Elephant stables is a boutique heritage property, set on a hillside outside the town of Kandy, Central Sri Lanka. Built in colonial style, it was originally an ancestral home of a Ceylonese nobleman that was transformed into a hotel and named after the many elephants that were housed in its surrounding plantation. Located just 15-minutes’ drive from the centre of Kandy, it is perfectly placed to explore the rich history and culture of the hill country.
There are just five bedrooms in the main house of the Elephant Stables and a separate luxury tent (cottage) in the garden. All the rooms are well-appointed with 4 poster beds, decorated in minimalistic, old-world colonial style, with hand-carved wooden decorations and opulent four-poster beds. All rooms have large windows offering sweeping views of the hills and spacious bathrooms with modern amenities. There is also a very secluded Sir David Lean bungalow available.
The in-house restaurant at the Elephant Stables, headed by Master Chef Indika, serves modest but delicious meals. For relaxation there is a lovely swimming pool with views of the surrounding hills and a yoga teacher is available upon request. The hotel has a collection of several restored vintage cars, available for guests to undertake city tours. Mobile phones with local sim cards are also available (free of charge) while taking day excursions so guests can keep in contact with the hotel.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenLibraryOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay The Elephant Stables has only 6 rooms and a cottage. All display colonial flavour with hand crafted furniture, four-poster beds and chic designer elements. Five rooms are located on the upper floor, two of which have a wraparound veranda while others have large windows overlooking the garden. There is a separate Cottage Room with a capacity of 4 persons and an 85sqm luxurious tented suite. There's also a secluded Sir David Lean bungalow available, a short drive from the main hotel.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at the Elephant Stables. There are three suites that have ample space with additional beds for children. These include a fabulous cottage, which is close to the main bungalow and overlooks the back garden and swimming pool. The Luxury Tent contains two Single 4 Poster Beds and another extra bed can be easily set up in the Living Room. It is fully air-conditioned and comes with plush ensuite bathroom.
Dine The inhouse restaurant at the Elephant Stables serves a fusion of continental and traditional Sri Lankan dishes served in the dining room or in the gardens. Guests have a choice of full English, Continental or a traditional Sri Lankan ‘Hopper’ breakfast. Light lunches include sandwiches, toasties and pastas while there is a wide choice for dinner, which may include a selection of 10 different Sri Lanka curries with rice, or a three-course Western set menu with some Thai dishes.
Relax There is an outdoor swimming pool at the Elephant Stables with sweeping views across the hillsides around Kandy, with a shallow area for children. The house has a living room with a fireplace that is lit on chilly nights and an attractive small library lined with prints of British seaside resorts from the 1930s. There are two restored vintage cars available for guests who may like to visit the Kandy town. And, a Spa tent for Ayurvedic Massage with yoga teacher, available upon request.
Experience Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka is an attractive tourist destination. The Elephant Stables is a short 15 min drive to the Kandy town, famous for the Temple of the Tooth and the Old Town Area, a Unesco heritage site. Other sites of interest include Peradeniya Gardens and Its Orchid Houses, Bird Watching and Nature Trails at Udawattekelle Sanctuary. Further afield are Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress and Dambulla cave temple both located in the north.
Location Elephant stables is located just 15-minutes from the centre of Kandy, on a hill overlooking the city.
Getting there Fly into Colombo, From there Elephant Stables is approximately 2-hours drive away. Alternatively, take a Cinnamon Air flight to Kandy and drive from the airport.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. However, it barely gets unbearably hot in the Hill Country. The months of December to April are probably the best time to visit, when days are warm (around 28C) with cool nights. During the monsoon season from October to December you can expect heavy downpours. June to September are the driest months here when there’s almost no rain at all.
Destination
Central, Sri Lanka
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