Niketh Villa Kandy

At Niketh Villa Kandy, the owners were so kind and answered all our questions, with plenty of recommendations to help us along. The villa is comfortable, very clean, and furnished with great taste. We spent one night there in March during our Sri Lanka trip and enjoyed it so much. We’re really looking forward to visiting their second place on the east coast. I’d happily recommend this place.

We really enjoyed the food Sheema made. Dinner came with all sorts of curry, sambal, dal, and soup, and breakfast was delicious too. The rooms are spacious, modern, comfortable, and clean, with huge bathrooms and hot water all the time. I’d definitely recommend staying here.

You’ll need cash, since the machine is broken. We thought breakfast was included, but it wasn’t, and it cost almost as much as dinner, so I’d go out for breakfast. Dinner, though, was the best meal we had in Sri Lanka. We arranged it as a surprise for our hostess, the owner’s mother. She was welcoming, flexible, and charming, and it felt like visiting a family friend. She warned us it would take two hours to make, but it was worth the wait. The property itself was one of the most beautiful I’ve visited, like a Shangrala-style oasis. The house, decor, and design were incredible and felt inspired. I loved the refreshing pool, the beautiful landscaping, and how naturally and tastefully everything was kept.

Breakfast was a real letdown: just some eggs, fresh fruit, and coffee, tea, or juice, yet it cost an incredible 15,00 USD per person. In my view, that price isn’t justified in Sri Lanka or anywhere else. The room could also use a few practical extras, like another bin, a toothbrush glass, disposable toiletries, and a hairdryer. We found dust in the wardrobe and fingerprints on the mirrors and glass doors, so cleanliness could be better. The villa has a lot of potential, though the owners had only been open for four months when we stayed. Nigel and his wife live there, which is a plus. They’re welcoming and happy to share useful tips about Kandy and nearby places. It’s about 6 kms from the busy, noisy centre, using the Temple of Tooth Relic as the reference point. Our standard room was spacious and nicely decorated, as was the bathroom. There’s both air-conditioning and a ceiling fan. No TV or safe, but neither felt like a real problem. A mini-fridge might be useful, and the shared spaces are lovely.