Sigiriya hotels & places to stay

The architecture and design of the hotel rooms, main building and whole site is well thought through and stunning in its layout. It combines the best of contemporary with the best of Sri Lanka, effortlessly managing to capture the two in one hotel. The main building is modern but it does not lose sight of the most important aspects. The Spa is a traditional Sri Lankan building, as is the Sri Lankan 5 course tasting menu, some accommodation features luxury wooden huts, fully air-conditioned in something unique and different. The best way to sum up this place is the view as you reach the reception area and overlooks the stunning pool with the clearest and most scenic view of Sigiriya Rock.

This hotel is a legendary hotel in Sigiriya area, and most famous for its Sigiriya Rock view directly from its swimming pool. The Standard Room we stayed in is also nice, although it is quite obvious that certain parts of the room are aging and therefore require renovation. The bathroom is newly renovated, as it looks new and modern, with powerful shower and stable hot water. Guests who stay at this hotel most likely will need to have dinner at hotel, because there is virtually no good restaurant nearby as Sigiriya is a very small village. Food for both dinner and breakfast is very nice, with a great selection of both western and Sri Lankan food. We arrived very late in the afternoon, so we had little chance to spend time at the swimming pool that offers amazing view of the Sigiriya Rock. Therefore, it is advisable that those who would like to stay at this hotel to arrive around noon or early afternoon, and then spend the rest afternoon at their swimming pool.

We stayed for a night in order to go up Sigiriya very early in the morning, which it was perfect for as literally around the corner. Also right next to a whole strip of restaurants which was very convenient. It's beautifully decorated in colonial style. We booked it as was much cheaper than some other hotels in the area but honestly don't know why as really was lovely! Having since traveled around Sri Lanka it was one of our favourites & really think it needs to increase its price for what you get. Staff also very friendly. Note: you need to book driver accommodation in advance though as can be fully booked. Only downside is shower didn't drain well at all, but think this is something that they are working on.

We stayed here on our first night in Sri Lanka and after a long and hot day of travelling it was an absolute delight to be able to have our first night in such a lovely spot on the lake with lots of wildlife. We enjoyed the pool and the rooms were great with an enormous bed, seperate lounge area and big bathroom. We were exhausted so had room service for dinner which was tasty but could not compare to the amazing breakfast buffet. We stuck to the Sri Lankan food and it was a great introduction to the tasty food we had to look forward to during our trip. The location was perfect too as it was close to Dambulla and Sigiriya.

We found a really good deal on Agoda which meant we were able to book in for 3 nights, we normally stick to more modest accommodation as we travel for longer periods (Sri Lanka for 3 weeks this trip) so we found this place to be absolute paradise. The location is perfect to visit the surrounding sights (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwu) and the hotel itself has a beautiful setting on the lake, the grounds are great to walk around and relax in and the pool is nice also. We hired bikes for 300rps and cycled the lake which was lovely. We didn't have time to use the tennis or badminton but the facilities are of a very high standard. Food was good but not great and the prices were as we expected for this style of hotel, some good options though that would cater for most tastes. We booked our own tours out on the streets as the prices linked to the hotel were expensive. We've travelled the world a few times in many many countries but this hotel is in the top 3. That said we would never have come here at normal price!

Signature = (luxury?) part of Amaya Lake. Fantastic room (for 3 persons, incl teenage daughter), in splendid gardens at lakeside, with plenty of birds & some small wildlife. Nice pools : 1 big (Amaya Lake?) and 1 a bit calmer (Signature?) Nice main restaurant (buffet), and also a very romantic (Signature side?) à la carte at poolside (with stars in the sky & in the pool) WiFi was 'OK, not fantastic' (or is that fantastic ;-) ?) A pitty we only booked 2 nights, I would have stayed longer, yet our round trip planning was booked. Perhaps (one of) the best hotels in Sri Lanka.

IS a really nice hotel, very close to Dambulla Cave Temple and not far fromo Sigiriya so location is very good. The rooms are very nice, the food in the restaurant is good and the personal probably one of the nicest we saw in Sri Lanka. They will help you, will recommend you. The Room was big, nice and all is quiet nee with a nice shower and bath in the bathroom. We felt really comfortable.

