Clingendael
Summary
Located in the blissfully cool Kandyan Hills, Clingendael borders the sweeping greens of Victoria Golf Course and boasts panoramic views of one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful rural landscapes. Featuring just five bedrooms, this wonderfully exclusive hotel epitomises the colonial grandeur of old Sri Lanka- offering its guests a level of service and comfort synonymous with a more refined era. Surrounded by lush, tranquil gardens and overlooking the distant Knuckles mountain range, Clingendael feels like a place lost in time- and yet, in reality it is just forty minutes from Kandy, the country’s second largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As such, Clingendael is an excellent base both for exploring the city itself, or simply for relaxing in the unadulterated beauty of its surrounding countryside.
Highlights
- Admire the serenity of the hotel gardens as you relax by the infinity pool, cocktail in hand
- Play a game on the Victoria Golf Course, rated one of the most scenic golf courses in the world
- Explore the hotel’s jungle trails, thereby experiencing the beauty of the Kandyan Hills
- Spend a day discovering the World Heritage sights of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second largest city
Location
Kandy, Sri LankaBest time to go
Wet season brings heavy rains to the Kandyan Hills between September and mid-December, whilst late spring and early summer can be unbearably hot. As a result, the best time to visit Kandy and the surrounding areas is between January and April.
Our thoughts
Clingendael allows its guests to experience the elegant sophistication of Sri Lanka’s colonial past, whilst also enjoying the benefits of a full range of thoroughly modern amenities. Here, the stresses of normal life seem to dissipate into the fresh mountain air, leaving you free to luxuriate in the pleasures of the hotel’s spectacular setting, its mouth-watering cuisine, and its outstanding service.
- Golf course
- Swimming pool
- Garden
- Croquet set
- In-room massage
- Complimentary wifi
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Airport transfers
Dining |
At Clingendael, you can choose when and where you would like to eat. The possibilities are endless, ranging from picnics in the garden, to intimate meals enjoyed in the privacy of your own suite, to a light lunch in the lounge area overlooking the Koi Pond. The hotel menu features delectable cuisine from all over Sri Lanka, the Orient, and the West- whilst the resident chef is on hand to discuss and accommodate any dietary requirements or preferences. For formal occasions, Cligendael also has a grand dining table that comfortably sits up to fourteen guests.
Clingendael’s five rooms are all individually designed to combine old world charm with the comfort of luxurious modern amenities. All five air-conditioned suites are decorated with fine artwork and antique furniture, intended to mirror the beauty of the hotel’s natural surroundings.
Green Room
Covering 665 square feet of space, this picturesque room features a twin bedroom with a cosy seating area, a walk-in wardrobe, and an adjoining bathroom equipped with a luxurious double shower. The room also boasts a mezzanine floor complete with a daybed and seating area, and its own private terrace overlooking the golf course and the mountain range beyond.
Red Room
This charismatic room offers approximately 900 square feet of space, divided between a large king-sized bedroom, an adjoining bathroom and an expansive mezzanine floor. Red Room furnishings include an antique writing desk, a walk-in wardrobe and dressing table, and a queen-size daybed. The red room’s open-air verandah features a private dining and sitting area, and a spectacular garden and mountain view.
Blue Room
The Blue Room also comes complete with a king-sized bed and a large, comfortable seating area. Featuring similar furnishings to the Red Room, this decadent accommodation option boasts beautiful views overlooking the golf course, and an additional 75 square feet of space.
Four Poster Bedroom
In addition to the four-poster king-size bed for which it is named, this master suite features a spacious lounge room complete with a three-seater sofa, two large armchairs, an antique coffee table and an antique writing desk. An expansive adjoining bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe comprise the rest of its 985 square feet of space. Situated close to the Koi Pond, the Four Poster Bedroom offers exceptional views of the golf course, the swimming pool, and the gardens.
Brown Room
Covering 1,000 square feet of space, the Brown Room incorporates a magnificent king-sized bedroom complete with a comfortable seating area, a walk-in wardrobe, and a bathroom with a separate bathtub and shower. The room’s mezzanine floor features a daybed and an antique writing desk, whilst its private verandah includes a separate dining area and offers stunning vistas of the golf course and the mountains.
- Golfing
- Swimming
- Croquet
- Hiking
- Birdwatching
- Horseriding
- Day trips
- Sightseeing
As a general rule, Clingendael is unable to accommodate children under twelve years of age. However, it is worth contacting the hotel before booking your trip if you are travelling as a family, as exceptions are sometimes made depending upon the hotel’s occupancy levels.