Luxury hotel holiday Heritance Kandalama Sigiriya

Designed by Sri Lanka’s renowned architect, Geoffrey Bawa, Heritance Kandalama Hotel is a masterpiece of modern resort luxury that blends seamlessly with its natural environment, amidst the dramatic scenery of the Cultural Triangle. Spread along the edge of an escarpment facing Kandalama Tank (lake), with views to Sigiriya Rock, this 152- bedroomed resort hotel is built in the form of the outspread wings of a bird between two rocks and appears to be a natural extension of the mountainside. In this inspiring synergy with nature, vegetation grows along the walls, bats swoop in and out of open corridors and monkeys play on the branches outside your balcony. The accommodation is arranged in the two ‘wings’, every room is set at a different angle to its neighbours and has its own private balcony, some affording views of the rock fortress of Sigiriya. The glass fronted bathrooms make you feel as if you are a part of the picturesque natural landscape. These 152 timber-panelled and designer decorated rooms range from Superior to the ultra luxury Royal Suite offering a choice of bathrooms fitted with luxurious rain showers, bathtubs or Jacuzzis.The renowned Heritance chefs combine the best traditions of international cuisine with a Sri Lankan touch, using local and organic ingredients to achieve optimal nutritional value. The large, air-conditioned Kanchana restaurant on the 6th floor serves sumptuous buffets or set menus, whilst on the 7th floor the ‘Kashyapa’ offers à la carte, and the ‘Kalu Diya’ romantic fine dining, All three restaurants have beautiful panoramic views, so enjoy your meal and sip a glass of wine while feasting your eyes on Kandalama Lake, the forests and Sigiriya rock silhouetted against the distant horizon. At Heritance Kandalama, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The Six Senses spa offers a range of spa treatments from around the world; indoors there’s a library, table tennis and games and there are three outdoor swimming pools - a favourite amongst guests is one of Bawa’s ingenious concepts, the sapphire blue infinity pool which appears to fall into the water of the Kandalama Lake. ‘Siripala’ (a traditional flutist from the village) plays his flute in the evenings on the rock just by it. In the 50 acres of grounds you can play tennis, learn about the ecosystem in the eco-park, marvel at the scenery and wildlife from atop an elephant, or on horseback, or take a guided walk along one of the nature trails. With two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the 2,000 year-old cave temple at Dambulla and the Sigiriya rock fortress nearby, and the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, and Minneriya National Park making excellent day excursions, Heritance Kandalama is an ideal base from which to explore Sri Lanka’s ancient heritage and its rich natural environment. Perhaps what is most amazing about Heritance Kandalama is its complete sense of responsibility. Right from its conception in the late 1980s, the hotel has grown up as an intrinsic part of the local community, providing livelihoods and supporting local villages. It goes to great lengths to conserve its local environment and really does put an impressive energy, waste and water conservation policy into practice. No mean feat, and possibly still unique, for a 152-bedroomed hotel. It well deserves its numerous awards – at Heritance Kandalama you really are staying somewhere special.