Traveling to Sri Lanka? Find Udawalawe hotels

New and beautiful hotel. One of the best experiences in Sri Lanka. But not all staff spoke English well, and not all staff were attentive to the guests either. There's room for improvement. The dinner was tasty but pricey. I also tried the Ayurveda massage in the hotel. The massage itself was good. But they can do better to enhance the whole experience e.g. dim the light, play some music. Because all I heard was TV commercials and drama from the TV set at the spa reception counter......

We stayed at Udawalawe Safari resort for 2 nights after changing our booking form another hotel. We got scared off the other place after reading some horrible reviews and decided to book here instead as we needed a bit of luxury after some of our other experiences in Sri Lanka. It cost more than a couple of places we had previously stayed at, but boy was it worth it! we had a massive room with a very comfortable bed, and a nice big balcony to sit out on in the afternoon drinking beer and reading. The pool was also massive and we virtually had the place to ourselves for most of the afternoon. Also Buffet meals were fantastic. The staff helped us organise everything and just let us bill it all to our room and finalise payment when we checked-out. They were really helpful and made our stay very enjoyable. We organised an early morning Safari tour after our first night and I would recommend this as the main thing to do while you're there. We saw about 30 different elephants, as well as lots of other wildlife (Peacocks, land monitor, hawks, eagles, crocodiles, deer, etc). make sure you do this and also visit the elephant rehabilitaion centre a short walk from the resort.

The best thing was our ranger, who took us on a safari to Udawalawe National park. He was so knowledgeable and always made sure we were happy to move on after spotting animals. The hotel also arranged a tuk tuk for us to the elephant transit home, where we saw baby elephants being fed. A great experience. I would say food was a bit basic but absolutely fine for a 1 night stay. Room was spacious and clean and we had an amazing view if the river from our balcony. The staff is very friendly too.

We stayed in Elephant Trail for 2 nights, it seems most people only stay for one, but travelling with a young child we didn’t want to move to often. The room was spacious, modernly furnished and spotlessly clean. The bathroom – a bit dark, but that didn’t bother us. With a massive shower cabin it was very comfortable. We stayed in one of the rooms directly at the swimming pool, virtually at our balcony door, but the rooms on the upper floors have their perks too – balconies with chairs and a table, there are also a few communal terraces around the property. I found the architecture and design the biggest asset of the place. The staff were also very hospitable, helpful and kind, they made soup for our baby upon request and were eager to accommodate requests. The problem with staying here for more than 1 night is that there’s virtually nothing in the area – the small town is 7-8 km away, you need to hire a bike or tuk tuk to get there. The hotel restaurant serves nice breakfasts, we only had the buffet dinner once, it was quite expensive and though it mostly included western food, it was quite OK, a nice change after a longer time in Sri Lanka. The restaurant sells beer too, which isn’t understood in Sri Lanka. We did the safari organised from the hotel, it was just us in a jeep for 3500 Rs, we were quite happy – the driver mostly drove around solo, not accompanied by other jeeps, although he barely spoke English. But he did try to please us. Contrary to some concerns expressed on internet forums, I can confirm the pool is being cleaned, we also used it with our atopic skin disease having child and it was all good. If I were to come to Udawalawe again, I’d definitely stay here.

This was a simply beautiful lodge, rooms were excellent, pool clean and maintained, staff so very friendly. Venue lovely for children to run around, restaurant on site but poor quality food, I think they are still developing menu but we still loved staying here. Would stay here again!!!! Air con, TV , fridge, has everything you need after a hot safari, small convenience stores close to buy drinks to put in your fridge. We spent two nights here and that was perfect really, one of the better places we stayed in Sri Lanka!!

Owners were lovely and very helpful. Food was abundant and tasteful. the owner didn't speak English well but we understood without problem. The swimming pool was small but enough for a great swim and very clean. She was very helpful and helped us in every type of problem we encounter in or stay. The owner helped us to book a jeep for the Safari at the Udawalawe Park. The jeep was new and the driver was a fantastic guide in the park, his name was Ginesh, who was working with Supun Safari and was very good with kids and with all the family. Wifi was slow and sometimes didn't work but that happened in most of the places that we stayed. Above all, great place to stay, I will recommend it if you want to go to the the safari in the park.

