Amba Yaalu - Thema Collection "The first women-led hotel in Sri Lanka"

Very Good

8.0

It was expected to be very good and it was, The location, room, food and facilities were great. The staff was very friendly and very helpful

− The pool was too open to the reception area/ Entrance, Maybe few trees to cover from the front would have had more privacy.

Luxe en oase van rust in de natuur

9.0

Zeer mooie accomodatie met groot verzorgd zwembad, moderne fitness, pooltafel, tafeltennis. Zeer ruime kamer, aangename badkamer met zeer goede en praktische douche. Comfortabele bedden en goede airco. Vanuit de kamer een uitzicht op de prachtige tuin met mangoboomgaard. Midden in de natuur met veel fauna en flora. Zeer vriendelijk personeel. Heel relaxe sfeer (pianomuziek op achtergrond vonden we top). Heel uitgebreid en lekker ontbijt (aanrader vinden we de buns zonder worst/curry, cupcakeje, oatmeal, cornflakes, muesli). Voor de luxe die je krijgt, vonden we de prijs-kwaliteit zeer goed. Uitstappen naar Pidurangala en Polonnaruwa vonden wij de moeite.

− Wij hadden heel graag een 10/10 gegeven, maar hebben een punt afgetrokken voor lunch/diner à la carte. Pizza, kip op club sandwich, gebakje bij avondeten en passievruchtensap (1x was het goed, de 2de maal leek het of er zout werd toegevoegd) vonden we minder. Het hotel ligt vrij afgelegen (ca 30 min van Sigiriya dorp), waardoor je niet snel elders gaat eten. Ik zou aanraden om de lokale curd te serveren bij het ontbijt (deze is zeer lekker en lijkt erg op yoghurt die we in Europa eten), ook de (zeer lekkere) buns zonder worst/curry standaard aan te bieden en bij de Thaise curry te vermelden op de kaart dat deze zeer pikant is.

Geweldig, ben je in de buurt dan zeker gaan!

10.0

Wat een prachtige locatie, het personeel is super gastvriendelijk, een heerlijke spa en lekker eten! Het is een oase van rust tussen de mango bomen. Wij hadden 15 minuten na aankomst al bedacht dat we langer wilde blijven, zo fijn is het! Gerund door vrouwen! Als je in de buurt bent zeker gaan!

Enchanting lakefront property with easy access to Sri Lankan history and heritage

10.0

Having stayed in another Thema Collection property (Waraka Hotel in Udawalawe), my wife was looking forward to this stay in a relatively new property in the Dambulla-Sigiriya region. I had read the positive reviews, but WOW. From the moment we walked into the grand lobby with a giant, open, wall-free view of the pool, garden, Kandalama Lake, and hills, we experienced magic. The claim of being "the first women-led hotel in Sri Lanka" is absolutely true. You notice immediately that, except for the gardeners, every staff member is a woman. And that probably explains why the property is managed so efficiently. ;-) Every person you meet greets you with a smile and is quick on her feet. The room is spacious and comfortable, the amenities are great, and the food is good. The pool is pleasant too. The two highlights of our stay: - Nature and birds, throughout the garden and by the lake, especially at sunrise. We photographer many small species we didn't see elsewhere. - The room technology. We're from the US, but I'm going to look for fixtures I saw in our hotel room when I return home. For example, the shower fixture is awesome. Also, the blinds are genius. Nearby Dambulla Cave Temple is a must-see for Buddhists and archaeology buffs. And Pidurangala Rock offers breathtaking views at the end of a rugged but interesting trail.

− I can't think of a single thing.

Guest review

10.0

The food was amazing with several courses for both breakfast and dinner. The staff were incredible from first greetings to arrival to goodbyes. They all adored our daughter and even had a private tour with the hotel's naturalist to a cocktail making course for my wife. The balcony spa baths were also great.

− The double beds could be improved which were 2 single beds joined.

See above.

10.0

This is an exceptionally enjoyable place to stay. A peaceful and very attractive setting, spacious modern rooms with very good facilities, large and very well-positioned pool, excellent dining area and food options, and friendly and efficient staff who are readily available. We greatly enjoyed the two excursions arranged for us by the resident naturalist Sithumi, who was a very well-informed and sensitive guide. Julian and Carolyn

− Nothing.