There’s a moment, somewhere on the narrow, winding roads northwest of central Kandy, when the city’s noise slips away, and the hills take over. I wanted to stay there, surrounded by greenery and to make that moment last – so I chose Selyna Sky Terrace.
This is a small, modern homestay with uncluttered spaces and a quietly intimate feel. It’s not a place to meet the world; it’s a place to exhale and watch the hills breathe.
And after leaving Colombo straight after my flight from London, it was a long, tiring ride through the countryside, and I’ll admit when I arrived in Sri Lanka’s famed City of Kings, I was slightly dishevelled.
Luckily, Selyna had arranged a tuk‑tuk from the station to pick me up and was waiting with a warm smile when I arrived. “Sit, relax,” she said, setting down an icy glass of fresh watermelon juice.
In this review, I’ll share how to get to Selyna Sky Terrace, the positives and negatives, and a deep dive into what you can expect from your stay.
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Selyna Sky Terrace, Kandy, Sri Lanka
The tuk‑tuk was bright red and noisy, slowly trudging up the hills before turning down a tiny lane and into the gated driveway of Selyna Sky Terrace.
Driving in, it was all lush greenery and bright flowers, and I knew I’d picked the right base! A little porch with a sofa and table, valley views and a black cocker spaniel sprinting around like its tail was on fire, set the mood.
From the terrace, the valley opens in a sweep of green; it’s where breakfast happens, where time slows, and where I found myself planning the day’s wanderings.
Related post >> I’ve written a 2-day Kandy Itinerary to help plan your trip. It’s a mix of the attractions I visited and the ones I missed, which I really wish I hadn’t, to ensure you make the most of your time in Kandy.
The house itself is modern and fresh with terracotta tiles underfoot, a neat swing door to the kitchen, and a few masks and photos on the walls. It’s stylish, but not cluttered.
Modern-minimal but warm, quiet, and with big valley views – I couldn’t have been happier with my stay at Selyna Sky Terrace.
🏨 Book your stay at Selyna Sky Terrace here!
Quick Overview
Calm, bright, and tucked into Kandy’s hills, Selyna Sky Terrace is all about terrace views, warm hosting, and slow mornings. It’s intimate (just three rooms) and better for decompressing than socialising.
I thought it was a wonderful place to stay and recommend it. So, here’s my review of Selyna Sky Terrace in Kandy.
Pros
- Sweeping valley views from the terrace (breakfast with a panorama)
- Warm, attentive host
- Fresh homemade breakfasts with a daily Sri Lankan dish
- Modern, spotless rooms with AC
- Excellent hot water and strong shower pressure
- Reliable Wi-Fi
- Free drinking water topped up daily; in-room kettle, towels, basic toiletries
- Quiet at night
Cons
- The uphill location meant walking back from town was arduous. I suggest budgeting for tuk-tuks (700 LKR to city / 500 LKR to station; Uber slightly cheaper)
- My twin room had limited natural light (book the lower suite with sliding glass doors if views matter)
- Small three-room setup – private and tranquil rather than social
- Access via narrow hill roads
🌟 My top pick >> Hit Kandy’s core, and visit Kandy old town, the temple of the tooth, botanical gardens and all the famous viewpoints, plus Kandy Lake on this popular day trip!
My Key Takeaway
Selyna Sky Terrace is a quietly stylish hillside homestay with genuine hospitality and knockout terrace breakfasts. If you’re happy to tuk-tuk the hills and want calm over bustle, this is a great-value base.
It’s a cash-only accommodation, so make sure you have plenty enough to pay at the end of your visit.
Booking tip >> Prices spike on Poya (full-moon) days and weekends; book 2–4 weeks ahead in peak season.
🏨 Book your stay at Selyna Sky Terrace here!
How To Get There From The Airport/Station
From Colombo, the most common way is to catch the train to Kandy. I’ve written a comprehensive guide on getting to Kandy from Colombo, listing all transport options, costs, and recommendations.
Once you’re at Kandy station, the best way to go is to jump into a tuk-tuk for the hills. It’s about a 10-minute ride. I suggest negotiating the price before you get in, but based on my trip, it should be around LKR 300 via a ride-hail app or LKR 500 on the spot.