Clearly this was the best hotel ever for our honeymoon celebration ! Very uncommon, middle of forest and atypical ! You should not go in Sri Lanka without at least spending one night here. The staff is so welcoming that they make you feel as a prince and princess. I’m suggesting this place to all person I know!

One of the best places we stayed in Sri Lanka. The rooms are beautiful! Mr. Thilak Somarathna was a perfect host. We arrived after dinner at about 7pm. He arranged dinner for us. He also arranged our safari the next morning with his driver. He and his wife and staff were so attentive. I wish we could have stayed longer. His place was a little difficult to find in the dark(our fault for arriving after dark) but we just asked a local man and he directed us with a smile. Please stay here. The driver of the safari was extremely good at spotting things we might want to see. The park was truly amazing. We had breakfast after the safari and it was scrumptious! A plate of fruit, fresh squeezed juice, eggs, coffee and tea. We loved it!

Beautiful place. They are the pioneers of Eco tents so they can well anticipate the requirements and needs of guests. Tents have been recently refurbished so as good as new. There's wifi in the common rest area. FLUSHABLE Toilets and shower in the tents. Tents are nicely zipped up so bugs won't come in. There's a mosquito diffuser provided. Plugs, fan, towels, proper beddings and sheets, everything you'll need. Treated to a BBQ dinner under the stars with a huge bonfire. How lovely! Beer and wine are available at a reasonable extra charge of 400 and 800 rupees each. Spoilt silly with a delicious lunch of Sri Lankan dishes before check out. Wifi is available at the common rest areas. The staff were extremely hospitable and friendly! Special shoutout to Manager Wayne and Sudesh for making us feel so at home. I would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Sri Lanka and is looking for a "safe" adventure.

we are two night spend in this hotel. i need to inform for other traveler this is the best hotel in udawalawe. first we enter this hotel until we chick out time there give to us very nice high hospitality service & always this staffs ready to help us. we are lived all room very good big & very clean. out side garden was very beautiful always day time you can see & you can listen bird's sound's. there have very nice open aria restaurant this also very beautiful food was very taste. we eat here sri lanken rice & curry this was amazing why i tel this we eat other place also rice & curry but we not get in like this taste before. i need inform my safari also this also i use hotel jeep price very reasonable time 3.30 hours we did safari in side the jungle. our jeep driver nishantha was very nice guide he have eagle eye some animal we not seen but he is the one show this animal for us. by the way i need to inform all Americans you need to go udawalawe N.P this hotel Highly we recommended. Room Tip: Room Number 9 & 10

We were 2 families. 4 adults and 4 children - ages 8 - 14. They treated us like royalty and made sure we were comfortable at all times. The kept the camp area clean and tidy. They served us an abundance of delicious food and helped organise our safari to Udawalawe National Park. This trip to Sri Lanka was to celebrate my 40th birthday and my actual birthday was at Makulu. They went above and beyond to make me feel special. They cooked an amazing dinner, drove to another village to buy a birthday cake and bottle of wine as well as played the guitar and sang happy birthday to me. We ate under the stars by the river. It’s a place where you can relax, go for a walk to the surrounding to discover and meet the locals. The younger children spent hours carving wood and building a cubby house out of sticks and tree leaves. It is very close to the Udawalawe National Park and the Elephant Orphanage

We arrived around 7 p.m. in the dark, the last 80 kms of our journey by tuc tuc which ran out of fuel on the way. Directions to this place are actually 4 km away at a restaurant of the same name/ownership. They at least provided a motorbike guide to help otherwise you would never find it. Our booking had not been received as the internet was down. That's all the negatives, thereafter we were treated wonderfully, a tent was found overlooking the river, dinner served by the recently opened swimming pool and arrangements made to go on Safari the next morning. The food is excellent we had Cuury & Rice washed down with Lion larger. The following morning at 05.45 we were served tea before our guide took us on the most amazing Safari into Udawalawe National Park, returning to the campsite around 9.30 a.m. We were ushered down to the river to our table for two, complete with tablecloth, exotic fruit platter and chilled juice. Cooked omelette followed with Ceylon tea / coffee and toasts including a local coconut roti. Just fabulous. We spent the morning in the pool, the best in Sri Lanka, swimming under the shade of Palm trees before checking out to visit the Elephant Transit Hospital. If you like camping then you will love this place, if you don't like bugs and insist on air conditioning then book elsewhere!

