Elephant Stables

Location: Sri Lanka's Hill Country | Sri Lanka

The Elephant Stables is a beautiful luxury hotel in the hills above Kandy, Sri Lanka, a colonial mansion with incredible views of the surrounding hills and Knuckles Mountains. The historic attractions of central Kandy lie just 10 minutes away, and delicious Sri Lankan and international cuisine is waiting for you after a day’s sightseeing. The hotel even has a fleet of classic cars which will take you around the local sights and scenery.


Perfect forExperiencing Kandy in colonial style.
In the knowThis hotel is named after the elephants that used to be housed in the sprawling gardens of this former plantation.

Recommended for...

  • Setting & Views
  • Boutique Hotel
  • Chic Design
  • Family-friendly

Hotel Overview

Sense of place

This elegant hotel offers aristocratic style and luxurious accommodation in a beautiful location - this is a serene haven, yet isn't far from Kandy. The Knuckles Mountains can be seen from the rooms, some of which have either private balconies or large verandas.

Rooms at Elephant Stables

The accommodation at Elephant Stables offers something for everyone. The rooms have an old world, colonial feel alongside chic contemporary influences, with hand-carved wooden features and opulent four-poster beds. The Pepper Room features a large outdoor veranda with sweeping views of the hills, and the Citronella Suite has a lovely vantage point over the hotel garden and the mist-shrouded Knuckles Mountains in the distance. 

The standalone Cottage Suite offers extra privacy and exclusivity: this beautiful cottage overlooks the lawn and the pool and is decorated with ornately-carved folding wooden cut-out walls.

Food & drink

The food here is renowned, so don't miss the chance to experience it for yourself. Breakfast is hearty and diverse, with continental and English options on offer alongside traditional Sri Lankan dishes like hoppers: coconut pancakes fashioned into a bowl, filled with a baked egg and topped with curried veg and relishes.

At lunchtime, a range of light and quick meals like sandwiches, toasties and pastas are available to help you refuel for the afternoon’s activities, and a traditional afternoon Ceylon tea is served on the lawn. The local pastries and cakes are irresistible.

Dinner is a sumptuous, multi-course affair, with a choice of Sri Lankan, Asian and western menus, including the hotel’s signature rice and curry dishes and Thai fusion cuisine.

Facilities

The Apsara Spa is the perfect place to wind down after a day’s sightseeing in Kandy, offering a range of massage, facial and body therapies and traditional Ceylonese treatments. There’s a beautiful infinity pool in the garden with sweeping views of the surrounding hills - the pool deck is the place to relax and enjoy the views at sunset. If you fancy some yoga in this stunning setting, a yoga teacher can be brought in by arrangement. Local handicrafts are displayed around the hotel which can be bought as a souvenir.

Guests are also provided with mobile phones with Sri Lankan sim cards, so that you can contact the hotel at all times to be picked up from Kandy if you so choose.

Activities at Elephant Stables

The ancient centre of Kandy is within easy reach, either 10 minutes by tuk-tuk or an hour’s walk. Highlights include the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism, which houses a tooth said to have been the Buddha’s left canine.

Back at the hotel, there’s plenty to keep you occupied too. In keeping with the colonial feel, there’s a collection of classic British cars from the mid-20th century, with drives available around Kandy Lake or to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage further afield.

As night falls, head to the bar for the signature cocktail - the Elephant Unstable (!), and watch a classic movie in the living room.

Best time to go

Best time to travel

Good time to travel (but some limitations)

Travel is possible (but it’s not the best time)

Travel is not recommended

  • Jan
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Best time to go

Hotel location

The Elephant Stables is around 3 hours’ drive from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Pick-ups from the airport can be arranged by the hotel, who will even drive you to your next destination if you’re heading somewhere else in Sri Lanka after Kandy.

Stay at Elephant Stables on these trips

More places to stay in Sri Lanka's Hill Country

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