For the ride-hail app, you can pre-book an Uber or Pick Me; some drivers won’t know the exact location, so this stops any confusion. Otherwise, drop a pin, show the driver and say “Selyna Sky Terrace” if just jumping in.
Alternatively, you can contact Selyna to arrange a pickup, although this option is more expensive and not included in the room rate.
If you’re self-driving, there’s space to park inside the gate, but not too much. I suggest contacting Selyna Sky Terrace and confirming parking availability.
Budget tip >> If you’re not using PickMe/Uber, it’s best to agree the fare before you set off – the uphill leg usually costs a little more.
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Check‑In & First Impressions
Check-in was quick and friendly – no faff. After my watermelon juice, I was shown to my room and left to decompress. Check-in is from 12:00, and check-out is until 11:00.
While I sat on the porch enjoying my watermelon, Selyna, at my request, attentively showed me recommendations for massage parlours in the city and provided suggestions for dinner – her cocker spaniel ever present, enjoying belly rubs.
Inside, my room was cosy and clean, and I immediately felt relaxed. The vibe was more homestay-warm rather than hotel-formal, which was exactly what I was after.
Selyna is a standout host. She arranged my station pickup, greeted me with fresh juice, topped up my water daily, and shared practical city tips (dinner spots, fair tuk-tuk rates, massage recs, etc.).
Selyna Sky Terrace was welcoming, colourful, and instantly calm. I think it’s a great place to stay while visiting Kandy.
🏨 Book your stay at Selyna Sky Terrace here!
Best Tours & Excursions in Kandy
If you’re travelling in Kandy and want to enjoy the city highlights, below are five of the highest-rated day tours and experiences.
- Hit Kandy’s core, and visit Kandy old town, the temple of the tooth, botanical gardens and all the famous viewpoints, plus Kandy Lake on this popular day trip
- A private Kandy day tour which includes the Temple of the Tooth & lakeside highlights
- If you’re looking for cultural immersion, you might enjoy a visit to the Vedda aboriginal village & sacred Mahiyanganaya Temple.
- Visit the Botanical Gardens, Ambuluwawa Tower & catch a Kandy Culture show with this full day tour.
- This tuk-tuk full-day tour includes a cultural dance, a visit to the Temple of the Tooth, a viewpoint, the botanical gardens and even a gem stop!
Why I Booked Selyna Sky Terrace
I wanted a calm, mid-range base with valley views for two nights in Kandy before the Ella train. The three-room homestay setup promised quiet away from crowds, terrace breakfasts, and a location just far enough from the centre for peaceful nights.
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Who It’s For / Who It’s Not For
Best for:
Travellers who want calm and tranquillity in Kandy – a small, intimate homestay that feels private. It suits couples, solo travellers looking to decompress, small families, and friends who prefer to keep to themselves. If a quiet base with valley views and slow terrace breakfasts sounds like your pace, this fits.
🏨 Book your stay at Selyna Sky Terrace here!
Not for:
Anyone chasing a social/meet-other-travellers scene or walk-everywhere convenience. The house sits up in the hills, with a steep return from town; you’ll rely on tuk-tuks/Uber rather than walking back. Travellers with mobility limitations may find the approach and levels challenging.
For the price, you get terrace views, homemade breakfasts, AC, reliable Wi-Fi, and spotless rooms. The trade-off is the uphill tuk-tuks and less natural light in the upstairs twins; if views matter, the downstairs suite is a worthy splurge.
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Accommodation Options
Selyna Sky Terrace is a three-room homestay tucked into the hillside. Two rooms sit just off the living area upstairs, while the third is a larger suite one level below.
In the rooms, the décor is simple yet thoughtful, with a few pictures on the walls and pillows on the bed. Everything felt fresh and well-kept during my stay.
It’s a small setup, so the vibe is calm and private rather than social; think rest-and-recharge base rather than meet-and-mingle.
Room Types
- Upstairs Twin Rooms: Compact, clean, and practical, each with a private ensuite, AC, bedside lamps, a small desk, and warmer blankets. Natural light is limited, which makes them cooler and quieter for sleep. Best value pick for solo travellers or friends who’ll spend most of their time out exploring.
- Downstairs Double Suite: A larger, brighter space with sliding glass doors that open towards the valley greenery – more natural light and an airy feel. Comes with a private ensuite and AC. It’s the view lover’s choice and the most comfortable option for couples or anyone planning longer, lazier mornings.
