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Hotel Suisse is a white-painted heritage hotel beside Kandy Lake, a few minutes from the Temple of the Tooth, set in nearly four acres of gardens. The house began as the residence of Pilimatalawa, Chief Minister of the Royal Granary under the Kandyan kings, became Haramby House under the British, opened as a guest house under a Swiss owner, Madame Burdayron, in 1890, and in 1944 and 1945 served as the headquarters of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia Command.
All rooms are air-conditioned, with a private bathroom, flat-screen satellite television, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, a safe, bathrobes and toiletries. We sell two of the hotel's categories, and the names below are the ones you will see when you choose a room.
Say whether you want a double or twin beds when you book, and if a lake or pool view matters to you, ask for it with a Colonial room; views in both categories vary from room to room. The hotel also has larger Vintage Rooms with a balcony and lake views, and Tropical Garden Studios with a private entrance, which are not part of our contract.
The Mountbatten Restaurant serves seasonal dishes, Sri Lankan specialities and international favourites. The King's Lounge is a gastropub-style bar with cocktails and mocktails, and the Mountbatten Courtyard and Wine Cellar is a small restored space for wine and quieter dinners. There is also a pool bar for drinks and light bites, and the Suisse Pizzeria bakes pizzas in a wood-fired oven.
The large swimming pool sits in the lawns beside the old house, with loungers and parasols around it, and the gardens are big enough for a proper walk in the middle of town. The spa is open from morning until evening for massages and treatments. The colonnaded verandas, corridors and staircases of the old building are worth a wander in their own right.
The hotel is beside Kandy Lake, and the walk around the water leads to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist shrine, a few minutes away. The centre of Kandy, with its markets and shops, is just beyond. Forest walks begin in the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary behind the temple, and the big white Buddha of Bahirawakanda Vihara looks down over the town. An evening cultural show of Kandyan dancing is an easy outing. A short drive out of town are the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya and the Ceylon Tea Museum.
Yes. Kandy railway station is in the town centre, a short drive from the hotel, and is served by trains from Colombo and on the hill-country line towards Nuwara Eliya and Ella. A three-wheeler or a pre-arranged pick-up will get you to the door.
The hotel is about 84 kilometres in a straight line from Bandaranaike International Airport, and the road climbs into the hills for the last part of the journey, so allow several hours depending on traffic. The simplest way to arrive is a private transfer from Colombo airport to Hotel Suisse, which takes you all the way to the door.
It suits travellers who want to stay within walking distance of the Temple of the Tooth and the lake, in a hotel with real history and a big garden and pool to come back to, rather than a modern resort out of town. Two nights gives you time for the temple, the lake, Peradeniya and an evening of Kandyan dancing. For more choice in the area see our places to stay in Kandy.
It was great place to stay, however, the food quality and variety is a little questionable
We stayed for two nights and had a great time. Such a breathtaking hotel all the staff were really friendly and helpful. We would all defiantly recommend this hotel
From Australia. The building and rooms were beautiful. Dinner was ok Breakfast was great Staff were wonderful Had a good massage Highly Recommended
Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Hotel Suisse Kandy - since 1890.
Bookable activities, tours, and tickets within a 25 km radius.
Pre-book a private vehicle for arrival, departure, or onward travel.
