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Queen's Hotel is Kandy's landmark colonial hotel, a white turreted building in the centre of town beside the Temple of the Tooth, facing Kandy Lake. Its site has been a place for travellers since the 1840s and it took its present name in honour of Queen Victoria; today it has 90 rooms looking over the lake, the temple, the hills or the pool, with an outdoor pool, four places to eat and drink, and the whole of old Kandy on the doorstep.
We sell two of the hotel's room types. All rooms are air-conditioned, with an attached bathroom with a rain shower and hand shower, a minibar or mini fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, a safe, a writing desk, satellite TV and an IDD telephone; Wi-Fi is free.
Cots are free on request, and extra beds can be arranged. Interconnecting rooms are available on request, which is useful for families; children under 12 stay free when sharing their parents' room, and the hotel charges children of 12 and over as adults. If you would like a lake view, say so when you book and we will ask the hotel for one.
The Queen of Hearts is the main restaurant, serving local and international dishes in a colonial-style dining room. Queen's Bar pours classic cocktails, whisky and local drinks, East Ceylon Café does coffee, sandwiches and light bites, and the Pastry Shop sells cakes and freshly baked pastries. In-room dining is available around the clock.
After a morning in the temples you can come back to the outdoor pool and sun deck, and there is a fitness centre and a spa. The hotel runs a three-hour guided Kandy Heritage Walk, which leaves the lobby at 7.45 am and looks at the history of the Kandyan kingdom and its crafts; book it the day before, as places are limited. The concierge can arrange tours, transport and car hire, and parking is free.
The hotel stands next to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most revered sites, and the walking path around Kandy Lake starts across the road. In July or August the Esala Perahera, ten nights of processions in honour of the relic, passes through these streets. Evening Kandyan dance shows are held in town, the Kandyan Art Association stands beside the lake, and the forest of Udawatta Kele rises behind the temple. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya are a short drive out of town, and the big white Buddha at Bahirawakanda looks down over the city.
Yes. Kandy railway station is in the town centre, a short tuk-tuk ride from the hotel, with trains from Colombo and onward services into the hill country.
Kandy lies inland from Colombo, and the drive from Bandaranaike International Airport takes a few hours depending on traffic. The simplest way to arrive is a private transfer from Colombo airport to Queen's Hotel, which brings you to the hotel's door in the town centre.
It suits travellers who want to be in the middle of things, within walking distance of the temple, the lake and the town's shops and restaurants, and who enjoy the character of a historic hotel more than modern luxury. For other options in and around the city see our places to stay in Kandy.
Antique hotel with tradition Considering it's old, staying there will be no problem at all. The breakfast restaurant has a nice atmosphere. The room cleanliness is also reasonably good. Dear hotel One thing I hope for is that yo…
Hotel with great classic taste in its details. Lovely staff. Rest assured in the middle of a big city like Kandy.
We really enjoyed our stay at the Queen’s Hotel in Kandy. The location is absolutely fantastic – right in the heart of the city and just next to Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth. What makes this hotel special is its history…
Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Queen's Hotel.
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