Kukul Oya Road kandy, Kandy Central Province, Narampanawa, Sri Lanka | (618) 248-8274
Rustic, quiet retreat with views of the lush Knuckle Mountains
Huge rooms have sitting areas, furnished outdoor spaces, and dining tables
Yoga and meditation classes daily in the open-air pavilion
Open-air spa with Ayurvedic and barefoot shiatsu massage, as well as a steam room
Vegetarian restaurant with local, organic food that's reportedly stellar
Free breakfast consisting of Sri Lankan specialties
Multiple open-air lounge areas
Nothingwithin walking distance
No Wi-Fi, cellphone service, or TVs (pro for some)
Rooms lack air-conditioning and toiletries
Some rooms share bathrooms
Rooms show wear and tear
The three-pearl Kandy Samadhi Centre is a 12-room rustic resort located a 50-minute drive from Kandy. Inspired by meditation, rooms are scattered around its extensive lush and quiet grounds. Many guests come to utilize the yoga and meditation classes, or the extensive Ayurvedic treatments. Rooms are large and appointed with antique furniture, sitting areas, and tea- and coffee-making facilities, but they're showing wear and tear. Bathrooms are large but they're occasionally shared between rooms and there are no toiletries. An organic vegetarian restaurant serves free breakfast and food receives stellar reviews. Though there is nothing within walking distance, the hotel can help organize tours. There is no Wi-Fi, cellphone service, or TVs, so it's best for guests looking to unplug. Travelers seeking more amenities may prefer the Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge, though rates are much higher.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Rustic retreat in the Knuckle Mountains
Kandy Samadhi Centre has just 12 rooms, but they're spread over extensive grounds. The property was formerly a tea plantation before it was bought by an antique dealer who turned it into a hippie retreat inspired by meditation. This means there are no Wi-Fi, TVs, or cellphone service, and the property is best for tourists with an interest in unplugging from the world and learning more about yoga, massage, and meditation. Decor throughout is locally inspired, with lots of antique furniture and temple-like structures, but some areas look quite worn. The lobby (called the Zen Lounge) is painted a bright vermillion and has floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that lead out to a large furnished terrace under a clay-tile roof. There are stone pathways crisscrossing the lush grounds that lead to rooms, lotus ponds, and multiple terraces overlooking the tropical forests. Guests should expect to do lots of walking and the pathways are lit by oil lamps at night.
Location
Almost an hour away from Kandy by car
The hotel is a 50-minute drive from the city of Kandy in central Sri Lanka, up winding mountain paths that are poorly lit at night. (Guests recommend arriving in the daytime to avoid a harrowing drive.) Because of its rural, remote location, there isn't anything in walking distance of the hotel other than a waterfall that is a 30-minute hike away. The resort is meant to be its own little enclosed world, which means guests probably won't want to venture out from its grounds. If they do, though, there are some interesting attractions in Kandy to see, including the Temple of the Tooth (a 50-minute drive), the Ceylon Tea Museum (a 60-minute drive), and the Royal Botanic Gardens (a 60-minute drive). The nearest airport is in Colombo, about three-and-a-half hours away by car.
Rooms
Huge, individually decorated rooms without TVs, Wi-Fi, or toiletries
There are 12 rooms, all individually decorated and location in different areas separated by the forested grounds. Because the retreat is owned by an antique dealer, the rooms are decked out in antique furniture, which range from charming, hand-carved pieces to some that are looking worse for the wear. All rooms have terra-cotta or stone floors, sitting areas, dining sets, artwork and/or decorative accents, and simple linens. Some rooms are open-air, which means guests must sleep under a mosquito net to not be bothered by bugs at night. All have furnished patios with varying views of the grounds or mountains. Rooms are incredibly rustic, meaning they lack TVs, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, fans, and toiletries. Tea- and coffee-making facilities are included though. Bathrooms are occasionally shared between rooms and many are open-air as well. All have river rock floors, bathtubs, and showers without stalls.
Features
Ayurveda spa with massage and a yummy vegetarian restaurant
Lots of guests at the Kandy Samadhi Centre are there to utilize the on-site spa and yoga facilities. The rustic open-air spa offers Ayurvedic treatments, barefoot shiatsu massage, a steam bath, and an astrologer on appointment. There are a river area for bathing, a library, nature walks, yoga classes, and meditation instruction. The open-air vegetarian restaurant offers organic, local Sri Lankan food, which receives excellent reviews from past guests. All rates include a free breakfast with Sri Lankan specialties and cooking classes are available. There is little on-site parking, but it's free.
