Lavendish Hills Kandy

We stayed on the 2nd floor, where the elegant room interiors added to the charm of the place. The staff were warm, welcoming, and accommodating with our requests. It’s a new, well-maintained property with lovely interiors, set on a hilltop in a beautiful location.

The one bright spot was the restaurant team, who were pleasant and smiling. Reception, though, didn't seem friendly or interested in answering questions, and the luggage process at check-in was odd: we had to identify our bags and wait for staff to bring them. We waited so long that we missed part of our first day and were late for an excursion. Not all the bags came, so I eventually went to get one myself. The neighborhood around Lavandish Hills in Kandy felt questionable. There were strange evening noises, burning smells, lots of stray dogs, and we even had a power cut. In the room, the hair dryer didn't work, the balcony doors looked as if they might open at any moment, and the view was very poor. We didn't use the pool because it looked dirty. Breakfast had very little choice. Dinner in the hotel restaurant took a long time to arrive. The food was edible, but nothing special. The whole stay was uncomfortable, and we wouldn't choose to stay here again.

The view from the top of the hotel is mesmerizing, and the staff are friendly. Food and facilities were okay, though the rooms are a little small. The hotel has a slope on the way to the rooms, which isn't good for elderly people or anyone with asthma or knee problems. Also, the fan wasn't working and there was no regulator. Otherwise, it was good.

The viewing spot on the 6th floor is very nice, with the bar, small lounge Bool, and viewing gallery there. The reception staff, including asint and youth, were very nice to deal with, and the hotel team made a lot of effort to keep everyone comfortable. The property was refurbished a few months ago, and the hardware is excellent, though I wouldn't rate it above a 3-star hotel. Our room was comfortable and the noise level moderate. There’s definitely room to improve the food. The dining area staff were a mix: some seemed well trained, while others were rude. Prashant was especially difficult to deal with, although the other dining staff were humble and kind. We visited as a group through the Thomas Cook Sri Lanka package.