Our stay began with a small surprise, as we hadn’t realised there were some renovations taking place at the property when we booked. The view from our first room wasn’t ideal, as it faced the construction area, but the staff were very accommodating and quickly moved us to another room without any issue. The owner and team were kind and welcoming, always doing their best to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Although their English is limited, their communication style can seem a little direct at first, which might feel unfamiliar. However, it soon becomes clear that this is simply their way of expressing themselves, and once you get used to it, their genuine warmth truly shines through. The property has great potential, and it’s clear that the team are working hard to make it even better. The highlight of our stay was definitely the brand-new pool — we were actually the very first guests to swim in it, which made it extra special! The location is peaceful and remote, making it a lovely spot to relax for a day or two, especially if you’re planning to do the Unawatuna safari. If you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing stay away from the busier tourist areas, this place is a wonderful choice.

I think the additional 10% service charge on the food menu is unnecessary. It would be better to include it in the total price so the menu shows rounded, all-inclusive prices — it feels more transparent and less confusing that way.

I had the pleasure of spending a night at Hanthara Udawalawe Hotel, and it was truly a delightful experience. The property is beautifully designed, featuring a well-maintained swimming pool and a serene natural setting that creates a perfect atmosphere for relaxation and peace of mind. The dining experience was excellent, with food and beverages served at the highest quality. The staff were exceptionally professional, attentive, and friendly, which made the stay even more memorable. For anyone planning a visit to Udawalawe, I can wholeheartedly recommend this hotel. Whether for a short stay or a longer getaway, it is an ideal choice that offers comfort, quality, and genuine hospitality.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Good location (ideal for visiting Udawalawe NP) and nice area with big enough functional rooms, good family rooms with 2 double beds. It would have been helpful to have a dedicated space or rack for storing suitcases. Breakfast was very nice, food sometimes took a bit long. The young chef was very motivated and they really are eager to take good care of the clients.

sometimes we felt a bit overwhelmed with the caring and asking, especially because there were not a lot of other guests during the time we visited, I rather prefer a bit more space and not being disturbed in the room with the question what we would want for dinner, even thought it was meant nicely,

The staff were amazing so helpful and couldn’t do enough for us. The food was so tasty. We were right in the jungle and it felt like a paradise. We were so close to both the safari and the elephant orphanage which they organised for us to go too. Amazing stay would love to go back !

**"An Exceptional Stay at Hantara – Highly Recommended!"** We had a wonderful time at Hantara! A special thanks to **Shanaka and Randika** for their warm hospitality—they made our stay safe, serene, and truly relaxing. The rooms were **clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed**, ensuring a cozy experience. The food was **absolutely fantastic**—authentic Sri Lankan cuisine at its best! We enjoyed **every meal** (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and were impressed by the quality and flavors. The staff also helped arrange our **safari experience**, and our jeep driver, **Dhananjay**, was excellent—knowledgeable and professional. If you're visiting **Udawalawe**, we **highly recommend** Hantara for its **delicious food, peaceful ambiance, and incredibly kind staff**. A perfect getaway! **Thank you for an unforgettable stay**

Hantara was a great base camp for us while we explored further afield and much more than a place to stay for going on Safari. Luxury rooms, outdoor showers, and the best mattresses were all bonuses at this price point. The staff and owners went out of their way to help us plan our itinerary, organise a car, and a personal driver for a 5-day extended trip to Ella, Nuwara Eliya, and climb Adams Peak. We were so warmly welcomed back after our trip that we felt like coming home to old friends. Hantara is a beautiful oasis of genuine old-fashioned hospitality and a rare find on the busy tourist trail. Personalised service, great food, and a quiet atmosphere made it a very special place - not to mention their kindness organising a cake and special breakfast for my son's 21st birthday. Hantara was the icing on a very special occasion! We can't wait to return. Thank you, Gayan, Ishara, Sharuka, and Randy, for looking after us so generously. See you soon!

We didn't like leaving!

