Sky Pavilion

Dinner on the top-floor balcony was a highlight. We had a candle lit dinner while watching the sun go down, with stunning views stretching as far as the eye could see. All the meals we had at Sky Pavilion were delicious. The rooms and shared spaces were lovely. Our ceiling even had little star lights that made it feel like we were looking up at a starry sky at night. The staff, especially Priyantha, were incredibly kind and went out of their way to make our time at Sky Pavilion memorable. Their local recommendations also made our time in Kandy special. Highly recommend!

The staff serving breakfast were very pleasant, and we enjoyed eating on the rooftop. The building is interesting and the views are great, though the finish is poor and the all-white furnishings could be cleaner. It felt very expensive for the service and location. If you’re bringing a driver, check whether accommodation is available for them. A sign at reception says drivers or guides can’t stay, which is the norm at most hotels in Sri Lanka. You’ll also need a car to get up the very steep hillside.

The penthouse room was very small, and an extra bed may cost Rs 5000. Once it was in, there’d be no room for luggage, so I wouldn’t recommend this for families with kids. For couples, it could be a great hotel. There’s nowhere nearby to get food, and large vehicles can’t make it up the steep hill, though the hotel will arrange an auto for the trip up. The elevator is much slower than walking, so don’t bother. It’s an impressive building with a great view, but the finishing is poor, and the price felt too high for the service and location. I booked the penthouse for the view shown in the pictures, including the bathtub view. Unfortunately, I couldn’t open the curtains. They were broken, and when we tried, they started to crumble.

We only stayed one night, so our visit was short, but we had a very good time. The penthouse view was amazing, and the staff were very nice. We could eat on the terrace right beside our room and enjoy the view during dinner.