Hunas Falls Hotel, Elkaduwa: A Tranquil Retreat in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands
Luxury Amidst Nature in Matale, Sri Lanka
Located in the misty hills of Elkaduwa in Sri Lanka’s Matale District, Hunnas Falls Hotel is a gem hidden away. Standing above the towering Hunnas Falls, this hotel is not just a peaceful haven for honeymooners and nature enthusiasts but also a home that radiates balance between nature and contemporary comfort. Surrounded by the green slopes of the Hunnasgiriya Mountain Range, tea plantations, and a peaceful man-made lake, the hotel offers its guests an unforgettable experience that is a blend of luxury and nature, adventure, and cultural heritage.
A Breathtaking Destination in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands
Hunnas Falls Hotel is roughly 26 kilometers from Kandy and 20 kilometers from Matale, so it is within reach but secluded. The journey to the hotel will take one through tea plantations, small towns, and heavily forested terrain, generating excitement and anticipation. The estate lies above an elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level, giving the visitor a refreshing and cool climate all year round.
The hotel is built on the edge of a cliff with a continuous view of Hunnas Falls, a stunning 48-meter waterfall cascading down the hillside of rock only a couple of hundred meters away from the hotel. The soothing roar of water rushing down and sight of mist creeping over hills make for a peaceful environment, ideal for relaxation and spiritual revival.
Architecture and Design
The Hunnas Falls Hotel architecture is a celebration of simplicity and elegance. The hotel seamlessly blends with nature using natural material like stone, wood, and terracotta tiles. The spacious windows and open verandas in each room provide stunning views of the Knuckles Mountain Range, the waterfall, and the lush hotel gardens. The interior combines Sri Lankan cultural sensibilities with the comforts of modernity, using wooden furniture, handmade crafts, and local artwork.
The hotel features an exquisite landscaped garden with miniature bridges, blooming shrubs, neat grassy lawns, and a man-made lake with fish and ducks. Tourists can walk along stone pathways amidst the gardens or relax on benches and enjoy the peace and fresh mountain air.
Accommodation and Amenities
Hunnas Falls Hotel offers several types of accommodation including deluxe rooms, suites, and mountain-facing rooms. The rooms are designed to guarantee privacy, comfort, and proximity to nature. Most of the rooms have: Private balconies or terraces, En-suite hot water bathrooms, Wi-Fi connection, Room service, Satellite television
Some suites also have jacuzzis or private dining rooms, ideal for honeymooners or celebratory use. The combination of luxury amenities and nature views makes each stay a memorable and rejuvenating one.
The hotel itself also features: An outdoor infinity pool with valley view, A restaurant that offers both Sri Lankan and international cuisine, Spa treatments and wellness activities, Conference rooms for corporate functions or retreats, Guided nature walk and hiking tours
Dining Experience
The hotel restaurant is a must feature of any stay. Offering al fresco and inside dining, the scenery is simply stunning with views over the mountains and falls. The cuisine is fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a fusion of Sri Lankan, Asian, and Western food.
Highlights: Plain rice and local vegetable curry, Fresh fish and seafood from the lake, Garden herbs herbal teas, Homemade sweets like treacle curd
Candlelit dinners on the garden or patio picnics can be arranged at special request, giving the experience a romantic or family-oriented theme.
Nature and Activities
Hunnas Falls Hotel provides travelers not only with accommodation but a nature lifestyle. The environment surrounding it is ideal for nature walks, bird-spotting, and phtography. Some of the activities provided are:
Hiking to Hunnas Falls: A short hike but picturesque from the hotel to the foot of the waterfall.
Hiking in the Knuckles Range: Guided trips to nearby nature walks across tea estates, pine forests, and mountain paths.
Bird Watching: The property is home to many endemic bird species such as the Sri Lankan junglefowl and Layard’s parakeet.
Botanical Tours: Explore the range of medicinal plants and rare trees on the estate and surrounding hills.
Other visitors who seek less challenging activities can make use of yoga practice, reading a book at the reading lounge, or quiet meditation in the garden.