The owner, Sudath, and his family were very welcoming and friendly and provided lots of useful information about Udawalawe National Park. Sudath also runs safaris to the park at a reasonable price. Our room was fairly newly built and was very spacious and spotlessly clean. The large bathroom was clean and the water was hot. The very generous breakfast was a bargain at $3.00 per person. It consisted of freshly baked bread, eggs, butter, jam, a plate of fruit, delicious pancakes filled with coconut and palm syrup, toasted sandwiches, a plate of assorted Sri Lankan pastries and good tea and coffee. We ate dinner there both nights of our stay and as well as being delicious it was also a huge serve - much more than we could eat. This was the best value for money accommodation we had in our month in Sri Lanka.

Good room with clean wash room. Bed with mosquito net was comfortable. Location is remote but suitable for a calm stay. Few amenities like hangers, cup board/almirah/wardrobe, phone to contact the staffs and table with chair (for writing, reading) are recommended. Hospitality of hotel staff is excellent and they arranged - taxi pick-up from Colombo + arranged/guided SAFARI etc.,

I can't say enough about how great this place is! The rooms are basic but comfortable, clean and the bathroom/shower was perfect after a long hot safari day. There is one room option that was entirely open air that looked REALLY neat too. The food was delicious - we ate all of our meals here - and the staff was beyond wonderful. If you stay I 100% recommend using their tour guide for a safari. I went on multiple safaris in different parks and this was the best by far. Not only was our driver skilled at navigating the park and finding animals but the breakfast/lunch they packed for us was the best. No cheese sandwiches here! The location was central to everything and it was easy to find as well.

Stayed for 1 night so that we could go on a sunset safari. Clean, comfortable rooms with air con and WiFi. The owners are super friendly and did a great Sri Lankan dinner and breakfast for after the safari. They also organised the safari which was excellent. Amazing value for money!

Everything about our stay was excellent! This was the best place we stayed in Sri Lanka, wish we would have booked for 2 nights. The tents were clean, big and comfortable. It was great to have AC and hot running water in the tent. The king bed was comfortable. Staff were attentive and friendly. Close to Uda Walawe park. We booked our safari through the hotel and were very happy with the jeep, guide and our experience. We saw 40-50 elephants in one afternoon! Highly recommend this resort and using them for your safari.

Old charming hotel with character. Much appreciated pool, great copious breakfast and friendly staff. Overall good value for money and within easy distance of Elephant Transit station.

We really enjoyed our stay at Birds Paradise and the 6 hour morning safari they organised for us. We saw so many animals and our guide was excellent. We also went to the elephant transit home which is highly recommended. Pool and grounds are lovely. The hotel restaurant had a wide range of nice food. The room was functional but not beautiful with glazed windows so you couldn’t see out. This a a great place to relax and to go on safari but there isn’t really much else to see or places to go to (inc other restaurants) from the hotel.

Quaint and modern guesthouse surrounded by tropical fruit and plant trees. The owner Sandun and his family are extremely welcoming and gracious hosts. We stayed one night but we were blown away by his hospitality and amazing breakfast and dinner prepared by his mother. By far the best meal we have had on our trip (and a lot of food too, we couldn’t finish it!) in Sri Lanka. They also use local plants and vegetables from their garden to prepare the curries so you know it’s super fresh. He was also able to get a very fair price for the safari which we did in the evening, through his friend, (also named Sandun). Our only regret is we couldn’t stay another night! If you are going to stay a night in Udawalawe, I highly recommend you stay here, you won’t be disappointed.

Cosy little spot in this area, the hosts are friendly helpful and organised a safari for us the next morning. The food here is delicious home cooked food, it was a feast! Cool spot to hang out outside with cards, books and a chessboard. The rooms are good with the best pressured shower we've had in Sri Lanka. If your ever in Udawalawa this place is great I highly recommend it.

