The origins of the Villa can be traced back to early 1900s. This is the ancestral home of a wealthy Arab businessman who established himself in Kandy. Haji M Ismail was a very well know entrepreneur in Kandy who ventured into various areas of business such as Petrol and service stations, automotive, cinemas and hotels and international trade. He named his business M Ismail and Son’s. The Ismail Bu
ilding is located opposite the Kandy Clock Tower in the city centre. Interestingly, the Villa is also the home of the Ismail family who donated the famous landmark, the Kandy Clock Tower to the city of Kandy. The story behind this clock tower is a tragic one. The Ismail clock tower which was built in 1947 by the Ismail Family (Haji M Ismail) is in memory of his beloved son M Zacky Ismail who lost his life in Kadugannawa on the 14th Aug 1947. The clock tower is a historic monument and marks the centre of the Kandy city. The tower was opened by the then premier of Sri Lanka Hon. D.S Senanayaka and the mayor of Kandy in the presence of the family members, dignitaries and general public. All the machinery and equipment needed for this project was imported from the United Kingdom and the land was acquired by the Kandy Municipal Council. The historic Villa has been passed down through generations and is now open for you to experience and truly enjoy some local life and culture in Kandy. This grade 2 Heritage listed Villa maintains the old world charm with a blend of contemporary amenities to suit the modern traveller. A blend of ornate antique and modern furniture decorates the large, tall ceilinged living and dining room areas. Villa 92 is situated in the centre of the historic city of Kandy within walking distance to many of the tourist attractions the city has to offer. It is only a 15-minute walk to the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake and the Kandy City Centre & 10-Minute walk to the Kandy Railway Station. You will be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city life with easy access to restaurants that serve various cuisines, the central market and the shopping district. The Villa has a wide range of rooms on offer to suit your taste and budget, ranging from comfortable large family rooms to rooms with bunk beds to cater to the backpacker looking for reasonably priced quality accommodation. Breakfast is available at anytime you wish to wake up. Western style breakfast and a selection of fresh fruit juices are also available. Sri Lanka is possibly the most underrated country in Asia. For such a tiny island, it packs in some of the best sites in the entire region. Kandy is indeed one of them. How you plan to explore this city is entirely up to you, however, everyone can do with some help. For this reason, we have hired some excellent local staff who can help you with any information you need.