After staying in a lot of budget accommodation on Sri Lanka this hotel was a welcome luxury. The pool was huge and our children enjoyed it very much. Head of Food and Beverage had outstanding customer service and made us feel so welcome. We ended up staying an extra day. Only criticism is that the room wasn’t serviced daily and supplies of coffee, toilet paper, etc. were not replenished. I am not sure if this is normal practice in Sri Lanka. Hotel Manager and staff in general were accommodating, so I am sure that they would have resupplied if we had have asked.

i have been living in sri lanka for about 6 months and a friend came to visit. during his stay, we did some traveling around the country. our last two nights were spent at the jetwing vil uyana. i had booked a "standard" room, which is different from the bungalow type rooms that are more common on the premises (and more expensive). our "standard" room was a great value and was anything but standard. the room was beautiful and large with comfortable beds. the bathroom was a beautiful open space with a great soaking tub and wonderful open air rain shower. each room feels secluded and is surrounded by the natural environment. this is a very peaceful and tranquil location. i think nature lovers will really appreciate it. the food was not cheap but very good. very high quality and some of the best i've had in sri lanka. the pool and common areas were also very comfortable and inviting.

This is a beautiful resort and all rooms are massive villas with private plunge pools. The staff are wonderful and always smiling and happy. Close to Sigiriya and Minnelya for day trips. You get around this massive resort on free bicycles. The pool is lovely set right into the bush surrounds with hammocks and a bar next to it. It felt so peaceful. Breakfast was the best I have had anywhere in Sri Lanka. Would highly recommend this hotel which is normally expensive in peak season but if you go in Sept you can get some great deals.! Check it out.

This hotel had the best accommodation we stayed at during our two week tour in Sri Lanka. The hotel's setting with beautiful flowers and a lake and views of the Sigiriya rock is spectacular. The tastefully furnished individual bungalows offer privacy, and comfort. The staff were very helpful and the hotel offers various ayurvedic services, too. Dining was superb, great value for money. The local sights are 15 minutes walking distance from the hotel.

Our 3 night stay at Kumbukgaha couldn't have been more perfect. The staff were all wonderful, incredibly friendly and very helpful. The room was huge and really lovely with a very comfortable bed. The outdoor bathroom was great. We went at the start of the rainy season and enjoyed a couple of warm showers in the pouring rain. The pool was great, and we especially enjoyed having a swim surrounded by a few monkeys in the trees. Breakfast was great and very filling, and the 4 course dinner was fantastic - a different option to choose from each night for the main course. The location was perfect for us. It was so quiet being off the beaten track and very relaxing after our week and half of travelling around Sri Lanka. The hotel organised a tuk tuk driver for us for our two trips out; one to Sigiriya rock (2500 rupees for round trip) and Polonoruwa (5000 rupees for round trip). All in all this stay was our highlifht in Sri Lanka and we couldn't recommend it enough!!!

Plus: Pool area (although king kong increases the theme park feeling), staff is super friendly, food is truly one of the best I had in Sri Lanka (just don't take ice cream which is crystalized because of melting/refreezing Negative: Bathroom is Spartan (I didn't shower for two days...) and needs paint (felt unclean as a consequence, next to the two day resident giant bug in the shower corner...), a lot in construction (however doesn't bother), please stop burning your waste (smelled like burnt plastic while we were sitting next to the pool, lasted only a short buy memorable half hour) I would come again first for the food, then the location and finally the beautiful pool area. Just upgrade your bathrooms

The little resort is a nicely maintained paradise with ecological background. It consists of several high level bungalows in a large garden, which are cleaned twice a day and give you a homely jungle feeling. There are many animals (wild monkeys, birds, lizards, peacocks, chickens, etc...) and the casual elefant (once a year (,-)) coming by in front of your terrace or the cool pool and you could stay there alone for 2 weeks without getting bored. The cooks are doing an awesome job in preparing 3-star cuisine with the home-grown vegetables and try always to give you new insights in the local plants and how to cook them. Its also very interesting to visit the friendly gardener and let him show you herbs and plants, which are on your plate in the evening. Best food on our three weeks journey through Sri Lanka for a very low price if I consider the level. But there are many more things to do. The local Naturalist Dhilip De Alwis will take you on an early morning stroll with bird watching in the area around the near lake. We saw many species (Hawk-Eagle, Sea-Hawk, Oriole, Kingfisher....) Just check out his photographs on National Geographic to get a first impression. The manager is also very helpful in organising trips to the National Parks (e.g. Elephants in Minneriya) or to the historical sites of the Cultural Triangle for a reasonable price. One member of the staff, Kushan, was doing Tuktuk-tours with us to Dambulla and Pidurangala Rock (Skip Sigiriya and climb Pidurangala if you are physically fit enough, much better!). He was very helpful and friendly and it was always nice to have him around. Thank you very much for an awesome stay! Johanna & Florian

We are staying for 3 weeks in sri lanka and so far this is without a doubt THE BEST hotel we did. Its VERY clean everywhere, everything is Maitnanced well, pool is never overcrowed and staff is very friendly and helpful ! Breakfast is ok so is diner. Only thing would be the shower it was leaking and not much pressure but i'm thinking this is typical here we sax this litterally in Each hotel. Would definetly recommend this one!