Ecological and Cultural Sensitivity
Hunnas Falls Hotel is firm in its dedication to eco-tourism and greenery. The local farming communities are assisted by the hotel through buying their produce and employing village villagers from Elkaduwa and surrounding areas. The hotel even has its own organic herb and vegetable garden that is used by the hotel kitchen.
As regards sustainability, the hotel is committed to: Minimizing the use of plastic, Composting and waste handling, Water recycling facilities, Solar energy utilization for lighting and heating.
In addition, the hotel also conducts cultural activities on a periodic basis, including Kandyan dance performances, traditional music, and Sri Lankan arts and crafts workshops, treating the guests to a glimpse of the island’s rich heritage.
Weddings and Honeymoons
Because of its romantic setting, Hunnas Falls Hotel is also the preferred destination for couples for destination weddings and honeymoon getaways. Its waterfall view, tranquil gardens, and warm ambiance give it the ideal setting for couples who would prefer to celebrate their special occasions in intimate luxury. Wedding packages typically include flower decorations, custom-prepared menus, cultural drummers and dancers, and customized photo shoots.
Best Time to Visit
Hunnas Falls Hotel is always available all year round owing to its highland climate. The most ideal time to go would be from December to April, when the weather is clean and dry conditions prevail. The monsoon period of May–July and October–November makes lush greenery and a stronger waterfall but witnesses rains and misting as well, which numerous tourists find charming in its own right.
Hunnas Falls Hotel is not just a hotel she is an experience that allows one to reconnect to serenity, to nature, and to the splendor of Sri Lanka’s central hills. With its perfect blend of luxury, natural splendor, and cultural hospitality, it is a shining example of sustainable hospitality. Whether you’re nature enthusiast, honeymooning couple, holidaying family, or tranquility-chasing visitor, Hunnas Falls Hotel is an escape from the chaos of life that’s simply unforgettable.
A stay here is not just an overnight it’s an escape to a world where the waterfall hums, mountains rustle, and the soul relaxes.
To visit Hunnas Falls Hotel in the Matale District of Sri Lanka, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get there, whether you’re traveling from Kandy, Matale, or Colombo:
By Private Vehicle
From Kandy (Approx. 26 km, 1–1.5 hours):
- Head towards Wattegama via A26 or A9 highway.
- From Wattegama, take the road to Elkaduwa (B413).
- Continue uphill for about 7–8 km until you reach Hunnasgiriya.
- Follow signs to Hunnas Falls Hotel or ask locals for directions to the waterfall.
- There is a designated viewing area near the hotel, and the waterfall is visible from both the road and nearby walking paths.
From Matale (Approx. 20 km, 45–60 minutes):
- Take the B274 Matale-Elkaduwa Road.
- At Elkaduwa junction, take the road uphill toward Hunnasgiriya.
- Drive until you see signs for Hunnas Falls or the Hunnas Falls Hotel.
From Colombo (Approx. 140 km, 4–5 hours):
- Use the Colombo–Kandy Road (A1).
- Upon reaching Kandy, follow the steps listed above from Kandy to Hunnas Falls.
By Public Transport
From Kandy:
- Take a bus to Wattegama from the Kandy main bus station.
- From Wattegama, take a local bus or tuk-tuk to Elkaduwa.
- From Elkaduwa, you can walk or hire a tuk-tuk to reach the waterfall.
From Matale:
- Take a bus to Elkaduwa (infrequent—check local schedules).
- From Elkaduwa, take a tuk-tuk or walk to the falls.
Tuk-tuks are available from Wattegama or Matale town and are a convenient way to get directly to the falls.
Last Leg (If Walking):
From Elkaduwa, it’s about 1.5–2 km uphill to reach the waterfall if you’re walking. It’s a scenic but steep path, so wear proper shoes.
- Entrance Fee: None to visit the public view, but the Hunnas Falls Hotel may charge for access to private viewpoints.
Map of Hunas Falls Hotel