Arrived to be told our room had been "double booked" & they were moving us to their "sister hotel". Sister hotel was in an out-of-village location & prided itself on being the oldest hotel in Uda Walawe - it was obvious it was also in the worst condition - a total downgrade. We gather the overbooking happens a bit but would be weary booking Hotel Athgira again as it's a lottery where you'll end up sleeping. We did eat a meal at Hotel Athgira and the food was terrible too. No stars from me unfortunately. Only plus was it had a nice new pool but no good for children as it is very deep.

The Elephant Rest Hotel is near to the entrance to Udawalawe National Park. It was an excellent choice for my family of four, as we spent the night prior to a safari in the park. The room was clean and the staff were excellent. They were very attentive. The dinner that we has there was an authentic Sri Lankan meal, prepared and served with care. The portions were very generous and the price was reasonable. I would highly recommend this hotel to people who are looking for a welcoming and comfortable stay in rural Sri Lanka,very near the entrance to Udawalawe.

We stayed 2 nights at blue sapphire to go on a Safari. rooms are very basic and in need of a little paint however their are new rooms which I would highly recommend as the bottom floor room didn't have any light coming in. For the price it was more than adequate! The best thing about our stay was spending time with the hosts and their seriously amazing food they would make for us. I recommend the Sri Lankan breakfast - its not rice and curry but delicious coconut pancakes, eggs baked in a thin crepe like pastry. So delicious and so cheap. Lunch and dinner was also a feast! Better food than a lot of high end places we visited. The chicken briani was the best I have had! They catered for my adversion to too much chilli. They were amazing at arranging a safari and also a driver to the next destination for very local rates. No ripping off tourists at this place. We highly recommend this place! The family is very honest and made prices very low we suggest tipping it goes along way!

We were made to feel very welcome even though we arrived very early. A very quiet location made for a very relaxing couple of days in our comfortable double room. The staff were very helpful with information regarding onward travel and safari options. After a little research we decided to do a full day safari organised through the resort. It was a little expensive but worth it. Our driver/guide was very knowledgeable, pointing out many types of birds, spotting crocodiles and of course elephants. He prepared a great breakfast and lunch inside the national park too. The breakfast and dinner at the resort were super tasty too. Drinking water is free and when we left Mr Happy gave us lots of fruit for our bus journey. If I stayed in Udawalawe again I would definitely stay here.

Loved this family! Great home, food , son's videos from New Year Games in April( ask to watch, a hoot) and father's amazing safari at Udawalawe National Park. Having his jeep right at home makes this an easy/wonderful bonus. Home stays truly make your Sri Lanka experience memorable and you should add this one to your plans! Thanks Sheran & say hi to your Family

We had two great bungalows, each with large balcony and outdoor bathroom. Very friendly, helpful staff who rushed to help carry all our luggage and made us a good Sri Lankan meal in the evening. (We recommend eating the delicious local food in Sri Lanka rather than trying for Western.) They arranged our safari for early the following morning and provided some packed food and water for us to take with us. The safari was excellent, with a super knowledgeable guide, and we saw lots of elephants, young and old, as well as a huge variety of birds and plants.

This is a must stay if you’re going to Udawalawe! Ran by a lovely young Sri Lankan couple who make your stay perfect. It’s clean, modern, with the fastest WiFi you’ll find in Sri Lanka. The food is amazing and you are made to feel so welcome. They collected us so easily from our previous hotel for amazing value compared to other prices you’ll be offered. The safari that they arrange for you with their own driver is better than ever with an English speaking driver who really cares about making sure you get the best experience on the safari and see all the animals which we did. It was an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend anyone staying here!

It wasn't the fanciest. It didn't have a breathtaking view. But the Owl's Nest was my favorite of the places that I stayed during my vacation in Sri Lanka. Here I felt like I actually got a real taste of the culture of this amazing country. The accommodations in this sweet home are simple but clean, and the hosts are some of the nicest people you will meet. They helped us set up all of the activities for our visit, and the food was delicious. Highly recommended!