Kalu's Hideaway Udawalawe

Location & Ambiance: Situated near Udawalawe National Park and a serene riverside setting with lush gardens, offering privacy and tranquility.

Our stay at this hotel was truly memorable. Surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking the tranquil Walawe River, the setting was peaceful and ideal for a relaxing getaway. We were warmly welcomed with a free upgrade to a spacious chalet, which made our experience even more special. The pools were fantastic, and our kids absolutely loved them. One of the highlights was that our kids got to try fishing by the river for the first time—a unique and fun experience they’ll always remember. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, even preparing custom meals tailored to kids preferences, which made us feel right at home. To top it off, we were lucky to meet Romesh Kaluwitharana, the legendary cricketer and hotel owner, which was such a special surprise!

A secluded small eco hotel, reached by a long track.Huge wooden gates at entrance to hotel grounds. Greeted by friendly staff and check in was quick. Our room was up two flights of stairs, no lift. The room was, as usual in Sri Lanka, large and clean. Food was excellent, an la carte menu if there are not many guests and buffet when there were more of us.They grow a lot of their own fruit and veg. Dishes were tasty and there was a cooking station, the egg hoppers were very good. The head chef was always around, greeting diners and explaining the dishes. The desserts and fruit were in a separate cold glass room. We found the prices reasonable. Eating out was not a choice for us, as there was nothing nearby anyway. The hotel is owned by a Sri Lankan cricket legend, he was at the hotel when we stayed and our driver was very excited to get a photo with him. The Udawalawe nat.park was a 20min drive and the Orphan elephant show the same.