Udawalawa hotels from HK$27

"Fine"

"The facilities and staff are very good. The food is below par. Food that is to be served hot were served lukewarm. By the time, I walked back to my table from the buffet line, the items were cold. Imagine cold "kirihodi" on String Hoppers or cold scrambled eggs on toast :-) The food that was to be served cold were at room temperature. Not what you expected from a 5-star. The selections were poor. Not much grilled meats/fish. Crab the size of a large shrimp. Remember seeing larger crabs in the paddyfields :-) Thai green curry that had absolutely no vegetables - just small shrimp floating in a green food colored gravy. The so-called Papaya Juice was nothing more than watered down iced washing of a papaya slice! Worst, no coffee after dinner. On top of all this the food is highly over priced. A terrible value! One afternoon at the pool side bar, they wanted a Rs. 1400 for a cup of "kade" tea. What are they making this stuff of - gold? Some of the staff seems clueless of what they are selling. Example, by the pool side on a hot afternoon, we asked for the price a ice-cream bar. The guy had no idea but guessed it was Rs. 4000. The actual price after another guy checked on his POS, was Rs. 600. The first guy should not be a server! We will not be back! They are missing the mark big time! Hope the management take the feedback and improve their offerings. What a shame, afterall they have fantastic facilities and most staff are very good!"

"Fantastic Plac"

"Our stay at Hantara Lodge was perfect. Service was exquisite and helped us plan safari at Udawalawa park and transport to Yala park and Ella on departure day."

"We knew this would be an adventure in the jungle without normal comforts but this was really disappointing. The tent were generally quite dirty but the main problem is the only toilet on the whole site is in your own tent and out tent smelt of sewage so badly we left after one night as we could not stand another night there. There were also a million insects including a giant millipede as the zips do not completely seal off tent. Then the bar was not operating as their licence has expired. The bbq we really looked forward to was also really poor as we were sat on our own away from main area and it was completely cold by the time it got to us although other guests sat in main food area said same thing. Food came one hour late and as no access to any other food on site (they have no cafe) and nearby town is far away it seems they have you trapped as the breakfast we paid 30 dollars for and ate on safari consisted of some fruit and white bread sandwiches which were not that tasty. I do not normally complain but for the cost of dinner and breakfast being very high and feeling quite trapped with options then this seemed poor. The staff were friendly as per normal but you need to be warned it is overpriced, poorly run and very rough experience for us as a family. "

"Room very clean and good stock of toiletries including bath robe and slippers. Coffee making machine + coffee pods as an extra to normal supply of teas and coffees in sachets. We had a suite which was excellent with a lot of space and facilities including iron/ ironing table. Large bailcony with loungers+ towels. Breakfast buffet style - reasonable choice. Large hotel, staff generally helpful but service therefore less personal. My suitcase flew off the shuttle as maybe not placed correctly and was badly scratched. No apology. "

"Had an excellent stay at the property, staff were amazing and had everything we needed, everything was well maintained, pool was great, highlight was the safari which we booked through the property. Would definitely recommend staying here. "

"We were stunned by everything at Jetwing Kaduruketha. Our Villa was perfect. Spotlessly clean with a gorgeous view over the paddy fields. The service was unobtrusive but excellent. The food exceptional and our butler (who we called Can Do because he could do everything) was special. We will long remember him and his smile. We learned that most of the staff come from the local village & you could feel their happiness & camaraderie in being there. We cycled to the village where the local shopkeeper insisted on giving us a coconut from his garden and visited the local Buddhist monastery where we were also made very welcome. We walked & saw incredible birds with our guide. The peacocks, land monitors & weaver birds were all around us. If only every hotel could be as exceptional as this one is."

"very good"