Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Sri Lanka / Dambulla / Heritance Kandalama
Heritance Kandalama
Dambulla, Central, Sri Lanka · Heritance · Accessible Luxury
Geoffrey Bawa wrapped this hotel around a Dambulla cliff between 1991 and 1994, so the jungle could grow back over the 211-acre estate, Sigiriya on the horizon and Kandalama Reservoir at its feet. It was the first hotel in the world to receive LEED Green Building certification and the first in Asia to be Green Globe 21-certified. One hundred fifty-two rooms, the Kachchan infinity pool looking at the lake, three outdoor pools in all.
- 152 rooms
- Opened 1994
- Neighborhood: Kandalama
- Architect: Geoffrey Bawa
About Heritance Kandalama
- Geoffrey Bawa designed the cliff-wrap hotel, completed in 1994, as tropical modernism meant to be reclaimed by jungle.
- First hotel in the world to receive LEED certification, and the first in Asia certified Green Globe 21.
- Kachchan infinity pool looks at Kandalama Lake; three outdoor pools sit on the 211-acre estate.
- World Travel Awards named it Sri Lanka's Leading Wedding Hotel in 2025.
History
Geoffrey Bawa designed Heritance Kandalama between 1991 and 1994, wrapping the hotel around a cliff face overlooking Kandalama Reservoir and Sigiriya so the jungle could reclaim the building. It became the first hotel in the world to receive LEED Green Building certification and the first in Asia to be Green Globe 21-certified. The 152-room house sits on a 211-acre estate.
The setting
10 km from Golden Temple of Dambulla.
Restaurants and bars
- Kanchana Restaurant — Restaurant · Sri Lankan
- Cave Dinner at Heritance Kandalama — Restaurant
Amenities
- Kachchan infinity pool overlooking Kandalama Lake
- Six Senses Spa with indigenous treatments
- Three restaurants including the award-winning Kanchana buffet
- Eco-park and nature trails within the 211-acre estate
- 24-hour fitness center and three swimming pools
- Meeting and conference facilities for events
Awards
- Sri Lanka's Leading Wedding Hotel 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
Open Heritance Kandalama in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.