Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Beautiful garden
Friendly staff
Cons:
Food quality
Cleanliness issues

Categories

Cleanliness
8.04
Mentioned issues with cleanliness, including a cockroach found and stained linens.
Service
9.51
Overall positive sentiment towards the service staff and quick resolution of issues.
Location
9.55
Located close to Udawalawe National Park, mentioned positively.
Room Quality
9
Rooms were described as clean and comfortable with no major complaints.
Amenities
9.03
Amenities included a lovely garden and good pool facilities with room for improvement.
Value for Money
8.49
Pricing perceived as fair, but some felt value diminished due to negatives.
Food and Beverage
8.04
Some reviews indicated food quality issues and slow service.
Overall Experience
9.51
A generally positive experience with only a few minor issues noted.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-22 12:11

Property Description

Beautiful Gardens and Relaxing Atmosphere
Kalu's Hideaway Udawalawe is set amidst 5 acres of beautifully manicured gardens, offering a serene and tranquil environment for guests to unwind and relax during their stay.

Convenient Location and Nearby Attractions
Situated just a short distance from Udawalawe National Park and other local attractions, the hotel's location provides easy access to explore the wonders of the area, making it an ideal choice for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Comfortable Accommodation and Fine Dining
The hotel offers well-appointed rooms with private balconies, comfortable beds, and spacious interiors, ensuring a cozy and pleasant stay for guests. Indulge in a variety of culinary delights at the on-site restaurant, serving a range of cuisine options to satisfy every palate.

Experience the essence of tranquility and luxury at Kalu's Hideaway Udawalawe. Book your stay now for a memorable getaway.

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:30 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 6 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 6 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 7 years old to 11 years old stay for US$12.50 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children from 7 years old to 11 years old stay for US$12.50 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    People 12 years old and over stay for US$25 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.9
Based on 141 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.04
Service: 9.51
Location: 9.55
Room Quality: 9
Amenities: 9.03
Value for Money: 8.49
Food and Beverage: 8.04
Overall Experience: 9.51
S
Sajda • family_with_children • lk
8
2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
T
Teunz • solo_traveller • nl
10
Pros:

This is a wonderful retreat near the Udawalawe park and village. It is large and quiet. There is a nice pool, a butterfly garden and more extensive garden.
The staff is friendly and professional, not pushy.
The rooms (2p) were good with AC and large beds.
The restaurant served a good dinner and breakfast.
The retreat's owner is a former professional cricket player who came by to have a friendly chat. We wished we would be staying longer.

Cons:

Before arrival, they did not respond to a question via the Booking.com messaging.

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
E
Emily • solo_traveller • gb
8
Young family
Pros:

Impressive open plan safari lodge building, with jazz playing quietly at dinner, and attentive but not overbearing staff. Off season and we were one of only three groups of guests. Probably wouldn't take young children here again just because of the relaxed ambiance, although staff were lovely with them, and made packed fruit and cake for our children for their safari jeep breakfast. Food was good, and I would say in keeping with tourist pricing. Although beware the spicy ketchup if you have young children ;-)

Cons:

We were caught out at check in (after losing my purse) when we were asked to pay 10,000 rupees of our stay in cash. There was no explanation and no negotiating this, with the nearest atm 8km away. The whole stay felt quite awkward thereafter. There was not time to get to the ATM after our safari, so we were unable to pay the elephant transit home entry for the morning feeding and missed it completely as a result.

Room was clean, some mouse poo in bathroom on one towel, but probably can't be helped as this was an detached garden room. And we were here for the animals after all, big and small!

2026-07-13 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • solo_traveller • gb
9
A wonderful tucked-away slice of heaven!
Pros:

Beautifully designed and a great location. The staff were very helpful too. Something of an eco-hotel, with a large kitchen garden which supplies all of the fresh vegetables and much of the fruit. The pool is lovely too. Highly recommended.

Cons:

The non-local food was a little bit hit and miss, but more fool us for even thinking of ordering a club sandwich in such a foodie country!

2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
S
Stephanie • extended_group • gb
7
2026-06-26 • via Nuitee
M
Montserrat • couple • es
7
2026-05-16 • via Nuitee
S
Sally • family_with_children • gb
9
Short and sweet.
Pros:

Absolute stunning garden and pool area. We met Kalu which was lovely. This was just a short stopover for visit g the orphanage and the national park but we wish we could have stayed longer.

