Ichchankulama Vacations from $1,065

We enjoyed our stay at Kahanda Kanda. It is a small resort and on arrival were shown to our room, the Garden room which was nice on first impression. However we woke to find ants all over our bed which was not acceptable. Housekeeping promptly changed the bedding but within half an hour they were back so we were moved for our second night to the Mango room. There was no comparison between the two rooms as the first had been dark with no view and the second was lighter with a veranda overlooking the tea plantation. We felt happier with the change and it was thankfully ant free! Breakfast was lovely sitting overlooking the jungle and watching wild monkeys swinging through the trees. Food was ok with a set menu or à la carte. We were transferred to the sister hotel KK Beach by tuk tuk for a few nights to finish our holiday and guests have the option of going to the beach resort for the day. It is nice you can alternate between the two.

Absolutely superb…. Excellent location for train station and exploring the old Fort….. would highly recommend.

Loved the access to the beach and pool, and the breakfast! Superb. The staff were fantastic, esp Tharujan who was attentive and friendly. Our room was gorgeous but there was a mildew smell in the bathroom/shower. Staff attempted to address it but the smell did not disappear.

Beautiful location surrounded by stunning nature, with amazing rooms and a breakfast of a very high standard. However, the grounds and overall maintenance do not reflect the level expected from a Relais & Châteaux or Michelin Key property. There were dry leaves and weeds throughout the territory, and several trees appeared infested or dying. For such a large estate, there should clearly be more gardeners and stronger attention to maintenance and cleanliness. The lunch and dinner offerings were also disappointing considering the prices charged. At this level, the quality should match the cost. In particular, dishes prepared with raw tuna were served with the fish appearing brown rather than bright red or pink. As a cook myself, I know this indicates oxidation and a lack of freshness. I was also surprised that the concierge sent me an unsolicited bill via WhatsApp the night before checkout while I was still relaxing and my departure was only the following morning. At high-end properties, the guest experience is usually handled in a far more seamless and discreet manner. I have stayed at several Relais & Châteaux hotels before, and unfortunately this was among the weakest experiences in terms of service and guest handling. I would recommend taking inspiration from the Constance hotel group, particularly Prince Maurice, which understands luxury hospitality and guest relations at a much higher standard.