Why the King of Kandy kept coming back here.
Chaaya Citadel Kandy is constructed in the place of the former Dunuvila Wallauwa (The ancestral home of the Dunivila family). Dunuvila, one of the King's Ministers, lived here with his extended family.

And, as the legend goes the King of Kandy would make it a point to break journey at this very location whenever he passed by in his boat. It is said that he did not simply stop to rest, but to bathe in the river and spend some time at the Wallauwa.

An old family photograph of the original Wallauwa still hangs at the entrance to the hotel.
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The legend doesn't tell us what attracted the King to this very spot again and again. We can only imagine. But the fact that the Sovereign kept coming back is possibly the same reason why guests keep coming back to Chaaya Citadel. For rest and rejuvenation. For romance and adventure. For nature and inspiration.

On the historic road that leads from Colombo to Kandy, 160 Km from Colombo, just before the bustling Kandy town stands the perfect destination for naturalists, culturists and romantics - Chaaya Citadel Kandy. It is a tribute to the natural citadel that was Senkadagala.

Sweeping green hills, the longest river in the country, misty mornings and the fresh outdoors, are just a few things that naturally come together here to make the perfect holiday. Just 2 1/2 hours from the Sri Lanka's Capital City Colombo, Chaaya Citadel Kandy has reinvented itself taking into account the needs of holidaymakers around the world. Replete with a sense of history, serenity and majesty, the hotel offers guests the opportunity to experience the amazing Kandyan history, the culture and the arts that play a big role in the lives of the Sri Lankans. Five Experience Packages are designed to shower guests with a wealth of experience. The Chaaya chain of hotels, setting high standards, has a reputation for operating impressive hotels and resorts in the region and has been singled out for its efforts.

Chaaya Citadel Kandy, nestled in the hills of Sri Lanka, has received three ISO certifications - ISO 22000; 2005 for Food Safety Management, ISO 14001 for its environment and OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety. 'Chaaya' means 'Reflection' and it is time to reflect on a holiday experience here!
Witness Kandy as it continues to make history.
The Kandyan kingdom, located 488 meters above sea level, is the last stronghold of the Sri Lankan monarchy and to this day, the city stands strong in the knowledge of this proud legacy. From 1590, for 225 years, Kandy was the Capital city, the kingdom of the island and home to the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The kingdom held strong against invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch in the 16th and 17th centuries, respectively, and even against the British in the 19th century.
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This glorious rule however, came to an end when its chieftains submitted to the British colonizers in 1815. In spite of the turmoil and change, Kandy has always preserved its function as the religious capital of Sri Lanka and a revered pilgrimage for those who practice the original form of Buddhism.

It is difficult to imagine a place that has more variety to offer visitors than Kandy. It is the centre of traditional Sri Lankan culture. Visitors flock here to visit the 'Dalada Maligawa', the temple of the Tooth Relic; to witness the 'Nuwara Perehera', probably Asia's biggest and most colorful parade featuring over 100 elephants; to explore the many historic temples and shrines; to understand the Kandyan architecture, arts and craftsmanship; to enjoy world famous Sri Lankan tea amid sprawling tea plantations; to play a game of golf in the hills and to delight in the pleasant Kandyan climate.

These and much more amazing tapestry of qualities define the city's character. There is no better time than the present to re-live the glorious past at Chaaya Citadel Kandy.