First of all I would like to start from the location, Its right on the bottom of the Udawalawe reservoir, when your staying in "Hantara Udawalawe" a stroll on the Reservoir bund is something you must do, a small walk from the hotel will make you reach the Dam and the sunset is something that will blow your mind and the walk might be amused with the birds and animals you see. the resort is a hidden gem and its shady and full of trees you can relax in the garden or in the private balcony that's in all three cabanas, the beds are very comfortable and relaxing, i did sleep well and the air condition of the room works well. the outdoor shower took my heart, it was like having bath in the nature. the resort surroundings are astonishing and loved the stay and would recomend and will come again for sure. Food was in next level the Grilled chicken was something I enjoyed and the rice and curry was fabulous as well, they make according to your requirement of your spice level, or any request will be honoured with respect. the environment of the restaurant was over whelming. the resort organizes Safari's for a good price and they provide good drivers who knows the park well and what to see in the park, they have a good eye for birds and animals, I recommend a 6 hrs safari than, a 3 hrs safari, as you will have enough time to explore the park and to see more animals. The Staff is very friendly and helpful and they will guide you with recommendations and options that you need for your vacation, they will help you out to pick your food if and will explain them well, transport will be organized by the hotel if required and the price was affordable, if you tell them where your going next they will let you know what to do and how to go. it was a pleasant and a memorable stay and will recommend to any one who's planning to go to Sri Lanka, and most definitely i will come again to enjoy the "Hantara Udawalawe" Hospitality.

None to be mentioned.

The woody Nature friendly environment was awesome, and the surroundings were calming and relaxing. Nice beds comfortable mattresses, had a good sleep, the rooms were cozy and the feature was the outdoor shower and the bathroom with wc, need to relax on the room its an ideal place as it has your own private balcony as well. Chef Heshan's food was tasty and flavourful, it was great dining in Hantara Udawalawa. You can get a lot of helpful information from the hotel, what to do and where to go or about the safari and the Elephant Transit Home timings and if you need they'll arrange a tuk tuk for you to go there, if you need transportation they will get you that arranged as well for a fair price. safari they arranged was fabulous and gave a fair rate than the outside prices, you can do the 6hrs safari which is the best and recommended or if you don't have much time can do a 3hrs safari, if you need the breakfast on the go, they'll do you a picnic pack early morning 5.30 am to take with you on the Safari. I will recommend Hantara Udawalawa for anyone who likes a place to have a time of your life, a memorable vacation. This was the best stay. Thank you Hantara and the staff.

I loved everything and couldn't notice any thing bad. It was a great stay, enjoyed throughout and had a great time.

We had a wonderful stay at Hantara Udawalawa during our two nights in Udawalawe. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the hospitality and care provided by the owner, his wife, and their attentive team. The owner is an honest and kind man who, along with his wife, genuinely wants to ensure every guest has a memorable stay. Their manager is exceptionally detail-oriented, always smiling, and consistently offering excellent recommendations to enhance our experience. The rooms were spotlessly clean and spacious.The level of service provided was truly 5-star. They arranged a taxi service for us in a spotless car with professional driving, ensuring a very comfortable ride at reasonable prices (From Ella to Udawalawe and from Udawalawe to Mirissa). Additionally, they organized a safari for us at a great price, and we had an amazing experience with our driver and guide, Dananjaya, who made the trip even more enjoyable. The food was another highlight of our stay. Breakfast was always fresh and tasty, and we chose to have lunch and dinner at the hotel both days. Every meal was absolutely delicious and exceeded our expectations. One thing that stood out was how thoughtful they were with our baby. They always made sure she had everything she needed, which made our stay even more comfortable and stress-free as a family. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Udawalawe. The warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail made our stay unforgettable.

What a hidden gem of Udawalawe! The value for money is incredible - clean air conditioned room, shower with hot water, the property is located off the main road in the middle of the jungle which makes it perfect if you like falling asleep surrounded by the sounds of nature. The staff is incredibly helpful and welcoming - on the day when I arrived they walked me down the dam to see some animals before the sunset, cooked delicious dinner and helped me to organise the safari next morning (they also packed a very nice breakfast pack to take on my trip). 100% recommend!