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The Kandy House

Overview

A superb historic dwelling, once the ancestral home of a Kandyan family "Ratwatte's" and recently refurbished to its glorious halcyon splendour.

A peaceful and tranquil setting offers beautiful landscaped gardens around the master house with a swimming pool at the foot of the valley garden. Roses, avocados, Jackwood, Papaya, Sri Lankan orange and Kithul trees -supplying mountains of treacle for delicious desserts- surround you in the gardens as you relax with the familiar ritual of afternoon tea.

The main house is designed quite uniquely on two storeys with a central atrium courtyard, typical of many colonial homes, allowing maximum circulation of the air. The sweeping Jackwood staircase and landings add a definitive character to this truely boutique residence.

The elephant orphanage, Botanical Gardens and temple of the Tooth are all within an easy drive by car, as are many cultural sites. Yoga is available and there is delightful hiking around the area with time to admire the colourful flora and fauna.

Rooms

There are 8 bedrooms within the villa, each with a colonial character brought to life with contemporary silks and cottons. Four poster beds with mosquito nets feature in each room; ceiling fans and floor to ceiling shuttered windows overlook the gardens .

Verandah rooms - Peacock Royal and Red Spot Duke
The most spacious rooms which open onto a wide wrap around verandah, dotted with cane chaises longues, reading chairs and antiques. Luxurious bathrooms with tub and shower, twin wash basins.

Gallery Rooms - Red Admiral and Cornelian
A de luxe double rooms on the upper floor overlooking a large courtyard. These rooms open onto a private verandah complete with chaise longue to lie back and enjoy the jungle views and pepper trees.

Gallery Rooms - Sunbeam and Lime Butterfly
One de luxe double and one twin room. The twin room has a lovely bathroom with double basin, and a vintage cast iron bath and shower. The windows overlook the large internal courtyard. The double room overlooks the garden, otherwise is similar to the twin room.

Garden suite
An ultra de luxe double room with arched doors opening out from the large living area onto the garden. The bedroom features a low king size bed and a wonderfully romantic bathroom has a tiled, octagonal 2 person bath and massage area.

Standard Room - Monkey Puzzle
Our smallest room. The bathroom has a shower and a single basin. This bedroom is on the lower level of the courtyard and has low ceilings. As it adjoins the Garden suite the combination makes a delightful family suite for teenage children.


Dining

Dining at the Kandy House is more like staying with friends and attending a dinner party each night, while breakfast is a background to a discussion of events of night before. Tables are arranged informally around the courtyard for al fresco evenings. Larger groups may prefer to eat at the grand dining table.

Meals are prepared by a French chef, who shops daily for local ingredients.

We dined on watercress soup and home made bread. Thai grilled chicken on saffron rice followed and to finish we devoured a mouthwatering caramalised pecan creme brulee.

Wine was plentiful with an excellent selection of house wines.

Many guests are impatient to begin sightseeing but should not leave before the platter of tropical fruits and array of breads and local jams. Cooked breakfasts are standard if that is your preference.

Those guests with more time relaxed around the pool and Yves rusttled up a wonderful tuna salad for lunch.