Queen's Hotel

The Queen's Hotel occupies a commanding position on the main square beside the lake, directly opposite the Temple of the Tooth entrance. The colonial-era building has been operating as a hotel since 1841 and retains its verandah, high ceilings, and ceiling fans. The bar is one of the most atmospheric places in Kandy for a cold beer or a Lion whisky — the colonial furniture, slow fans, and view of the temple courtyard make it a genuine period experience.

Non-guests can use the bar and the ground-floor restaurant. Prices are hotel-moderate by Sri Lankan standards. The Sunday lunch buffet is popular with expats and local families.

bars and cafes bar architecture
A story
The Queen's Hotel opened in 1841, making it one of the oldest hotels in Sri Lanka. For a century it was the natural base for British planters, administrators, and the occasional journalist — including William Howard Russell of The Times, who stayed here in 1885. The bar has served everyone from colonial governors to heads of state. It weathered two world wars, independence, and the civil war without closing, which is more than can be said for most things in Kandy.

Other places in Bars and Cafes