Planning your stay
Kandy is about three hours by road from Colombo, or a scenic train ride. The city sits around a lake, and the Temple of the Tooth is busiest at the evening puja. During the Esala Perahera, usually in July or August, rooms book up early. Dress modestly for the Temple of the Tooth, covering shoulders and knees, and leave shoes at the entrance. Evenings in Kandy are cooler than on the coast.
Why stay here
Its riverside setting makes it calmer than hotels in the city centre, while the Temple of the Tooth is a short drive away. Evenings by the pool, looking over the Mahaweli, are a highlight, and the hotel is also a practical stop on the way to the hill country or the Cultural Triangle.
Things to do nearby
Visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Palace, Kandy Lake, the Peradeniya gardens or the Pinnawala elephant orphanage.
For more ideas, see things to do in Kandy, or compare all hotels in Kandy.
- Check-in1400 hrs
- Check-out1200 hrs
Accommodation
There are three categories: Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms and Suites.
Superior Rooms
A 40 sqm room with a king size or twin beds, looking over the Mahaweli river or the hotel gardens. It has air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat screen TV with satellite channels, a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and a safe.
Image Credit: Cinnamon Citadel
Deluxe Rooms
These 49 sqm rooms have a king size or twin beds and views of the Mahaweli river and the gardens. They come with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and a safe.
Image Credit: Cinnamon Citadel
Suites
A 70 sqm suite with a king size or twin beds, river views and its own private balcony. It has a bathtub, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and a safe.
Image Credit: Cinnamon Citadel
Facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool overlooking the river.
- Gym.
- Indoor sports.
- Meeting and banqueting facilities.
- Swimming pool
- City location
- Excursion desk
- Wi-Fi
- Kids pool
- Free parking
- Garden
- Scenic inland setting
- Gym and fitness centre
Food and drink
There are several restaurants, bars and cafes. Panorama serves Thai, Chinese, French, Italian and Indian dishes.
- Main buffet restaurant
- A la carte dining
- Room service, 24 hours
- Sri Lankan
- Continental
- Fusion cuisine
- Bar
- Tea lounge or cafe
- Outdoor dining
- Banqueting facilities
- Meeting rooms
- Local and international cuisine
How to Get There
Cinnamon Citadel is on the bank of the Mahaweli river, a few kilometres north-west of central Kandy. From Bandaranaike International Airport it is about 110 km by road, about 3 hours 15 minutes, travelling on the Central Expressway and then the Kandy road through Kegalle.
From central Colombo the journey is about 120 km and takes about 3 hours 15 minutes.
As of October 2026, trains from Colombo run again as far as Peradeniya and Gampola but not into Kandy station itself, so most visitors come by road.
We can book a private air conditioned transfer from the airport or anywhere in Colombo, and the driver can stay with you for the rest of your holiday if you wish. Road times are a guide only and can vary with traffic and weather.