Dambulla Hotels with balcony

It was absolutely amazing experience. We came from Japan & came to highland area to escape the city busyness. We are astonished about this hidden gem. As we came in we were welcomed with fantastic passion fruit juice. We came after dark & only requested simple white rice & fried vegetable but the chef and her staff made an amazing dinner with simple vegetable & rice. I realized how food prepared with heart can heal our soul. I was kept thinking if people in the world could eat this kind of food with real soul in it, could heal the whole world!! It is so amazing to be surrounded by beautiful trees &sounds of animals. I will definitely come back again. O

Amba Yaalu — A Swan-Like Masterclass in Women-Led Luxury I arrived at Amba Yaalu by Thema Collection without quite knowing what to expect—after all, it was my first time staying in a “women-led” hotel. I wondered what the experience would feel like, and what new energy the concept might bring. What I found was exceptional: the service was of the same highest standard I would expect from this caliber of hotel chain—yet delivered with a distinctive style, unmistakably described as “swan-like.” 🦢 There’s no question the women are working ferociously—in the way a swan’s feet move beneath the water to create effortless beauty. And that’s exactly what you feel here. Under the surface, everything is operating with precision, speed, and strength. But what guests experience is something else entirely: grace. poise. warmth. smiles that arrive with such ease that it feels like the entire property glides. The atmosphere is genuinely welcoming. I noticed it not only from the staff, but in the way kindness seems to move through the whole guest experience—women, men, and children all smiling in a way that is tender, natural, and beautifully effortless. And yes—because luxury should be truly thoughtful—all of my bags were carried to my room for me. No fuss. No lifting. Just seamless, dignified care from arrival onward. If you’re looking for a stay that pairs top-tier hospitality with a rare, elegant spirit, Amba Yaalu is it. A hotel that doesn’t just host you—it makes you feel quietly cared for, beautifully welcomed, and entirely at ease. Truly unforgettable.

Just a short walk from the bus stop, this gem of a guesthouse is hands down the best place to stay in Sri Lanka. The owner goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome, always offering help and thoughtful advice. He even arranged for a local tuk-tuk driver at a very reasonable price, ensuring I had the best experience exploring the area. Every afternoon, he would check in and offer a delightful cup of tea, making the stay feel extra special. His wife’s cooking is an absolute highlight—breakfast was not just delicious but prepared with so much care, adding a homely touch to every meal. The room itself was super clean, big, and incredibly comfortable. From start to finish, they both made me feel completely at home. I can say this was the best accommodation I experienced during my time in Sri Lanka, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a truly memorable and comfortable stay.

This place was amazing. The breakfast was one of the best I have ever had. Beautiful clean and spacious room with comfy beds. The location is close to the Lion's rock. Staff was great. Pool is nice and warm. Would recommend!

Bawa's design speaks for itself. However, the service during peak season was an absolute disaster. 1. Check-in was very brief with no introduction to the hotel's activities. 2. Vanishing Front Desk: On day 1, my requests for water and cleaning during the day were ignored. At night, I called 10 times with no answer. Eventually, someone picked up after I pressed the emergency button twice. The next day, my request for slippers was also ignored. There were no bathrobes in the room. 3. At 12 PM, I received a call reminding me to check out and offering assistance with luggage transport. After I confirmed, I waited in my room for 15 minutes to no avail and ended up having to drag my own luggage. For a renowned luxury hotel, the service was truly disastrous.

We stayed here two nights to enjoy the two main attractions of the area. The boys are very available and the manager is a nice young man who can do it! The location is very quiet even though not very far from the rooms. The hotel is very comfortable and it is very comfortable and it is very comfortable and it is very comfortable and it is very good.

Kalundewa Retreat has an amazing concept and a beautiful, secluded location that really stands out. The surroundings are peaceful and unique, making it a lovely place to disconnect. That said, there are visible signs of wear and tear in certain areas, and some aspects of property maintenance could be improved. However, what truly made up for this was the hotel team — their service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The food was excellent and clearly prepared with care, which added greatly to the overall experience. With better upkeep, this place has the potential to be exceptional.

This is a nice hotel in a great location in terms of seeing the key sights in the area we wanted to visit (walking distance to Sigiriya and Pidurangala rocks, and a short tuk tuk ride to a night loris walk). It is on a main road so there is a bit of noise from that if you have a room at the front of the hotel like we did - especially some loud music playing early in the morning. I recommend asking for a room as far away from the road as available. The room was more basic than I expected for the price but importantly it was big and clean. I think you are paying the price for a proper hotel in this location. The hotel pool is big and very clean, it is perfect for a dip to cool down - and very scenic, surrounded by lovely trees. We were a bit disappointed with the hotel restaurant menu which has nearly no vegetarian options on it, and similarly the breakfast buffet wasn’t worth it for us to purchase, but there are lots of other restaurants walking distance from the hotel to go to. The staff were helpful especially in putting us in touch with the loris night tour.

The staff were superb! They couldn't do enough to make our stay a memorable one. The room was clean with plenty of space. Air conditioned and comfortable beds. Breakfast was really good: fruit, roti, coconut pancakes, eggs how you want them, fruit juice, other bits too. Our table was hardly big enough to hold it all. An excellent location to visit Lion Rock and several restaurants and bars within walking distance serving local and western options.

This hotel is located in the forest within walking distance of Sigiriya. Since it’s in the forest, I expected there to be a lot of insects, but to my surprise, there were hardly any inside the room, and I was able to stay comfortably. I had booked for two nights, planning to climb Sigiriya Rock in the morning and then relax by the pool in the afternoon. However, it seems that the hotel has a policy of turning off the electricity in the rooms during the daytime. Although I asked a staff member to turn the main power back on and they did, it was soon turned off again. When the main power is off, the room becomes completely dark, and neither the Wi-Fi nor the air conditioner works. It was clear that even if I asked them to turn it back on again, the same thing would just keep happening. I felt it would only add to my stress, so I decided to move to another hotel.