Insider tip: If views and light are top priorities, book the downstairs suite. If you’re budget-focused or up early and out most of the day, the upstairs twins do the job nicely.
Rooms & Sleep Quality
I stayed in an upstairs twin just off the living area. It was clean, cosy, and quiet at night, with AC keeping the room comfortable. I slept well.
- Space & bed: Comfortable twin setup; cosy rather than spacious. Spare blankets provided.
- Climate: AC worked well throughout. I didn’t use a mosquito net; the room felt sealed enough in the evenings.
- Plugs & lighting: Bedside lamps plus enough outlets by the bed and desk for charging.
- Noise: Very quiet at night; no traffic or temple noise reached my room.
- Extras: Kettle, free drinking water topped up daily, towels, and basic toiletries (body wash + hair wash).
Bathroom
The shower had strong water pressure with a consistent temperature, and the hot water was reliable on both mornings of my stay.
Fresh towels were provided, along with simple but decent body wash and hair wash. The bathroom was well designed in terms of ventilation and layout, too; the room and floor drained properly, stayed dry, and everything felt tidy and easy to use.
Note: the image is from the suite on the lower level and is newer than the ensuite in my room. Although still nice, it wasn’t as bright as this one.
🏨 Book your stay at Selyna Sky Terrace here!
Accessibility
Selyna Sky Terrace sits up a quiet hillside about 2 km from central Kandy.
Walking down into town takes roughly 40 minutes; the return is steep and sweaty, so most guests use a tuk-tuk or Uber. The final approach is a narrow lane that’s easy to miss – screenshot the pin and share it with your driver.
Tuk-tuks can pull right up to the gated driveway for easy luggage drop-off.
Inside, rooms are split across two levels (twin rooms upstairs; the double suite below). There’s no lift/step-free access, and you’ll encounter stairs to reach the lower suite, so it’s not ideal for travellers with limited mobility or very heavy bags.
- Parking: Small, gated driveway suitable for drop-off/pick-up; limited space for a small car – confirm availability with Selyna in advance.
- Location: The homestay is about 2km northwest of the lake/centre; roughly 10 minutes by tuk-tuk to the station and 15 minutes to central sights (traffic-dependent).
Accommodation Amenities
Selyna Sky Terrace keeps things calm and thoughtful rather than flashy. Small, homely touches that make slow mornings and early nights easy.
- Secure and gated, very safe.
- Valley-view terrace for breakfast and relaxed meals
- Reliable Wi-Fi during my stay
- Air conditioning in rooms for comfortable sleep
- Private ensuite bathrooms with strong hot-water showers
- In-room kettle and free drinking water topped up daily; towels + basic toiletries provided
- Home-cooked breakfasts and extra meals on request
- Resident cocker spaniel adding to the homestay vibe!
Excursions
Selyna Sky Terrace doesn’t arrange excursions.
But Kandy itself is very DIY-friendly. I enjoyed the morning pooja at the Temple of the Tooth, but if you’re not into 5 am starts, there are other times throughout the day, or you could simply visit the temple during normal hours.
The loop around the lake before the heat hits is always a good idea (or head there for golden hour), then choose nature: Udawattekele Sanctuary for a close, quick forest fix, or Peradeniya Botanic Gardens for a grander wander by tuk-tuk.
For views, Bahirawakanda Buddha is a classic at golden hour; Arthur’s Seat is a lighter-effort alternative nearer town or take a trip to Ambuluwawa Tower, one of my favourite spots and you’ll get 360 views over the landscape!
If you have the stamina, Sigiriya + Dambulla is doable as a long day trip from Kandy. If you fancy hiking, look to the Knuckles Range for guided day hikes.
Temple tip >> cover shoulders and knees, and go early; everything is calmer before the crowds.
Facilities & Common Areas
Life here orbits the terrace: that’s where breakfast is served and where you’ll end up lingering over the valley view. There’s also a small porch at the entrance with a sofa and table.
Inside, the shared living room offers a cool, uncluttered space to unwind – handy for a quiet read or a coffee while the dog does zoomies.
Arrivals and departures are easy thanks to the gated driveway; the tuk-tuks/Uber can pull right up.
Breakfast
Mornings here are unhurried and lovely: breakfast on the terrace with the valley laid out in green, steam curling off your coffee, and that soft Kandy light easing you into the day. It’s the moment the accommodation really shines.
