. While the staff were very friendly and helpful, their initial communication could have been more clear. A lot of the vegetarian options in the buffet contained dairy, which didn’t seem necessary in most cases.

Nestled in paradise, the stunning views, impeccable service, and exquisite amenities create an unforgettable experience. A true gem where every moment feels like a cherished memory. Pure indulgence in paradise! Though still a trainee,  we would love to make a special mention of Maleesha, who provided us with personalized service that exceeded our expectations together with her executive partner Lakmi...Maleesha's attentiveness and care made our stay even more memorable.  The staff was incredibly friendly, and their genuine care and attention to detail truly enhanced the overall experience of our entire family of six members.The food at the hotel was amazing, offering a wide variety of options that catered to every palate, and Rasika at the restaurant was always there to go that extra mile to make us feel comfortable and happy. We also want to appreciate the attentiveness of Jithendra, the night manager on duty.  Overall, a pure indulgence in paradise! Highly recommend.

The welcoming and helpful nature of the staff. It felt like we were visiting a family friend. We were warmly welcome by Rebecca and her professionalism and charm really set the tone. Gaming, Lalith and Rasika would often stop to say hello and ask how they can help especially with extra effort to make our baby welcome. The restaurant staff were very attentive and we didn't ever need to ask for anything. Janaka was one step ahead and very very helpful and kind. The other staff in the restaurant were so nice to baby Navi and even helped distract him and carry him away when we needed to finish our dinner. Honestly the people at your establishment made this stay such a memorable and enjoyable time.

Heritance was an incredible stay. The location and resort were otherworldly. Being on nature’s doorstep with an array of wildlife everywhere you look gave us a true glimpse into what the reserve had to offer. All of the staff were friendly and welcoming. The chef met us personally and walked us through food options to cater for our allergy and the food was beyond belief, to say we stuffed ourselves is an understatement. The spa facilities were calming and blissful. We were so lucky to experience all that heritance had to offer for our first stay on our honeymoon trip. Thanks to all the staff for their consideration and care!

To be honest, it is hard to say that the room condition or service quality is equal or better than 5-star hotels. So if you expect perfection as a hotel, you may be slightly disappointed. The room condition is a bit old. However, the experience of staying here cannot be evaluated simply by the quality of the accommodation. It is the best. Here, you can feel the philosophy of Bawa that you should be immersed in nature. If you understand Bawa, such as the depth of experience, the meaning of space, and nature and architecture, Heritance Kandalama is a place that has more value than that. The best hotel

The room condition is a bit old.The refrigerator is on the verge of death

the staff in the kitchen and restaurant was exceptionally good the food extraordinary the "dine in a cave" experience superb Chef Dinesh went out of his way to organise a live cooking under the rock! we will not forget this

reception was as bad as it gets: unfriendly and treatment like thieves: pay first, than enter

The hotel is set in a spectacular location in the mountains, with amazing views of Sigiriya and Pidurangala rocks. The rooms and comfort are definitely 5 star, and the 3 pools are all great. The main pool by the cafe area at sunset is excellent and incredibly chilled and relaxing. We were lucky enough to see elephants out in the fields on one of our two nights. The setting and finish in the hotel are both amazing and you really feel like you are in one of the best hotels in Sri Lanka.

The food was not as good as we would have expected for a 5 star hotel. With the price being very high compared to every other place we went in our two week stay, we would have expected the food to be outstanding but unfortunately both the breakfast and dinner buffets were just okay, and felt more like 3 star quality. Unfortunately the first two cocktails we ordered we couldn’t have as they had run out of a key ingredient for each one!! Quite basic ingredients so that was a little disappointing! We felt the hotel lacked a bit of atmosphere in the evenings, but I guess people stay for the luxury and the views rather than the party!

The layout and design of the hotel (by Sir Geoffrey Bawa) is amazing, so serene and beautiful and respectful of the setting. Our room, a suite, was lovely. The pools were nice, especially nice the empty lower pool. Also nice with table tennis etc. The hotel only felt a bit crowded at meal time, otherwise quite spacious. Friendly staff (but that is always the case in Sri Lanka). We saw a wild elefant on the road just by the hotel one afternoon, cool.

The food (buffet) had a lot of choice (and generally tasty) but it was obvious that it was very catered to Indian and Chinese customers with not so much western food. We booked a suite six months in advance. It was therefore very disappointing to get a message the evening before arrival that we coups only get the suite the first two days of our stay (we had booked three nights). We complained and it all turned out well. But that is not a way to treat customers. The snack menu was good. I find it a bit annoying that the prices doesn’t include service charge and VAT, meaning that you pay something like 25 % more than is on the menu. But I think it is common all over Sri Lanka.

I was here for Bawa's architecture - every aspect of the hotel's design and styling is superb, down to every detail of the bedrooms, the fact that they all have a great view, but are not overlooked, and the way the the hotel and the countryside (trees, rocks) merge into one. The food is good - but international

Staff could have been better-informed about the facilities and were rather intrusively asking every few minutes whether everything was OK. It is an international hotel - most guests are foreigners, and this is reflected in the food. It seems a shame that a hotel that is so Sri Lankan's default dining option is a large multi-national buffet. The small fine dining restaurant serves good food but has no atmosphere as very few people eat in it.

Heritance Kandalama is a truly exceptional property, seamlessly woven into its natural surroundings with breathtaking views of the lake and forest. The Bawa architecture is striking and thoughtfully designed, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere throughout. Our room was both comfortable and impeccably maintained, and the pools and shared spaces were nothing short of spectacular. Each evening offered a magical experience as the sun set over the lake—a view that’s hard to forget. Lucky enough to see three elephants walk past the property for an evening stroll to the lake. The staff—from reception to room service and wait staff—were outstanding: warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Their hospitality made us feel truly cared for. And of course, the cheeky monkey visitors added a playful touch to the experience, working hard to keep us entertained! All in all, it was a peaceful and unforgettable stay. I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking tranquillity, nature, and a touch of luxury in a uniquely beautiful setting.