Overview
Set in the heart of Kandy just minutes away from the city centre, The Secret Kandy is a best kep secret and maintains a private cozy feel. The architecture and intricately carved fixtures, traditional to the Sri Lankan upcountry culture caught our eyes as we entered the place. This exciting feeling of living as in a bygone year was brought to life from the architectureto the interiors-, antiques and mementos from a colonial era.
The Secret Kandy has seen a lot of history in the making having belonged to Siddi Lebbe; a National Hero, the first Muslim Lawyer of Sri Lanka, a great philosopher, educationist, and social reformer. Now a hotel, it still witnesses the lifestyle of the elite with services rendered to its guests in the highest of standards.
The different types of rooms and suites cater to all types of visitors from groups and families on holiday to couples on honeymoon. The fact that we were in the middle of the city was soon forgotten with the large shady trees and gardens brimming with the sweet smell of “araliya” flowers (commonly known as Plumeria). The games room hosts a number of choices of indoor board games, amovie library and aswimming pool to keep you occupied when you don’t feel like venturing out of the hotel. However, the main sites arejust few minutes walking distance away so we found it refreshing to venture out without too much of a hassle.
Stepping out of the hotel for a few minutes by foot brought us to the most sought after Buddhist heritage: The Shri Dalada Maligawa which is the temple of the tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. Religion and History both rolled into one, one can witness the traditions and cultures bounding buddhist history in the life of a Sri Lankan.
A boat ride in the Kandy Lake, Botanical Gardens with unique exotics plants and flowers, Golf grounds, waterfalls and mountain peaks, Tea Estates and Factories, tempting jewellery shops, the Elephant Orphanage, are some of the additional beautiful and interesting activities one can indulge in, within 20 minutes to a two hours ride away in the various directions from the hotel. History, Culture, Nature, Adventure, awaits one who visits The Secret Kandy
Rooms
The Secret Kandy boasts four types of suite and room to accommodate the various types of visitors,.. Each suite and room comes with a 4 poster king sized bed, ensuite bathroom with the best of modern amenities ensuring a fulfilling stay. Wifi for internet access, TV’s with satellite channels, tea/coffee facilities and bottled water, fridge and mini-bar, hairdryers and safety deposit boxes are some of the common basic features offered to all guests no matter which room you choose. The wooden flooring and dark mahogany-wood colored furniture offset with the white / off-white / cream walls and linen calmed the mind as we entered it, leaving the hustle bustle of the city behind us. The high ceilings and ceiling fans made us feel like we were back in the era of bungalow life, living the elite life of the upcountry Sri Lankans while the pristine white on cement bathrooms with bath tubs, rain showers, and the best of amenities gave us the taste of modern luxuries.
The PENTHOUSE SUITE is the epitome of luxury. situated on its own private floor with private access, it is perfect for the new couple in love seeking privacy and romance. With a bathroom half the size of the suite itself with a romantic bathtub having its own corner, a bubble bath becomes a mandatory indulgence.
The FAMILY SUITE is perfect for families with children with a bed room separated by a connecting door with twin beds. Both rooms have their own TV’s as well giving the freedom of choice for the adults and children alike. The families can have their meals in private within this suite with a separate dining area.
The JUNIOR SUITE and DELUXE ROOM were perfect for groups like ours accommodating two people per room. The DELUXE ROOM again is split into 2 sub types; with and without dining area. For those who prefer some more privacy can have their meals in the privacy of their own dining room with a private butler service to tow.
All the suites and rooms have cute birds eye views of the city below you with some through the hotel greenery. It gives you sense of separation and calm away from the city though you know you are still in the city itself.
Dining
Accommodated along the patio by the swimming pool, the dining ambiance itself is a treat. One of the finest restaurants in the city, The Secret Kandy offers a variety of delicious dishes. We woke up to fresh fruit juices a large array of options for breakfast and ended the nights with some really good wine with a deliciously impressive meal for dinner. Ranging from western to local flavors, they got it right each time, pleasing our taste buds and presenting the food in an eye catching aesthetic manner.
We opted for the private butler service for one night and got pampered with the food served in our very own private dining area with the butler service at our fingertips throughout the whole meal. It was literally a “your wish is our command” experience with such a personalized service making us feel on top of the world.
One may even ask for the a table to be set outside of the roofed patio out below the blue and white sunny sky or the starry gaze of the night. The smell of the beautiful “araliya” flowers will keep you company as you indulge in a hearty breakfast, a refreshing lunch or an indulgent dinner.
Things to do & local tips
The Secret Kandy is situated in the heart of the historic capital of Kandy, giving easy access to the Temple of the tooth relic (Shri DaladaMaligawa), a multitude of historic and cultural sites within Kandy, beautiful nature such as the Kandy Lake, the botanical gardens and the numerous waterfalls and mountain peaks. Within driving distance, you get some of the country’s best tea estates and factories. With close proximity to the center of the country, you find the cultural triangle enclosing Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, with its history and nature wth only a few hours drive out.
The history of Sri Lanka will unfold with visits to the ruins of palaces and statues, the buddhist and Hindu temples built through the ancient kingdoms and then the colonial rules.
A visit to the country’s renowned elephant orphanage will give you the opportunity to watch our majestic elephants as they have their daily baths and meals fed to them. You will also have the opportunity to feed them yourself.
Some of the highlights recommended are:
Kandy (religious and historic) - Sri DaladaMaligawa (Buddhist temple of the Lord Buddha’s Tooth Relic), Historic temples and ruins such as the Garrison Cemetery, AmbakkaDevalaya, Degaldoruwa Raja MahaViharaya
Kandy (nature) - Botanical Gardens, Kandy Lake
Hanthana - Ceylon Tea Museum
Knuckles - mountain range
Upcountry various cities - Tea estates and factories
Pinnawela - elephant orphanage
Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla - world heritage sights and historic landmarks
Day trips or longer overnight stays can be arranged through the hotel where they will recommend reputed travel companies and hotels to plan your trip.
The Secret Kandy ensures with their impeccable service and hosting, that any visitor would surely return to lap in the luxury of the secret.