As the rickety tuktuk rickshaw came to a halt at the sleek gates of the Theva Residency, I couldn’t help but hope for a blissful retreat from the chaotic clutter of the streets of Sri Lanka.

It was about a 10 minute mountain ride from the center of Kandy until we arrived.

I was immediately greeted by the friendly Theva staff and ushered away to my room on the bottom floor of the neatly designed boutique hotel.

Just after taking off my dusty shoes and refreshing my face with a splash of cool water, a waiter came to my door bearing a cold blended tropical fruit smoothie. I was delighted.

Though the blistering rays of the midday Sri Lankan sun were harsh, Theva Residency provided a true retreat of escape in the higher elevation of Kandy’s foothills.

My spic and span room was spacious and outfitted with an assortment of luxurious furnishings, an in the room money safe, a flatscreen television, and a small fridge hosting a minibar.

The bathroom was modernly designed with an external transparent glass sink bowl and one of those shower heads that encourages someone to fall asleep while showering.

The best thing about the room at Theva Residency was the balcony.

Not only was it big enough to include a reclining beach bed and a table with 2 chairs, but also an outdoor tub and shower spigot that overlooked the rolling green hills of Sri Lanka.

I had no other choice but to take advantage of the balcony by stripping down to my boxers (I didn’t have a swimming suit with me) and enjoying the blissful outdoor relaxation.

After the outdoor shower extravagance I took the opportunity to try out the bathrobe, something I rarely ever get to do in life!

In the morning I sampled a variety of the specialties off the menu at Theva Residency including a basket of bread and jams, potatoes covered in spinach and poached eggs, an egg and sausage burrito and a platter of delicately cut Sri Lankan fruits.

Each dish was so beautifully prepared that it was hard for me to dig-in, but luckily, those feeling lasted merely a few seconds. Each dish I tried was delicious!

The chef did an excellent job of presentation and all in all the food was fantastic!

After my brief stay at the Theva Residency, I can say that my quest for a blissful retreat was accomplished!

If you are looking for a higher end trendy boutique hotel to spend a few nights in while in Kandy, Sri Lanka, have a look at Theva Residency. It’s a great place to get away from the boisterous streets of Sri Lanka and into the fresh air of the hills of Kandy!

Theva Residency, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Website: http://theva.lk/

Phone Number: 94 (81) 7388280

Note: I was sponsored to stay at the Theva Residency in Kandy, Sri Lanka, but this is my personal opinion of my stay there.