Olde Empire Hotel

The terrace was a highlight for me, and the building still has its original 19th century charm. It is a bit run down and not the cleanest, but for that location the price is unbeatable. They also let us use the kitchen, which was a big plus, and everyone was friendly. I really enjoyed staying here.

We stopped by for evening snacks and drinks, and wanted to use the washroom. They didn’t have the wood apple juice we asked for because it wasn’t in season, so we decided to leave. Then we found out washroom use costs 150 SLR per person, and you have to order something regardless. You’re left choosing between paying or using washrooms that didn’t seem very hygienic. It’s centrally located and family run, but may not suit everyone, no pun intended.

This old hotel, about 150 years old, is run by a father and son and sits by the side entrance to the temple. They put their heart and soul into keeping it original. It’s extremely affordable, and the Kandy lake is beautiful. I hope I can return.

We arrived late in the evening, checked the rooms, and decided to leave for somewhere else. There were cockroaches in the rooms, as shown in the attached images, a strong damp smell, dirty bed sheets, and generally poor cleaning. The owner then chose not to refund our deposit. The place may be charming and central, as other reviewers say, but it’s not for anyone who cares about hygiene.