I booked q room at the Olde Empire to enjoy the famous Esala Perahera, and I stayed there for the last 3 days of the 2008 festival, on a bed and breakfast basis. The hotel is ideally placed -- over a ginger beer ( no alcohol during the perahera) on the front balcony one can see the tooth temple to... more

Arriving in Kandy quite late, I headed straight to the Old Empire, mainly for it's perfect location and also because my guidebook assured that it was a cheap option. A warm welcome was given by a lovely husband and wife team. The staff were exceptionally friendly. I read the bad review about this place and I was shocked? This must... more

We came to stay at the Old Empire for one or two days and ended up staying for one and a half weeks! I shared one of the front rooms with a friend and was delighted with the charming antique furniture, the flower arrangements (real flowers!), wooden floors and clean bathroom. You get used to the cold showers after the... more

I am backpacking round asia and have found myself in Kandy for over a week waiting for a visa for India. I checked into the Olde Empire which is right next to the entrance to the Sacred Tooth Temple. They have three levels of rooms ranging from 500 rupees to 1350 Rupees, the rooms are good sized with mosquito nets... more

What happened to my friend and I while staying in the Olde Empire was something which I never wish to think about or happen again. We arrived late in Kandy and this was the place recommended to us by a friend, a male friend I should add. We were shown to our room, which I immeditely asked to be changed.... more

The review above says it all about the Olde Empire - I would just like to add that should you be in Kandy for the first day of the Perahera (Elephant Festival) then the procession passes right underneath the balcony at the Olde Empire. When I was staying there was a great mix of tourists and Sri Lankans and so... more

To rate the Olde Empire on a regular scale is hard. It's undeniable charm comes from its age (149 years, according to the staff, but not all that time as a hotel), its truly excellent location and the graceful decrepitude of hallways and staircases. If you crave modern luxuries, by all means stay at the Queen's Hotel instead (it's situated... more