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Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.5
#16 of 95 hotels in Nuwara Eliya
Location
4.6
Cleanliness
4.3
Service
4.3
Value
4.1
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Grand Hotel, an Iconic Landmark of Sri Lanka situated in the high elms of Nuwara Eliya (known as "Little England" or "Switzerland of the East"), counts on a heritage exceeding 131 years. Enchanted with the tranquility and beauty of the salubrious climes of Nuwara Eliya, Sir Edward Barnes, Governor of Ceylon during the era from 1830 to 1850 built the Barnes Hall at his own expense, which now stands as the legendary "Grand Hotel" Whilst maintaining the British Colonial architecture, the Hotel has evolved to resonate palatial grandeur blended with exceptional hospitality that has surpassed the expectations of many a visitor.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Park View
Centrally Located
Languages Spoken
English, Arabic, Hindi, Indonesian and 3 more
Location
Grand Hotel Road, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
3,611 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Nestled in a scenic locale, The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya garners appreciation for its attentive service and well-kept facilities that resonate with colonial elegance. However, some guests have called out the need for modern updates, particularly in the rooms and bathrooms.
Despite the charming atmosphere and live music, the value proposition is questioned by many travelers who find the pricing steep for the experience offered. While the hotel's historical charm and dining options are highlights, the mismatch between cost and perceived quality seems to be a recurring theme in guest feedback.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Nostalgic
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Opulent
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If you really want to experience hospitality at it's best, then please make sure you visit The Grand atleast once whenever you are in Nuwara Eliya. The property is around 170 years old and takes pride in this fact. They have maintained the old charm very well and a great examples of it is the snooker room inside the hotel. The room is the biggest in the entire place and still has 100 years old stuff from the time of British colonial time.
We reached at about 3pm in the afternoon and to my surprise, the duty manager Sasanka along with Pushpamali were more than forthcoming to greet us. They made our check-in smooth and quick so that we could go and rest after a long journey. Oh! We also got half board upgrade and it was one of the sweetest gestures by the hotel staff.
Our room was nothing less than a dream and the arrangements done by the hotel staff were heartwarming ( we were on our honeymoon so they made extra efforts to make it look beautiful). We took a quick nap, post which we decided to go for a spa. Wulan and Nane were our masseuses and made those 60 minutes so relaxing and peaceful for us. After this, we took a quick tour of the hotel and met Mr. Shakir, Mr. Chintanam, Mr. Sanjeewa and the GM Mr. Refhan Razeen. The staff and administration at The Grand is commendable, they're extremely friendly and cooperative.
We tried the Indian restaurant of the Grand and if you're someone who loves Indian cuisine then please do visit and try their food.
Given an option, I'd definitely go there again and would highly recommend everyone who plans to go to Nuwara Eliya for vacation. Go for the location, the hospitality and the experience all of which is made special by the lovely staff of the hotel.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan Razeen, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Oct 19, 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for visiting Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us on TripAdvisor. We are delighted to read your sentiments with regard to your recent visit to our hotel and thank you for the recommendations given. We are looking forward to your next visit and assure you of our superior service at all times. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you are interested in plants then ask for Senila in the tourist office. He was excellent and really made our excursion worthwhile. The rooms are exactly the right temperature. The beds/duvets are perfect. The room has an electric fire to add extra warmth if necessary and lovely large blankets, so you can lie on top of the luxurious soft bed with a lovely soft blanket on top. The choice of food and extensive buffets were just overwhelming in their creativity and range. The wine was a very reasonable price, cheaper than even the 'best' hotels in Kandy. The Thai restaurant is also excellent, but get there early as it is in great demand. Appropriate clothing should be worn or a sarong to cover legs or shoulders will be given out. There is a small restaurant at the begining of the entrance to the hotel which is perfect for lunch, but again in great demand. We will definitely book up again for next year
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan R, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Feb 9, 2020
