Emerald Hill Hotel

The pool could use much better care. It and the surrounding area weren't clean, and I don't think the water is cleaned every day. At 1.2 m deep, it also doesn't seem suitable for kids. The rest was good: plenty of parking, clean and comfortable rooms with all the facilities you need, and a restaurant where you can eat. There's a nice view too, and the staff were super friendly. A little more attention to the pool would be a real plus for the hotel.

The food and drinks were top notch, and the prices felt very reasonable compared with other places. I found the service great, with friendly staff. It's one of the best hotels I've stayed at in Kandy. Being close to the Mahaweli river also gives the rooms a lovely scenic view. I'd highly recommend it to locals and visitors from abroad.

The meals took far too long. We ordered at 7pm and asked to eat at 9, but only some dishes arrived at 9.20 and the rest around 9.45. Two of us had nothing to eat until then. The pool was dirty and smelled bad; its filter wasn't on, and staff didn't seem to care after we complained. The room itself was excellent and clean, and the food was okay once it came. But the hot shower only stayed hot for about five minutes, even though they told us to switch it on 20 minutes before washing. Also, if you need something brought to your room, ask twice. I requested coffee mate through room service, waited nearly 20 minutes, then went to reception and got it within two. If you decide to stay, I'd get food from outside. The rooms are good and clean.

We had a really good stay. The rooms had what we needed, including a refrigerator and kettle, and the staff were friendly and gave great service. The food was amazing too. The hotel is about a five-minute drive from Kandy town, and you can see the Mahaweli river flowing below from the scenic grounds. A great choice for a weekend or some downtime in Kandy. I'd recommend it to locals and foreigners alike.