Cons:

Breakfast was a bit limited as the hotel was quiet but the food we had was lovely.

2026-04-22 • via Nuitee
K
Kevin • solo_traveller • fr
10
Parfait endroit pour se relaxer
Pros:

Le calme et le design de l’hôtel
Le jardin et la piscine
Les repas sont excellents avec bcp de choix.

Cons:

Tout était parfait

2026-04-11 • via Nuitee
• family_with_children • ch
9
2026-04-08 • via Nuitee
N
Nicole • couple • it
10
Pros:

This is a very beautiful accommodation.

The staff was very friendly and welcoming throughout our stay. Our room was spacious and featured a huge terrace with a stunning view, which we absolutely loved.

We also booked two massages, which were definitely worth it – such a relaxing experience.

The food was very good, and everything was well organized. They even arranged a safari for us, and when we returned later than planned in the morning, they kindly waited with breakfast for us, which we really appreciated.

We would highly recommend staying here.

2026-03-29 • via Nuitee
L
Lohit • family_with_children • in
8
Pros:

Large and spacious rooms. Huge open landscape within, separate kids pool, gazebos, open dining area, Sri Lankan food option is very good, overall good food

Cons:

Contacting reception from room sometimes goes unanswered

2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
F
Fenella • couple • au
9
Relaxing
Pros:

Beautiful place, everything about the place made you feel calm

2026-03-21 • via Nuitee
H
Helen • couple • gb
8
Enjoyable, helpful staff
Pros:

Great pool. Eco and butterfly garden - great touch

Cons:

A few bugs but you are in the jungle

2026-03-21 • via Nuitee
N
Natalie • extended_group • gb
6
Very convenient for a one night stay if you want to see the elephants
Pros:

Nice to have two double beds in the room. Staff are friendly. Lovely sitting areas and swing chairs near the river. Very close to the reserve so you can see the elephants.

Cons:

Food wasn't amazing - there is some way to go there but I don't think this would be too hard to remedy
Lounge area a bit dated but I didn't mind - reminded me of South African game reserve

2026-03-14 • via Nuitee
M
Marie-Caroline • couple • fr
6
Pas conseillé
Pros:

Grande chambre rien de plus

Cons:

Je me suis vraiment sentie comme un portefeuille ambulant
Demande de réservation de tuktuk pour dîner dans un autre hôtel - le prix était 5x plus cher que celui du retour (organisé par l’autre hôtel pourtant de meilleur standing)
Massages effectués avec des personnes complètement incompétentes pour un prix très cher et beaucoup plus cher que les prix du marché
Très désagréable

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
H
HENRY • couple • gb
8
Pros:

We loved it all apart from we thought the à la carte food was not good so maybe that should be improved going forward, thanks

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
E
Emma • couple • gb
6
Ok for convenience to safari
Pros:

Nice pool area, safari near by and good safari driver

Cons:

Limited options for food, over priced for buffet, meals had hidden tax and service charge. For breakfast had to get buffet no alternatives. Lacked atmosphere

2026-01-29 • via Nuitee
J
Joshua • couple • gb
10
Amazing Safari Accomodation - Super Friendly Staff
Pros:

The property was beautiful, lovely outdoor lights throughout the resort, the huts were beautiful and ours had a private pool too which was just perfect. The whole resort is surrounded by an electric fence which gave us reassurance given the area we were staying in. The staff were great and couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly. Extremely accommodating and I would recommend this place to anyone. We will definitely stay here again one day. The stay included breakfast, lunch and dinner too, as well as entertainment (which we didn’t know about) by local dancers for the evening meal. Lovely surprise!!

Cons:

Nothing!!

2026-01-17 • via Nuitee
D
David • solo_traveller • gg
9
2026-01-13 • via Nuitee
L
Lynne • couple • gb
10
A wonderful luxury safari lodge
Pros:

Everything! The luxury safari lodge architecture with the wonderful garden packed with a massive variety of plants and a butterfly garden. The staff were really lovely snd very helpful. They arranged a private safari jeep for us and the guide was excellent giving us information about all the animals and the numerous elephants. He also drove very well and did not crowd the animals. The food was great at breakfast and dinner. The room was cool and very clean.

Cons:

Our room did not have an outside facing window - just in to a corridor.

2026-01-08 • via Nuitee