Geoffrey Bawa's green-covered hotel set into rock above Kandalama lake, a base for Sigiriya (about 11 km) and the Dambulla cave temple. Its 152 rooms share an infinity pool over the water, a full spa, and boat safaris from a nearby jetty. Rooms start from US$230 a night.
Heritance Kandalama is a five-star, 152-room hotel beside the Kandalama reservoir near Dambulla, in the Cultural Triangle of central Sri Lanka. Geoffrey Bawa designed it, and the building is set into a rocky outcrop above the lake and covered in greenery. It was completed in 1994, stands in 211 acres of protected forest and makes a base for Sigiriya, about 11 km away, and the Dambulla Cave Temple, about 10 km away.
The 137 rooms and 15 suites are split between the Dambulla Wing and the Sigiriya Wing. Deluxe twin rooms, Luxury rooms with a king bed and several suite categories all look out over the lake. Every room is non-smoking, with air conditioning, a private bathroom, daily housekeeping and free Wi-Fi.
Cribs are free for children up to 3. Extra beds cost about USD 15 per person per night and are paid at the hotel.
Kanchana is the buffet restaurant, and breakfast there includes Western, Asian, Halal and vegetarian dishes. It costs about USD 25 per person when not in the rate. Kaludiya serves international dishes à la carte in the evening. Kanchana Lounge, Kanchana Bar and Café Kachchan cover drinks and snacks, and there is a pool bar and room service. The hotel also arranges private dinners, including meals in a cave on the grounds.
The infinity pool sits at the edge of the building and looks straight over the lake. It is free for guests, and towels are provided. A full-service spa, a gym and the gardens round out the facilities. Boat safaris on the reservoir leave from a jetty about 130 m below the hotel.
Gambara Dewalaya is about 2.2 km away. Habarana railway station is about 32 km away and Sigiriya Airport about 20 km. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 150 km away. The hotel does not run airport transfers, so arrange a car in advance.
Email the hotel three days before you arrive. Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is before 12:00 PM, and the front desk is open 24 hours. Pets are not allowed.
The South Asian Travel Awards named Heritance Kandalama a leading eco-friendly hotel in 2026.
Sources: Heritance Kandalama (official site). Facts checked November 2026.
Scroll down to available room options: all rates, cancellation terms and prices are listed there.
See Location & area below for the map and what's nearby.
See the full facilities list below.
See House rules below for check-in times, children & beds, pets and payment methods.
Jump to guest reviews below.
Not listed yet: ask the property which cards it takes.
Breakfast info
Rooms with:
Not available for the dates chosen
Not available for the dates chosen
Not available for the dates chosen
Not available for the dates chosen
No room option matches these filters.
This property has self-certified the following health, cleanliness and safety measures. Learn more
Most popular facilities
Free WiFi in public areas and rooms.
The infinity pool is free for guests; pool towels provided.
Heritance Kandalama takes special requests – add in the next step!
From 2:00 PM
Until 12:00 PM
Guests are asked to contact the hotel by email 3 days before arrival.
Cancellation and prepayment policies depend on the room type and rate booked.
Check what conditions apply to each option when making your selection.
Children of all ages are welcome.
Cribs are free. Extra beds cost about USD 15 per person per night, paid at the hotel.
Cot and extra bed prices aren't included in the total price and are paid separately during your stay. All cots and extra beds are subject to availability.
Pets are not allowed.
Shortest estimated walking or driving distances displayed. Actual distances may vary.
Road distance and drive time from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), without traffic.
Others of this kind you opened on this device, so you can get back to them quickly.
No questions yet about Heritance Kandalama. Ask the property or our travel team, and the answer will show here once it is published.
The property answers questions here
Sights and attractions around Heritance Kandalama, nearest first. Times are estimates from the straight-line distance.
Dambulla
About 14 min drive · 5.8 km
The Dambulla Cave Temple, also called the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a Buddhist cave temple of five caves in Matale District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, 72...
Dambulla
About 29 min drive · 12.1 km
Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, is a granite column about 180 metres high in northern Matale District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, near Dambulla, which King Kashyapa...
Places to eat within easy reach of the hotel, with cuisine, price range and reviews.
General
Beside the Kandalama reservoir near Dambulla, about 10 km from the Dambulla Cave Temple and 11 km from Sigiriya.
The Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. The hotel opened in 2005.
Yes. Boat safaris leave from a jetty about 130 m below the hotel.
Stay & facilities
Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is before 12:00 PM.
About USD 25 per person for the buffet when not included in the rate.
Yes. It is free for guests, and pool towels are provided.
Yes. Email the hotel three days before you arrive.
Kanchana for the buffet and Kaludiya for à la carte dinners, plus a bar and a pool bar.
What's included
Yes, both. Cribs are free for children up to 3. Extra beds cost about USD 15 per person per night and are paid at the hotel.
Getting there
No. Arrange your own car or driver.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 150 km away. Book a car in advance, since the hotel does not run transfers.
Families & accessibility
No, the hotel does not allow animals.
Booking
Yes. The breakfast buffet includes Halal and vegetarian options.
Timing & weather
It was completed in 1994 to a design by Geoffrey Bawa.
Cancellations & changes
The cancellation and prepayment terms of Heritance Kandalama are set out under House Rules on this page.
We use necessary cookies to make this site work. With your permission we would also like to remember your preferences, measure how the site is used, and show relevant ads and partner offers. You can change your mind at any time under "Cookie settings" on our Privacy policy page.