I had a very pleasant stay at Fresco Water Villa. The room was very comfortable and modern in terms of layout and furniture. I was very pleased with the quality of the F&B offering at the hotel as well. The hotel is also only a 10 minute car ride away from the Sigiriya rock, the main tourist attraction in the area. Overall, I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone considering staying in the Sigiriya area.

We stayed 4 nights at Deer Park and used it as our base to travel out of. View to lake (tank) is beautiful and stunning in the evenings. Pool area was lovely with 2 large pools amidst lush green gardens. Staff were very helpful and went out of their way to make us comfortable. Rooms vary quite a bit, but we were lucky and were upgrdaed to one of the newest with great views - it was great. Good to check which room you book as some of the older ones are not so pleasant. Food from the reastuarant was usually very good (we had just one evening where we were not so impressed). Lots of monkeys around so good to keep all belongings indoors. Perhaps also worth noting that June and July can be quite windy in this part of Sri Lanka.

The resort was situated in quite a secluded location but it’s all good to get away from the noise and dust. Mosquito fogging was done regularly. The room was clean with all good amenities. Buffet breakfast and dinner were fantastic, dessert station had a good selection of pastries and they were all delectable! The serving staff were very attentive and efficient. A special shoutout to a front desk staff named Melanie, who has been very honest and helpful in providing useful information so we did not get ripped off by the local tuk tuk drivers. On the whole, The resort and their whole team of friendly staff made our last three days in Sri Lanka a memorable one.

We stayed in Cassandra for 3 nights and had the most fantastic experience due to the excellence of the staff of the hotel. In particular, the main manager, Shihan, could not do enough for us - nothing was too much trouble! He gave us great insight about the local area, best ways to see everything nearby in the most cost effective way as well as him allowing us to be shown how to make a Lentil Dahl by Chef Pryanthan (the most fantastic chef) and it was by far the best in all 15 we tried in Sri Lanka. The breakfast is also to die for - they can do wonderful things with eggs. Do not stay anywhere else as you will not find somewhere that is better run or is better value - plus it is very nice to be out of the centre of nearby towns surrounded by only the sounds of monkeys! It is the quality of the people and the management there that make it excellent - we felt it was really our home for a few days - well done and thank you to Shihan and Chef Pryanthan (sorry if misspelt!)! The hotel in itself has very modern rooms with luxurious fixtures and fittings (robes and slippers included) as well as a lovely setting and pool area. They can also organise very good value taxis/tuktuks for you.

We really liked this hotel. We are a family of six persons with both minor and big (adult) children and they all liked the place very much. The size of the rooms are quite large and the bathrooms are huge. Both hotel is really nicely decorated both inside and outside. The pool area is just next to the restaurant so we could watch the children swimming while we were eating or writing. We also had a small terrace where we could sit in the sun when it had disappeared from the pool area. The food was great too and the staff were really friendly, helpful and attentive. There were monkeys playing the tree just next to the pool which was great fun to watch especially for the kids. The location was convenient to the sights in the area (Cave Temple and Sigiriya), and at the same time it was placed far enough away from the road and the town so it was nice and quiet. The only minor positive thing to say (and it is really not that important) is that there is no circulation in the bathroom which makes it impossible to dry swimwear and towels there. Another thing we missed was a cold beer. We never really found out what the policy was - there was no alcohol at all on the menu card, nevertheless the owner offered us a glass of really nice redwine the last day - on the house. So whether it was possible to buy any wine, we did not find out, but we really appreaciated it when it was offered to us. Thanks a lot for a great stay! We will definately recommend it to others, and we would be happy to return.

If you're after some peace and quiet and to enjoy the tranquility of nature, look not further. The villas are separated from one another which gives you the feeling of complete seclusion. I had the two-storey villa which had a balcony on the second floor with a view of the lake which was great to wake up to. Kumar and his team are incredibly friendly (as were most people that I encountered in Sri Lanka!), and were particularly helpful in arranging the best mode of transport to my next destination. I will certainly stay again on my next trip to the area and would certainly recommend this to fellow travellers looking for peace and quiet.

