Our opinion
Earl’s Regency is an excellent value, high quality option for rural stop-overs in Kandy.
Hotel description
High on a hillside, the five star Earl’s Regency is owned by the Aitken Spence hotel group, and is reputedly the best hotel in Kandy. As you approach along the driveway and across the river, the hotel building emerges out of the trees, adorned by wooden beams, large windows, and ochre-coloured walls. Its style has both something oriental and colonial about it, and is made even more distinctive by the old wooden-framed, sheltered bridge, supported by vine-wrapped pillars, that links the main building to the rooms. Inside, the wooden beams are transformed into a modern feature, accompanied by marble floors, white walls, and rustic dark wood furnishings. The rooms themselves follow the same colour schemes, but with a more traditional approach. Textured fabrics are set beside regal furnishings and authentic Sri Lankan artworks. All steps have been taken, as the hotel name suggests, to blend the regal aspect of Sri Lanka’s colonial history with the beauty of the island’s landscape, so large windows in each room open out onto the sea of treetops below and the green mountains that score the horizon. In the evenings, three dining options are available, all to the high standard that has won the Aitken Spence group so many culinary awards: fine dining in the authentic setting of Far Pavilions, which serves a range of cuisines; delicious Indian dishes in the Royal Spice Restaurant, the first five-star Indian Restaurant in Kandy; or, a more casual atmosphere and snacks at the Mountbatten Lounge. After dinner drinks are served in Bars, a modern bar that still bears the regal twist of the rest of Earl’s Regency. For a serene and pleasurable morning or afternoon, guests can enjoy the facilities of the Ayu Spa, which offers the relaxing, natural treatments that have come to be associated with five star resorts in Sri Lanka. The free-form swimming pool, moulded to the shape of the protruding rocks, and equipped with poolside bar, is a sunny alternative to the spa, and provides guests of all ages with refreshingly cool water. Stay at this rural retreat, high amongst the forests and mountains of Kandy and ideally located for visits to tea plantations, on your Sri Lankan touring holiday. Earl’s Regency offers an interesting contrast when paired with seafront resorts and boutique villas.
Location
On the banks of the Mahaweli Ganga in Tennekumbura.
Distance from airport
74 miles
Closest airport
Bandaranaike International Airport
Room types
134 rooms with air-conditioning, telephone, safe, hairdryer, tea and coffee machines, and laundry service.
Standard Room with balcony
Deluxe Room with balcony
Luxury Room with balcony
Family Room with balcony
Luxury Suite with separate living and dining area with terrace
Junior Suite with separate living and dining area with balcony
Mountbatten Suite with large separate living and dining area and large balcony
Hotel facilities and services
Swimming pool, Far Pavilion Restaurant, Royal Spice Indian Restaurant, Mountbatten Lounge, Bar, Ayu Spa, gym, shopping arcade, currency exchange, postal service, children’s pool, and children’s playground.
Land sports
Tennis and badminton.
Out and aboutnearby/local interest
While staying in Kandy, ensure you have time to visit the old Kandy marketplace in town. This will give you a true glimpse into the everyday life of Kandy residents. Perhaps also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which contains what is reputedly the tooth of Lord Buddha, which historically gives sovereign power to whoever possesses it. Near the Temple is the Royal Palace of Kandy, the former residence of Kandy’s last king, King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, and now the city museum. The picturesque man-made Kandy Lake still sits at the centre of the city, with its island of palm and bamboo. The Royal Botanical Gardens contain more than 4,000 species, and display a great number of plants that have been intrinsic in Sri Lanka’s ‘spice’ heritage. Active visitors may wish to plan a hike up the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Knuckles Mountains. This is also an excellent activity for flora and fauna enthusiasts. Perhaps also visit the rock temples at Dambulla, or the ruined medieval city of Polonnaruwa. Anuradhapura is the spiritual home of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, with its dagobas, ruins, and sacred fig tree mythically brought from India in the 3rd century.
Sports nearby
Victoria Golf and Country Resort is very nearby, to which the hotel can arrange transport.
Children
Interconnecting rooms or additional beds and cots are available.