‘Devon Rest’ Kandy’s newest City Hotel

‘The hotel can arrange these guided excursions on prior request. Religious tours to Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Embekka Devalaya and Lankathilaka Viharaya could also be arranged’

Some travellers prefer to stay at a hotel within the city limits, but some prefer to enjoy the tranquility by the countryside. It is rare to have a hotel in the city limits with an absolute calm and peaceful environment.
The newest addition to Kandy’s fast growing hospitality industry, ‘Devon Resort’ is the perfect haven for those with time to explore Kandyan warmth hospitality and diverse cultures. Located in the heart of the City off Sangaraja Mawatha, by the waters of Kandy Lake, ‘Devon Rest’ was opened on 1st March, 2024. Built on elevated levels, ‘Devon Rest’ offers uninterrupted vistas of Kandy Lake, the sacred Dalada Maligawa and the surrounding hills, including Udawatta kele and Knuckles mountain range as a backdrop.
Though the hotel is just ten minutes’ walk from ‘Dalada Maligawa’ and Kandy’s main shopping area, it offers an absolute tranquil setup for travellers, who are really looking for ‘peace of mind’. The newly opened ‘Devon Rest’ boasts of having 26 luxury rooms including two suites – ‘Sapphire’ and ‘Emerald’, ten twin deluxe rooms with garden view, ten double deluxe rooms with lake view and four family rooms. It offers a luxurious and personalised experience to its guests.

Owned and operated by ‘Canora Hotels’ of the ‘Devon Group’ under the direction of the Managing Director Gamini Weeraratne, ‘Devon Rest’ was first opened in 1991  to cater to the growing demand of banquet and basic accommodation facilities.
The hotel was partly shut down during the Covid pandemic and it re-opened in March, with a new look as a 26-room property with the new concept, Luxury City Hotel under the group’s signature hotel Grand Kandyan Hotel (GKH).
‘The Devon Rest has gone through a total  refurbishment programme and has now waived its old banquet facilities for luxury accommodation with eye catching interior design and have introduced several new luxuries with up-to-date amenities; said Director, Ameesha Weeraratne.  
All rooms at ‘Devon Rest’ are fitted with a flat-screen LED TV, mini-fridges, safe, tea/coffee making facilities, king size spacious beds, en-suite bathrooms fitted with all luxury amenities and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. 
One of the notable features of the hotel is its art gallery-like atmosphere. The elevated ‘Sky Deck’ is designed as a star studded space gallery for special diners. Apart from ‘Sky Deck’, a roof top open-air space is available for family get-togethers, corporate events and special night events providing a birds-eye view of the Kandy city by Night.
‘‘Sky Deck’ is designed for honeymooners to feel they are roaming through space. We provide special butler service for romantic events with a special menu’ said Sunil Makehelwala, the Manager of the ‘Devon Rest’.

The main attraction of the hotel is its roof top area with outdoor dining facilities that could cater to around 50 guests. The refurbished hotel meets the new hospitality standard with several new features such as family rooms, non-smoking rooms, facilities for disabled guests and modern dining options.
‘Devon Rest’ prioritises the food and beverage experience, offering two different dining areas. The main ‘Noved Restaurant’, creates a soothing atmosphere, which specialises in authentic Sri Lankan, Indian and Italian cuisine. For coffees, chocolates and pastries and English and French delicacies ‘The Café’ offers a wide range of bakery items.
‘Actually cuisine is one of our main driving forces. Many comment about our cuisine. From simple Kandyan village meals to star class dining and Sri Lankan culinary experiences from the hill to the sea are included in our menu’ Sunil added.
Chef Karavita under the supervision of Executive Chef Krishantha Ekanayake of the Grand Kandyan Hotel prepare daily menus for guests.
‘The menus, give our guests a selection of blended traditional Sri Lankan foods or some local cuisines to international fine dining with a bit of Sri Lankan touch to satisfy their taste buds. Fusion cuisine and seafood fares too are popular items on the menu’ said Manager Sunil.