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you very much for your positive review on TripAdvisor regarding your experience at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya. We are glad to hear that our staff and services met your needs and expectations. The Grand Hotel looks forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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We stayed at this property for 2 days on the cultural triangle trip and its a truly quirky hotel. It is billed as very British and as a Brit, it was a Britain I can neither recall nor remember! Our room, 312 overlooked the front and was fine. It was a little dirty in the bathroom and this was reported. It's a quirky hotel and I encourage you to explore its rooms and you'll discover interesting antiques and pictures from by-gone days. There is nothing in your room explaining where places are, so go and explore, its worth it! Beware of plenty of uneven steps but its 150 years old and adds to the quaintness. There are masses of staff although I'm not quite sure what they all do! The bar is very small for a hotel this size and due to a tour group filling the bar we had a drink in the piano lounge but no one came to ask if we wanted another. We found this throughout Srii Lanka that the training of staff, especially drinks staff needs to be encouraged. The gym is small but adequate and there is a nice pool however it is indoor. One suggestion for the hotel is to get some comfortable outdoor furniture. The weather was beautiful when we were there and we wanted to relax and read but the chairs are so very hard and uncomfortable. There is very little to do in NE so on nice days a comfortable outside area I'm sure would be appreciated by guests. There is adjacent to the bar a snooker room with 3 full size tables and I'd encourage you to have a go with their resident snooker expert! Where the hotel excels is the food. After 10 days of buffets, mainly curry we went first night to the International Restaurant and alas to report had a burger and it was great! The second night we 'discovered' the Thai restaurant, round and about and down some stairs passing lots of interesting photos and memorabilia. There is a small bar by the Thai, there that they keep a secret too! The food here was exceptional. I do not believe I have had a better Green curry anywhere, including Thailand!
We were up early one morning and had a breakfast box for the trip to Horton Plain. This was perfectly acceptable. We had one breakfast in the buffet restaurant and that was a very good standard too.
So in concluding, its a quaint and quirky hotel, accept not everything will probably quite work properly and go with the flow and definitely stay in the hotel for eating.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan R, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Feb 10, 2020
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you very much for visiting Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us on TripAdvisor. We are delighted to read your sentiments with regard to your recent visit to our hotel and thank you for the recommendations given. We sincerely apologies for the inconvenience caused and we have taken note of the concerns raised and will ensure that the same is shared with the team. We are looking forward to your next visit and assure you of our superior service at all times. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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29/12 lead up to Xmas, it was a very busy hotel. Interesting British themed hotel was not what i expected in Sri Lanka. Huge place that comes with a lot of style and heritage. Staff were polite and welcoming, and you understand the full sense of granduer once you go to the room, but once you reach the room, the grandeur stops there. I noticed most of the beds in Sri Lanka, were of all same density, that is just hard or very firm. The room was quite small which is fine, but it was also quite dark if the blinds are not open. Rooms overlooked an amazing courtyard, the bathrooms were quite old style and you have to be careful when showering being the dual bath and shower with a curtain if not done properly you end up with a very wet floor. Fixtures in the bathroom and room were quite old which i guess goes in with the old Brit style. The restaurants, are aplenty with options that i learnt later extends outside the hotel, there is a Sri Lankan restaurant just outside the hotel road entry that is heavily busy to the point we ended up sitting in the neighbouring cake/tea section to fit in, service was pretty poor as we had to wait nearly 20 minutes to get any attention to make an order. The food was okay, and probably just above the quality of the restaurant in the hotel itself. There are not a huge amount of options outside either, even though venturing into town is walking distance, to get some local food, at least there are options. I wouldn't recommend the continental food court down the road that covers various continental meals, i chose the malaysian chow kwei tao and it was nothing like the picture or what it should have tasted or looked like. Given the food court was empty, i assume that was also a reference to the quality. Going back to the hotel breakfast, it was one of the best that I had during my holiday, the variety and quality was definitely top notch. Overall a pretty good experience, the pool was great and the gym was even better, they have a personal trainer there i'm not sure if it was free, i prefer to workout on my own, but the other benefit is the sauna which needs to be prebooked. They also have a day spa which my partner went to and said it was very good quality. The masseuse knew what she was doing, took a last minute booking even though the day schedule was full, the prices were pretty expensive but expected at a mid-high range hotel, but at least good for those wishing to spoil themselves or have a relaxing moment away from the kids.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan R, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Feb 10, 2020
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you very much for visiting Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us on TripAdvisor. We are delighted to read your sentiments with regard to your recent visit to our hotel and thank you for the recommendations given. We sincerely apologies for the inconvenience caused and we have taken note of the concerns raised and will ensure that the same is shared with the team. We are looking forward to your next visit and assure you of our superior service at all times. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Just had the most amazing stay at the Grand, Nuwara eliya. This hotel is so very kept irrespective of being one of the oldest in Sri Lanka. Attention to detail was on the spot.
