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 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

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 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.

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.

Beautiful location with view on Kandalama lake and forest, nice room and buffet either for dinner and breakfast is really good. Access to three pools also. Staff very kind and present. 9/10 mainly thanks to location and food, otherwise 8-8.5/10 would be the right note for this hotel that is 5*.

some details: There wasn't the hair conditioner which we would have expected from a 5 stars hotel. A plates of fruits was offered once in the room (really appreciated) but brought with only one dish and cutlerie and we were 2. The room was noisy due to the fact that it was directly on a corridor used by everyone to access rooms. Also the fan was a bit noisy

Heritance Kandalama is an extraordinary property, perfectly integrated into the natural environment with spectacular views of the lake and forest. The architecture is unique and offers a relaxing, enchanting atmosphere. The rooms are comfortable and well-maintained, the infinity pool and common areas are simply stunning. Breakfast and dinner offer a good variety of quality dishes. I stayed here the night before my brother’s wedding. Initially, I was not expected to attend the ceremony, but at the last minute I changed my mind, and the staff managed to find me a dresser very quickly, allowing me to be ready for the event. Overall, a memorable stay that I would recommend to anyone looking for relaxation and nature in an exclusive setting.

The only area for improvement is the service, which could be faster and more attentive to match the high standards of the property.

Wonderful hotel building and history. Nice pool overlooking the lake. Panoramic view room is great. Wonderful breakfast.

The staff let it down. The welcome process is loooong and cumbersome entailing walking to the cafe and then back to reception to pay and then back to the cafe and then to the front desk to get key and then to the room. Don’t understand why staff can’t take money at the front desk and you have to go to a cashier room. For the price tag I would expect much more seamless check in and out. Pool is small for the number of people. There are two other pools but they are not as nice.

Beautiful hotel in beautiful surroundings... You feel fully immersed in the jungle which is an amazing experience. The staff is amazing - lots of smiles and a really great service. Having said all of this, I don't think the hotel is a true 5 star hotel by western standards. The hotel is getting a little old and in some places it just feels a little run down, example the sun beds by the pool could do with an upgrade, certain equipment at the gym as well. Overall a great hotel, great service, amazing location - it just needs some attention and probably renovation to help bring it back to its former glory.

Great location and fantastic views over the lake and Sigiriya in the background. We first came here when we were living in Colombo 18 years ago - was our favourite then and good to see it still is one of our family favourite hotels in Sri Lanka. Liked how the hotel has integrated with the natural surroundings and maximising its position with great views - we were fortunate to even see some wild elephants while having breakfast!

In the evenings the infinity pool bar is very busy and I suggest have a couple more extra bar staff there to assist and get more $$ from us tourists as waiting for over 20 minutes for a drink takes away the enjoyment of the spectacular views and tranquil surroundings. A little more urgency wouldn’t go astray. However, Staff attentiveness at the buffet restaurant was fantastic!