The Mansion, Kandy

Location: Kandy, Central Province
Date of visit: 8th October 2010

Located in the town of Aladeniya, about 30 minutes from Kandy and along the highway to Kurunagala, is a wonderful boutique hotel called “The Mansion”. Originally built in the 1920′s and occupied by the Nugawela family, it today provides travelers a refreshing alternative to the average city hotel.

Charm & Hospitality

I , myself, stumbled upon the place while scouting wedding halls for my sister and was pleasantly surprised– Situated about 100 m from the main road, surrounded by lush trees and paddy fields, tranquility is easily found at The Mansion. There is a certain charm about the place with most of its original decor still intact, from its wall hanging “Kolam” masks to the glass stained dome roof and the spiral “servants” staircase. Yet so, not lost are the more recent luxuries of air conditioned rooms and an outdoor swimming pool.

The hotel is quite small (having only 10 rooms) but promises its guests the hospitality and warmth of a family run establishment. Staff are extremely friendly, most taking the time to chat with guests and share some of the building’s history. During my visit, I met Mr. Senarath who had grown up in a  neighboring village and now works as the hotel’s Manager. He recounted stories heard from previous tenants, giving us a flavor of what it was like living there decades ago. The staff also spoke good English and were well equipped to host foreign guests– its occupants on the day we visited were tourists from India and UK.

Quiet Getaway

If you are looking for a quiet getaway, I highly recommend a stay at The Mansion. However it should also be noted that if during your trip you plan on having frequent excursions into Kandy, another hotel located within the city might suit you better.

Goto main Kandy page: The Sacred City of Kandy, UNESCO World Heritage