Staff was super nice and accomodating. Hotel has enough things to keep my toddler occupied during our one day stay with pool, outdoor play ground, indoor play area and beautiful gardens.
Only let down was the size of the room. Which is in the smaller size of the average hotel. But to top it off all furnishings were the best of comfort.
Food has a large variety and each is super delicious.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan Razeen, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Oct 19, 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for visiting Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us on TripAdvisor. We are delighted to read your sentiments with regard to your recent visit to our hotel and thank you for the recommendations given. We are looking forward to your next visit and assure you of our superior service at all times. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I just returned after a two night stay at my favourite hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Been here over 20 times but i always look forward for my next visit. The hotel is well maintained although the tourism industry is going through a difficult period of time. Excellent friendly staff. They always make you feel like home. Love the Coffee bar and the Indian restaurant managed by Grand Hotel. Unbeatable buffet breakfast. They provide a wide range of international and local food. You can find everything you need in that fine spread. To keep it short The Grand Hotel is the best in Nuwara Eliya in terms of the lovely Service the staff provide, Location, Cleanliness in rooms and in all public areas, Super Excellent food on offer, Beautifully landscaped garden for complete relaxation and Not forgetting the "The Grand BAR" which offers a wide selection of foreign and local liquor and the heated Swimming pool. Also I must mention that the hotel is taking extra precautions to control the spread of Covid-19 by providing hand sanitisers in all public areas, hand washing bays with soap and hand driers, temperature checks etc etc. Ample safe free parking too.If the budget suits you, do not think twice 😉.
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan Razeen, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Oct 26, 2021
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya on TripAdvisor. It is truly encouraging for me and my team to receive such positive feedback from our valued guests. We will be delighted to welcome you back to our hotel, and let us know of your plans to visit Nuwara Eliya in the future. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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We were extremely thrilled the way we were received by the hotel, The staff was very friendly and attentive. Super food prepared for your taste. Spotlessly clean hotel. Special thanks to Refhan, the GM , Sasanka - Manager Front Office. We had a rare opportunity of a guided tour in the State of the Art Kitchen, Hats off to Chef Priyantha for maintaining the kitchen as it is.
We myself & my husband observed that in the restaurant as we used the plates etc they were cleared within a second. The staff was very caring and efficient. There were so many families with little kids and I noticed the way staff attended to their needs. The garden looks absolutely beautiful, We had a very pleasant stay at Grand in a grand level.
Thank you once again for your warm welcome & amazing hospitality.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan Razeen, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Oct 19, 2020
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you very much for your positive review on TripAdvisor regarding your experience at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya. We are glad to hear that our staff and services met your needs and expectations. The Grand Hotel looks forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Grand hotel is a landmark in Nuwaraeliya since from long days. From the arrival till departure the service offer was remarkable. We were guided throughout the hotel by a guard and were pleased about it. They have few restaurants- Grand Indian, Thai, all day dining, coffee bar, tea lounge where you can enjoy a high-tea. Our favorite was biriyani from grand Indian and next to try is Grand Thai which has good reviews. This iconic hotel maintain its value in a great manner inside and outside of it. It maintains a garden where you can stay in relax. The location is heart of Nuwaraeliya and it’s walking distance to Victoria garden, Gregory lake where you have a speed boat ride and a walk. Overall a nice experience staying at Grand Hotel.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan Razeen, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Oct 19, 2020
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya on TripAdvisor. It is truly encouraging for me and my team to receive such positive feedback from our valued guests. We will be delighted to welcome you back to our hotel, and let us know of your plans to visit Sri Lanka in the future. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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This is what we had booked for our 2 day stay based on the highly reccommeded reviews online and Blog Articles from fellow travellers .