All tho we had a pleasant enough stay this place is not for everyone. We had a trouble finding it and couldn't ring for directions as agoda didn't provide us with the phone number of the property. Location is quite remote so it depends what are you looking for. Rooms are spacious, unique and clean however I found them bit too dark. Pool area was bit too shady for my likes as well and could do with a little bit of love. The staff was absolutely fantastic and it was the highlight of my stay, the food was extraordinary. I would recommend if you are looking for a quiet place away from the crowd.

Arrived to a friendly welcome, given a cold flannel ,drink and asked to light the " candles. Check in quite quick and hassle free . Location was in a wonderful setting . Room, a big let down ,even being very big ,with working Air Con. Firstly thr he view from balcony is non existent ,due the the tree branches ,not being trimmed back a little ,yes its in a Jungle setting,but if you lived here, you would trim them a little .Secondly attention to Detail,, No tea spoon in room,so the jus got one from next room,now leaving that room without one ,Thirdly . TV far TOO small and too far away from bed from to hear .. ISwimming Pool unusable ,dirty water ,I informed front office at 16.50 on day of arrive and had to do do again at 13.30 next day ,so no swim possible ,due to going on a tour . Yes this hotel is only in its ' first season' ,only being open 5 months or so ,but it cannot justify its high charges,and not provide tte service , only around 5 rooms occupied,due to end if season, but no excuse for the non acceptable service, no one at pool bar , no drinks be seen, If I am paying 1 hundred dollars a night,then I really do expect to get my money worth,will I feel I did not ,the only redeeming feature, was the 2 young Ladies on reception,most helpful ,pleasant and a assest to hotel ,maybe these Ladies should be promoted, because they where the only ones with csnyvtrue understanding of " gursts' expectations and needs . I wish the hotel success ,a lovely setting ,but it needs to address it's policies and introduce done firm of refresher courses to its staff,but of MOST of all ' higher management' needs to rethink it's policies and training ,not acceptable for the current money charged . Overall ..A very disappointingly stay in a hotel which does not know it's own identify and it making many basic mistakes, tighing up the mistakes, and not by apologising ( which they never over pool) but by doing things before.they need to be reported .

If you want to enjoy sights like sigiriya, dambulla or polonnaruwa, but without the hustle - Rice villa is the place to be. Very nicely situated in a rice field, you can enjoy nature and tranquility. The owner can arrange easy transports to all the sights of the region as well as tranfer to colombo airport. THe staff is very friendly and we really felt at home; they where awesome with our kid (4 years old) and last but not least - Rice villa had hans down the best currys that we ate in Sri lanka. We stayed at many guesthouses and homestays with homecooked meals, but rice villa really had the best food.

One of the nicest places we have staying in Sri Lanka. The hotel is a 10/15 min walk from the town, but there is a 5min shortcut to the bus station. Hotel offers free transport into town, (if you don't want to eat dinner in the hotel) and to the Dambulla Caves. Breakfast is great and so was dinner. Rooms very clean. Staff are very friendly and advise on local attractions. But it was great to have a pool to relax in after cultural tours.

We stayed back in August, 2014. We arrived from Trinco.... enroute to Negombo to catch our flight back home. We wanted to stop in Dambulla, to visit the famous Dambulla Caves. Upon our arrival, we learned that the caves were close to 1.5 hours away and visiting them would be impossible. Resigned that we were not seeing the caves this trip to Sri Lanka, we settled in for a night, that proved to be an oasis of peace and solitude. From the moment we stepped onto the property..... we were in awe. The grounds, the modern style of the buildings, the amazing hill-top pool looking out toward coconut plantations; all were so very unexpected. We had stumbled upon a hotel,like non-other. The owners made us feel welcome and at home and sat and chatted with us upon arrival. The hotel managers (a husband and wife team) made our stay a delight. Local food was prepared with perfection .....with breakfast being our favourite ;-) The rooms were beautifully furnished and the grounds were like a botanical garden. Sadly, we could only stay one night yet it was a night, we will not soon forget. If you are looking for a retreat for a few days, to rest your tired soul and indulge in the pleasures of rest for the soul, then Brook Boutique is the oasis for you. We will most certainly return..... and for more than one night next time. Thanks to the staff for such a memorable stay.