Hotel Hill Top, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Perched amid mountains and lush foliage on Peradeniya Road, Hotel Hill Top lives up to its name by offering a genuinely elevated experience — both literally and in terms of value. The hotel overlooks the serene Kandy Lake, and guests have described the feeling of being there as nothing short of heavenly. Part of the Jetwing group of hotels, it is designed with the budget-conscious traveller in mind, balancing practicality with a warm sense of place.

Kandy itself lies approximately 120 km from Colombo, reachable in about four hours by car or van, or in two and a half to three hours by train — a journey widely regarded as one of the most scenic rail rides on the island.

Accommodation

The hotel offers 1 Deluxe room and 73 Standard rooms, a mix of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned options, all with hot and cold water, telephone, and laundry services. Each room is practical in design and comes with a private balcony, many of which frame views of the city or the lake below.

Facilities

Guests have access to a restaurant and bar, a freshwater swimming pool with a sun deck furnished with deck chairs and sun shades, as well as table tennis, badminton, and a selection of indoor games — a well-rounded set of amenities for a property at this price point.

Excursions and Nearby Attractions

The hotel's location makes it a convenient base for exploring Kandy's celebrated landmarks. The most revered of these is the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Buddha, also known as the Dalada Maligawa, where a daily ritual called the Tevava is conducted at regular intervals. This ceremony — similar in spirit to an offering made to the Buddha in other temples — involves monks, gate bearers, and a select few devotees who have often waited years for the privilege of participating.

A walk around the picturesque Kandy Lake or a boat ride at sunset are popular ways to enjoy the immediate surroundings. Further afield, the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya are highly recommended, housing what are said to be the tallest bamboos and the oldest tea plant in the world. Close to the gardens stands Peradeniya University, founded in 1942 and one of the oldest universities in Sri Lanka.

The ancient temples of Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka, and Ambekke are also within reach, each remarkable for their Buddha sculptures and traditional architecture. Hotel Hill Top and other hotels in Kandy can arrange city tours and excursions to these sites, making it straightforward to see the region's highlights without the hassle of independent planning.