Kahanda Kanda

Swimming amongst the lush green tea plantations of Sri Lanka’s southern hills, Kahanda Kanda is a small yet perfectly formed boutique hotel. Wonderfully personal and irrepressibly charismatic, the property consists of three large living pavilions and just ten magnificent suites scattered amongst the flourishing grounds, complete with an infinity pool overlooking Koggala lake and a Massage Pavilion with some of the best views that we’ve ever seen. With stunning attention to detail in every aspect – from the impeccable service to the exquisite haute cuisine and finely tuned personal touches in each room – this hotel has us all of a flutter. Go on, run for the hills. This place is worth it.

Location

Set amongst a twelve-acre plantation on a working tea estate, Kahanda Kanda is nestled up in the rolling hills of southern Sri Lanka, just five kilometres inland from the coast and in easy reach of the beautiful and historic town of Galle; a colonial settlement built around the remnants of its fascinating 15th-century fort. The hotel provides all the seclusion and picturesque tranquillity of a countryside retreat whilst remaining only a few minutes from local cultural hotspots, glistening beaches and the blissful blue water of the coast. You’re never far away from all the best spots the area has to offer.

Your room

Elegance and understated sophistication ooze from every one of the Kahanda Kanda’s ten suites, each set apart in their own grounds with names such as ‘Tamarind’, ‘Tea’ and ‘Peacock’. Authentic antiques and four-poster beds covered in crisp white linen take centre stage in each room, harking back to the lavish colonial days gone by. Step outside onto the sweeping wraparound veranda to take in the staggering natural beauty of your surroundings, sit and read, or simply float in the private plunge pools of three of the suites, listening to the soothing sounds of birds calling through the trees.

Why we like it

The abundance of tropical flowers, mango trees and sheer greenness of the hotel’s surroundings gently lulled us into a serene aura of calm, made all the sweeter by the chic design and natural privacy of the individual suites. Sitting out on the veranda with a plate full of the most mouth-watering local mango is a moment we won’t be forgetting for a while.