Selyna cooks fresh to your chosen time, with a set of staples: fruit, bread, jam/marmalade, yoghurt, tea/coffee, and fresh juice, plus a daily Sri Lankan dish!
During my stay, I had ibul kiribath (Selyna called it ibul “kota,” like a pillow, ‘cause that’s what it looked like when she was little). It’s basically this delicious red rice spongy steamed dough with treacle coconut filling that’s sweet, sticky, and very Kandyan.
The next morning was roti stuffed with scrambled egg. A simple, hot, and tasty option and exactly what I wanted before I departed for Ella.
The portions were generous, everything tasted homemade, and the view does the rest.
If you have dietary preferences, mention them – Selyna is attentive and can usually adjust.
Insider tip >> book an early slot to enjoy the terrace in its calmest light, then roll straight into a temple visit or lake loop.
Top Things To Do Nearby
While you’re in Kandy, make time for:
- Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa): 10 min by tuk-tuk; dress modestly and aim for an early pooja for calmer crowds.
- Kandy Lake loop: Gentle circuit in town; golden hour is gorgeous. From the homestay, it’s 40 minutes downhill on foot to the lake, plus a 1-hour loop.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya: 20–30 min by tuk-tuk; orchids, giant palms, and wide lawns for a slow wander.
- Arthur’s Seat: Quick sunset viewpoint near town; lighter effort than Bahirawakanda
- Kandy Central Market: Spices, snacks, and everyday bustle—fun short stop between sights.
- Kandyan Cultural Dance: Ask Selyna to reserve seats or book same-day in town; pair with a lake stroll.
Easy day trips:
- Sigiriya + Dambulla: long day; early start best
- Knuckles Range: guided day hikes recommended.
Practical Tips & Advice For Visiting Sri Lanka
Most travellers need an ETA approved before arrival. Use the official site, carry an onward ticket, and ensure 6+ months of passport validity.
Two monsoons: south/west (Dec–Mar), east (May–Sep). Hills are cooler with showers year-round. Poya (full-moon) days can affect alcohol sales and some services.
Currency is LKR. ATMs are common in cities; cash rules for tuk-tuks/small shops. Expect card surcharges in some places; keep small notes handy.
No—use bottled or filtered water. Many cafés/guesthouses offer refill stations.
Buy Dialog/Airtel/Hutch with your passport (airport or town). 4G is good in cities/coast; Wi-Fi varies—hotspot as backup.
Trains for scenic routes, buses for budget, PickMe/Uber for short hops. Off-app tuk-tuks: agree the fare upfront. Private drivers work well for day trips.
Generally safe with standard precautions. Dress modestly away from beaches, use ride-hailing at night, trust your read on situations.
Cover shoulders/knees, remove shoes/hats, and avoid photos with your back to Buddha. A light sarong + socks help on hot floors.
End Note: Selyna Sky Terrace
After two slow mornings of terrace breakfasts and that first watermelon-juice welcome, Selyna Sky Terrace became my Kandy exhale. I really enjoyed my stay here: it’s calm, modern, and genuinely cared for.
The valley view does most of the heavy lifting, and nights are blissfully quiet.
Yes, you’ll tuk-tuk the hill and my upstairs twin didn’t get much natural light, but for warmth, value, and that unhurried vibe, I’d book again in a heartbeat.
🏨 Book your stay at Selyna Sky Terrace here!
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FAQs
Is Selyna Sky Terrace walkable to Kandy Lake?
Downhill, yes, about 40 minutes. The return is steep, so most guests take a tuk-tuk (700 LKR from the city; 500 LKR from the station). Uber/PickMe can be slightly cheaper.
Does Selyna Sky Terrace have reliable hot water?
Yes. Hot water was consistent, and shower pressure was strong both mornings.
What’s the Wi-Fi like?
Reliable during my stay; fine for browsing, emails, and photo uploads. Coverage was solid in the room and on the terrace.
Is breakfast worth it?
Absolutely. Generous terrace breakfasts with staples plus a daily Sri Lankan dish (e.g., ibul kiribath, stuffed roti). Fresh, home-cooked, and a highlight.
Any noise at night?
Quiet. I slept well with no noticeable street or temple noise reaching the room.
