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Elephant Stables

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Historic property with colonial feel
- Temple visits in nearby Kandy
- Picturesque train journeys
- Lovely infinity pool

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Overview

Elephant Stables is a grand, ex-colonial residence with an imposing façade located just outside the bustling and historic lake-side city of Kandy. The one-time owner Sir Cudah Ratwatte, head of the island’s leading aristocratic family, used to keep elephants in the grounds, hence the property’s name. Today, the residence features six elegant bedrooms and one luxurious suite, each boasting colonial inspired decor. The property enjoys stunning views over Kandy and the Knuckles Mountain range and there are tea plantations, rainforests and sacred Buddhist sites to visit nearby. There’s a lovely infinity pool, a living room with a DVD player and classic movies to choose from, and a reading room complete with books about local wildlife, history and architecture. In the early evening, everyone can relax with a drink at the bar. The bartender will happily recommend the hotel’s signature drink, the Elephant Unstable, or mix a cocktail or ‘mocktail’ of your choice.

There are six elegant ‘standard’ bedrooms, five of which are on the upper floor of the Main House, and the other, the Cottage Suite, is set apart in the gardens. This suite is ideal for a family since it has a separate bedroom and living room with two large beds, and it’s close to the pool and gardens. All rooms in the Main House include a four-poster bed, an en-suite bathroom, and modern amenities such as a 42 inch TV with satellite channels, Blue Ray DVD player, and film library. Wi-Fi is also available. The most recent addition to the hotel is the sumptuous Luxury Royal Tented Suite with two bedrooms, a living room, bathroom, and reception area, all of which are beautifully decorated.

Kandy is just ten minutes away by tuk tuk and there are some fascinating and picturesque religious sites to visit, with highlights including the famed Temple of the Tooth and the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue. Scenic train rides to Nuwara Eliya to visit the tea plantations are also a delight, with expert guides on hand to explain the history of the plantations, explain the tea-making process and arrange tea-tastings.

Children of all ages are more than welcome at Elephant Stables. Two of the suites have adjoining rooms, and one has a bunk bed for children. The ample proportions of all rooms mean that family accommodation doesn’t feel overcrowded. Parents are reminded to keep an eye on their children at all times and the swimming pool is conveniently within view of the bar.

Suggested Itineraries for Elephant Stables

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 530 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again

    MissingGodfrey R reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana on 25 September 2023

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

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