Family hotels and homes in Panwila

Staying at Kandy Living Home Stay was one of the most memorable parts of my trip to Sri Lanka. The home itself is beautifully designed — clean, cozy, and incredibly comfortable — with thoughtful touches that made me feel right at home. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the hosts are warm and welcoming, always ready to help or share insights about the area. One of the absolute highlights of my stay was the cooking class with Chef Janith. He is not only a talented chef but also a wonderful teacher. With great patience and passion, he guided us through each step of preparing a traditional Sri Lankan meal, sharing stories, tips, and local knowledge along the way. The setup was perfect, and the food we created was absolutely delicious. I left Kandy Living not just with amazing memories, but with new cooking skills, a deeper appreciation for Sri Lankan culture, and the feeling of having been truly cared for. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Kandy — it’s more than just a stay; it’s a full, heartfelt experience.

My husband and I spent four amazing nights at Celestial Hills in Kandy for our honeymoon, and I can honestly say it was the most magical place we’ve ever stayed. From the moment we arrived, we felt like we had stepped into a hidden paradise. We stayed in one of their beautiful villas, and the staff made sure we felt like royalty the entire time. Every night, they decorated our room in a different, special way, knowing we were there for our honeymoon. On Diwali, they truly went above and beyond—lighting candles, creating a stunning Ganesha on our bed with flowers, and leaving a mixture of Indian and Sri Lankan sweets for us. This thoughtful touch meant so much, especially as it was our first Diwali away from home. The villa itself was stunning—spacious with incredible views of the valley and sunrise. Every morning, we woke up to a breathtaking view, watching the sky change from purple to orange. It was like something out of a nature documentary, only better because we were there to experience it firsthand. Our private pool and large balcony made it even more special—we had breakfast there most mornings, taking in the serene atmosphere. Leaving each day for sightseeing felt like we were leaving heaven, but returning in the evening always felt like coming back to it. The service at Celestial Hills is by far the best I’ve ever experienced, and I’ve traveled quite a bit. From the moment we arrived, Andrew, the resident manager, welcomed us with pineapple achar and tea. Throughout our stay, he stayed in contact via WhatsApp, making sure we had everything we needed. No matter what we asked for, it was brought to us within minutes. Andrew truly went out of his way to make our stay perfect. Everyone we met was so warm and welcoming, it didn’t even feel like we were at a hotel—it felt like we were staying with family. The chefs, in particular, were incredible.

Raj and the team keep the villa perfectly clean and tidy. It is well appointed and true to all the photos. The food was great and breakfast was delicious. Raj was very responsive assisting with transport and making plenty of helpful suggestions. We would not hesitate to recommend this lovely property, especially for large family groups. We were 6 adults and everyone had plenty of space and was comfortable. Would happily return.

Lovely owner. We had a great breakfast.

First and foremost was the view, especially from the swimming pool. You can see three mountain ranges. One cannot believe that one is only one hour away from Kandy. Then the staff, was extremely helpful, especially the restaurant staff. I will specially like to pick out Namal. He really went out of his way to make sure everything was cooked properly as my wife had a bad stomach.

The family are wonderful - so friendly and welcoming nothing was too much trouble - the breakfast and dinner were by far the best we have had in Sri Lanka

We loved everything. Very comfortable place to call home for a few days. Everyone was helpful and friendly and our breakfasts were delicious. Rooms were super clean and beds were extremely comfortable. Pool area was also very relaxing. I would highly recommend staying here.

I had a great stay! The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. The breakfast was delicious, and I really appreciated the free refillable water, the lovely pool, and that both the air conditioning and hot water worked perfectly. There’s also a laundry service available. The location is very quiet and peaceful—just a bit further from the city center, but definitely worth it for the relaxing atmosphere. Would highly recommend!

It was a very calm location, with great view! Few minutes away from the city, the bed was very comfortable and the shower was great! A spotless hotel, definitely would visit again !!!

The hosts are friendly and helpful. The guest house is quiet and tranquil with a beautiful garden setting. I will definitely return to take some of the tours to waterfalls offered by the host.