If you ever need to hide out during a nuclear bomb attack, Heritance Kandalama would be a good choice. This is a bunker-style hotel: seven stories of concrete and granite cut into a rock face overlooking the spectacular Kandalama lake. Most of the massive structure is hidden from view--when you arrive at what appears to be ground level reception, you’re actually at the fifth floor.
Once you get past the open air reception, the confusion starts with this masterpiece created by Sri Lanka’s famous architect Geoffrey Bawa.
I only spent one night here but shared the elevators and halls with several guests trying to determine if their roooms were upstairs, or down, or which floor the restaurant was on, or how to find their way back to reception. To me, it felt like I was being temporarily housed in a parkade, its floors stacked like massive layers of a cement cake. About as far from intimate and cosy as you can get.
But then perhaps Bawa’s architectural vision is lost on me.
The upside: stunning views over the lake, scrupulously-maintained rooms of large size(nice stone floor bathrooms with one of the best rain showers I’ve experienced), and very attentive staff.
This is a hotel definitely geared toward large groups and package tourists ---restaurant facilities are primarily buffet, and although there is a fine dining restaurant on the top floor, it was viritually empty the night I stayed.
So if you’re touring the country by group bus, this is a nice choice. If you’re independent, there are better options.

The hotel is gorgeous, and a great base to see Dambulla and Sigiriya. There is lovely surrounding countryside and we saw some wildlife whilst there.
The food is great, and the pool beautiful. Weather for us raining in the hills, even when sunny in Colombo.

My experience at this hotel was incredible. I was traveling alone and they made sure that I was well taken care of. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, the rooms were clean and prepared well, the food was incredible and the design of the hotel was modern and chic. I can't recommend it more!

this is a lovely hotel built within the caves and set amongst the natural beauty of the area, in this respect i think this is a quite unique hotel. unfortunately, this review is based on a one night stay and therefore i'm sure we weren't able to experience all the hotel has to offer.
food was excellent, and really wide selection and everything i tried (all local sri lankan dishes) i can't fault. this applies to both breakfast and dinner.
staff were all friendly, helpful, everything you'd expect from a 5* hotel.
slight negative - this being a particularly expensive hotel i'd expect our toiletries to have been fully filled, which they weren't. and also the toilet roll to be more luxurious than tracing paper (i accept the recycled policy), and bath water hotter than luke warm. i would never normally be so fussy but when you pay so much, the facility level should be appropriate.
i would still recommend.