Amaya Hills
Sri LankaOverview
What makes this place worth the journey.
Perched above the verdant slopes of the He erassagala hillside, Amaya Hills Kandy frames Sri Lanka’s hill country in a new light: where mist-tipped mountains meet refined comfort, and heritage echoes through modern elegance. From the vantage of its sweeping terrace, the city of Kandy lies far below, muffled in green twilight. Here, couples watch golden hour cascade across the deck; families relish open-air pools; experience seekers breathe in cool mountain air before heading out to tea-estate trails. In this hill-top haven, luxury gains altitude and nature becomes part of the narrative.
Why come here
The reasons travellers book around this place.
About the Property
Amaya Hills Kandy sits like a pavilion above the tumbling hills west of Kandy, offering one of the most dramatic vantage points in the region. Its design gently nods to Kandyan traditions — timber elements, low-sloping roofs, and wide verandas — while delivering modern amenities and service. The resort captures the vital ingredient of hill-country luxury: space, air, and view. As dusk falls, lanterns along the terrace glow, the pool mirrors the sky, and the mountain peaks dim behind the haze.
“Above the trees you find stillness; the city’s hum becomes a softened backdrop, the mountain air your deepest relaxant.”
Sithiyam Insider: For travellers seeking a dual-stay experience — mountain retreat followed by beach — combine Amaya Hills with a Sri Lanka southern coast property to balance altitude with shoreline.
A sense of place permeates each space: the restaurants open to mountain breezes, the rooms invite you to linger on balconies with a book and a cuppa, the service strikes a tone of easy sophistication. Whether here for a honeymoon, family holiday or a business-meets-relaxation stay, the resort blends premium comfort with the informal freedom of Hill Country living.
When to go
The dry, bright window and the months to sit out.
Getting here
From Colombo airport (CMB), three good ways down the coast.
Private car
Roughly 2–2½ hrs on the E01 Southern Expressway from the airport. The way we send most guests — door to door, stop when you like.
Coastal train
The Colombo–Matara line hugs the shore for stretches. Slower and less predictable, but a lovely ride if you sit on the right, ocean side.
Expressway bus
Air-conditioned coaches run Colombo–Galle in about two hours for a few dollars. Frequent, but no help with bags or timing.
Once you're there
What the rooms are like.
Accommodation & Rooms
Rooms at Amaya Hills Kandy are designed to frame the horizon and invite tranquillity. With 104 rooms and suites, the categories cater from Flex travellers to Luxe seekers, each equipped for modern comfort and hill-top serenity. amayaresorts.com+1
Room Categories:
- Deluxe Room: Entry category with valley or city-edge view — ideal for families or Flex travellers.
- Premium Deluxe / Mountain View: Elevated views of He erassagala and the Knuckles mountain range — perfect for couples seeking a romantic plateau.
- Junior Mountain View Suite / Family Mountain View Suite: Larger layouts, often with two beds and lounge area — suitable for groups or longer stays. MakeMyTrip+1
Rooms feature air-conditioning, private balconies, tea/coffee making facilities, satellite TV, minibar, and high-speed WiFi. Bathrooms often include both bath and shower. Comfortable, with good finishing, though some reviews note the décor reflects its age. MakeMyTrip+1
Editor’s Note: Request a higher-floor mountain-facing room to capture early-morning mist drifting across the valley and the cascade of mountain shadows.
What to do
What is worth your time from here.
Walk the ramparts at dusk
A slow loop of the sea walls as the light goes — lighthouse, Flag Rock, the mosque, and cricket on the green below. The definitive Galle hour.
Lose an afternoon in the lanes
Dutch Reformed Church, the Maritime Museum, gem and jewellery ateliers, and a dozen galleries and concept stores between Pedlar and Church streets.
Swim at Unawatuna
A sheltered, palm-backed crescent — the south coast's easiest swimming beach, with reef snorkelling at the Jungle Beach end.
Whales out of Mirissa
Forty minutes east, small-boat trips head out at dawn for blue and sperm whales passing the continental shelf.
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In frames
A closer look, frame by frame.
Where to eat
Where to eat and drink at the hotel.
Poonie's Kitchen, Pedlar's Inn and a dozen café courtyards for a long morning between the lanes.
Grilled catch and cold beers at the beach shacks of Unawatuna and Dalawella, a short tuk-tuk from the walls.
The Tuna & The Crab or Fort Bazaar for a dressed-up evening — book ahead in season.
Dining & Culinary Experience
Dining at Amaya Hills unfolds as part of the hill-top experience. The restaurant Rasawasala offers international and Sri Lankan fare with mountain vistas. A terrace-bar and poolside lounge add atmosphere for sundowners and relaxed evenings. expedia+1
The open-air ambience makes each meal feel elevated: iced filter-coffee on the terrace, crisp salads as the clouds drift, full buffets with red rice and Lankan curry for those seeking local flavour.
Pro Tip: Arrive just before sunset for pre-dinner drinks on the terrace — the shifting colours of the hills make for a memorable backdrop.
Where to stay
How to slow down while you are here.
Experiences & Facilities
Amaya Hills doesn’t just offer accommodation — it offers vantage. Facilities include:
- Large outdoor pool with panoramic mountain view
- Fitness centre and squash/tennis courts per resort listing expedia
- Full-service spa and wellness treatments
- Kids and family-friendly layout: large rooms, garden space, etc.
- easy access to Kandy’s cultural core (see Location & Accessibility)
Editor’s Note: For nature lovers, a dawn walk along the hillside path behind the resort rewards you with birdcalls, distant mist and a quiet connection to the landscape before breakfast.
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How long to stay
Activities and excursions from the hotel.
Why Stay Here
- Elevated hill-top location with sweeping valley and mountain views.
- Comfortable, modern facilities in a lush hillside setting — ideal for couples, family stays or groups.
- A thoughtful blend of heritage design and contemporary comfort.
- Proximity to Kandy city’s culture and nature experiences.
- The resort delivers “mountain luxury” without sacrificing accessibility.
Sithiyam Insider: If guests arrive from the low-lying coast, the climate shift to the cooler Kandy hills is a refreshing contrast — perfect for a multi-destination itinerary.
Travel tips
The small things that make the difference here.
Insider Tips for Guests
Pro Tip: Ask for a “Mountain View” or “Premium Mountain View” room — the balcony captures sunrise and early mist rolling down the valley.
Editor’s Note: Transport back into Kandy city after dusk can be slower due to traffic; plan dinner timing accordingly.
Sithiyam Insider: Consider staying on the hillside first, then descending into Kandy city for the next leg — this sequencing accentuates the hill-top serenity followed by cultural immersion.
Guest Reviews & Testimonials
Guest sentiment for Amaya Hills Kandy is consistently positive on views and setting — reviewers praise the expansive hill-top panorama and the reset-feeling of the resort. For example: “Property is located on a hilltop with breathtaking views… very nice breakfast spread.” MakeMyTrip Some constructive remarks note décor updating and vegetarian food options requiring request. MakeMyTrip+1 Overall ratings sit in the very good-to-excellent range.
What it costs
Rough, honest per-person guides — we price the real thing to your dates.
Common questions
Everything worth knowing before you go.
Make it yours.
Tell us what pulls at you and we'll thread this journey into one private itinerary — sent back on a live link within 24 hours.