With an open mind we decided to judge after our stay . On day 1 With a drop in temperature we could see most of the late check in guests huddled in the parlour sipping on their welcom drink same as us . There was something very homely about the parlour room . A walk is highly recommended in the Garden within the hotel premesis . The guest coordinator in charge upgraded us to a family suite of 2 bed room instead of providing two separate suite rooms , which turned out to be even better . The view happened to be the front part of the hotel where you could see the guests walking in and also the wide garden which boasts of the Gigantic Bull Bay tree with Huge white flowers . Next day was pongal and every guest was welcomed with the hosts claid in traditional ethnic attire , The women in Beautiful sarees with sweet smelling flowers in their hair and vermillion on their forehead where as the men in a cotton Half sleeve shirt and a lungi . No complains about the breakfast . Every dish off the counter both multicuisine and the local cusine was excellent . The courteous waiters make frequent rounds asking "tea sir / tea madam" thus keeping you well caffinated for your day :) As for places to visit close by you can definitely go for the speed boat ride , shop for fresh fruits at a nearby fruit vendor hub and also pay a short visit to the age old post office . We lunched at a Thai restaurant (again within the hotel premesis) Authentic food . Must try the sticky rice and mango dessert . As for the main course most of the items are uniquely flavoured so your are bound to enjoy (I suggest you Lunch / dine atleast once here )
the spa section is decent (I would'nt say exceptional )any how the masseuse here are well experienced . The indoor pool is the highlight of this place. Soak in and relax while listening to live classical music played on the intrument flute and sitar .
Again based on the online reviews we orderd indian food from the near by retaurant (which I believe belongs to the hotel ) called the The Grand - coffee bar . Bad experience :( the biryani was half cooked with semi boiled rice and the roti was too rubbery , Butter chicken was okay to eat . Make sure you dine within the hotel or at a different place .
OVERALL love everything about this place . The aged furniture to the service and hospitality provided by the hotel staff . A warm and charming place at the right location . NOTE: They provide accomodation for your driver / staff /help .
I have attached few pictures of the hotel premesis and also the room.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Every room and service is good here .
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan R, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Feb 9, 2020
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya on TripAdvisor. It is truly encouraging for me and my team to receive such positive feedback from our valued guests. We will be delighted to welcome you back to our hotel, and let us know of your plans to visit Sri Lanka in the future. Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It is grand hotel with more than 130 years, amazed with how they operate the hotel with cleanliness, warm service and additional service like fishing, trekking... Like the food here and the decoration of buffet, amazing buffet. A plus is music artists played all day even breakfast, lunch or dinner. Hotel premises is a unique point as all the huge trees and grass areas around. Only wooden furniture in the room need to be upgraded or fixed as it's getting old and old
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Refhan R, General Manager at The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
Responded Feb 9, 2020
Dear Valued Guest, We are delighted to read your feedback with regard to your recent visit to The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya. While appreciating the positive endorsements, we have taken note of the concerns raised and will ensure that the same is shared with the team. We do hope that you will visit us again in the near future and look forward to serving you once again! Yours Sincerely Refhan Razeen General Manager Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
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Dear Anil
Thank you very much for your inquire about The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya.
Full double will be 36000/- LKR for one nights.
for more information please contact resevations +94522222881
Thank you
There are more places to choose from in the Nuwara Eliya area.
PRICE RANGE
$207 - $262 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
grand hotel nuwara eliya
LOCATION
Sri LankaCentral ProvinceNuwara Eliya
NUMBER OF ROOMS
154
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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