Riverside Hotel

Hotels
7.8 (19 reviews)
475/A/1, Negombo Rd, Dadugama Thotupala, Ja-ela , Katunayake , lk

Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
BBQ facilities
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Large pool
Cons:
Unclean rooms
Remote location with no food options

Categories

Cleanliness
5.65
Numerous complaints about dirtiness and lack of cleanliness in rooms.
Service
9.99
Staff were very nice and helpful, showing warmth despite the property's issues.
Location
7.66
Hotel is in a remote area, making access to food and amenities challenging.
Room Quality
6.61
Rooms are described as shabby, with broken beds and unclean linens.
Amenities
8.64
Some amenities like the pool are available, but cleanliness issues persist.
Value for Money
9.6
Not suitable for a hotel context, feels like low-budget accommodation.
Food and Beverage
5.65
No food or drink options available, adding to dissatisfaction.
Overall Experience
8.62
Overall dissatisfaction due to cleanliness and service aspects.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-22 11:34

Property Description

Picturesque Setting: Enjoy the serene garden, terrace, and shared lounge at Riverside Hotel in Katunayake.

Comfortable Accommodation: Relax in air-conditioned rooms with city views, private bathrooms, and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and free WiFi.

Convenient Services: Benefit from a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, and delicious breakfast options including Full English/Irish, American, and Asian cuisines.

Book your stay at Riverside Hotel now for a peaceful getaway!

Check-in and check-out hours:

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Parking

    No parking available.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    People no matter the age stay for free 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.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.8
Based on 19 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.65
Service: 9.99
Location: 7.66
Room Quality: 6.61
Amenities: 8.64
Value for Money: 9.6
Food and Beverage: 5.65
Overall Experience: 8.62
R
Rose family_with_children be
5
2025-08-15 via Nuitee
C
Caroline family_with_children gb
1
Be warned!
Pros:

We booked a night at this hotel back in June but we didn't end up staying. It seems like the property is more focused on the sports facilities because the rooms was unclean, the bed was broken and the fittings were shabby. We thought we might stay to use the pool, which is big, but the stagnant water didn't look clean and I didn't want to put the children in it. The staff were very nice and even helped us load the luggage into the taxi!

Cons:

See above. The hotel is also in the middle of nowhere so we couldn't even get food.

2025-08-12 via Nuitee
J
Jérôme family_with_children fr
7
Pros:

Hotel surprenant,
C est un site de fitness qui loue des chambres.
Pour le moment et à la saison fin juillet celà n est pas vraiment fonctionnel. Pour attendre son avion la veille ça fait le job. Les propriétaires sont sympa, mais faut plus le voir comme de la chambre d hôtes que de l hôtellerie.

Cons:

Personne à l acceuil, pas de petit déjeuné proposé, équipement dégradé.

2025-08-08 via Nuitee
H
Hasanali family_with_children gb
1
Even if it was free, I would not stay at this hotel.
Pros:

Booking.com website. Going on to show on map and clicking the different hotels near airport.

Cons:

Everything !!!! Dirty had mold, even the pillows had mold. Mosquitos. There is no proper reception just a desk, staff only spoke Tamil, no where to get food or drinks in the hotel.
The reviews on this hotel I believe are all fake.
No one in their right mind would give 10 let a lone even 1
Hence to say we did not stay at this hotel.

2025-07-07 via Nuitee
G
Glen young couple au
1
Unexpected disappointment
Pros:

This property did not meet expectations and would be more accurately described as budget backpacker accommodation, rather than a hotel. The room was not clean, with visibly dirty bed linen and threadbare towels. Its location beside a river also raised concerns about mosquitoes, though we did not stay long enough to confirm.
The photographs online were misleading and did not reflect the actual condition of the property. The overwhelmingly positive reviews seemed unreliable, and we immediately sought alternative accommodation. Fortunately, the Radisson was only 400 metres away.
The only positive note was the genuine warmth of the manager who checked us in. Given the evident resource constraints and the likelihood that this hotel operates under difficult conditions, we chose not to request a refund. We felt they needed the money more than we did.

Cons:

The most disappointing aspect was the lack of cleanliness in the room. While I’m comfortable with basic facilities, cleanliness is a fundamental expectation—regardless of the price point or location.

2025-06-27 via Nuitee
A
Amanda young couple ch
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Very kind owner! location is very convenient and safe. Helped arrange a driver to whole colombo city.

2025-06-15 via Nuitee
A
Anah young couple dk
10
Exceptional
Pros:

excellent place. convenient for all travels. service is best.
they have a big pool and biggest lake goes infront.

2025-05-09 via Nuitee
S
Sunny young couple fi
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Set in a beautiful location, the owners were super kind and helpful. the work is going on there but rooms were completed and pool was great.

2025-03-11 via Nuitee
T
Teena young couple fr
10
recommended for all travellers
Pros:

Amazing location, beautiful view from the balcony, nice pool and breathtaking lake view.

2025-02-10 via Nuitee
R
Rachel young couple us
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Very good food, comfy beds, rooms cleaned regularly. the pool enough for more than 50 people to enjoy.

2025-01-31 via Nuitee
A
Adrianus young couple nl
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Relaxing and secluded place. a/c worked well. rooms were large, could accommodate more. Tasty meals. Highly recommended.

2025-01-26 via Nuitee
W
Wim solo traveller nl
5
Passable
Pros:

When I arrived I was welcomed by the friendly owner of the place, who had just come back from Australia. He apologized in advance that he had found the hotel in a state that was less than he expected and gave me a chance to look at the room before paying (it was 10 pm though so it would be hard to go anywhere else). At a first glance the room was basic, but seemed ok enough for one night before a flight, and it had a good AC.

Cons:

Once in the room it was definitely clear that there is a lack of maintenance: mould spots, several leaking faucets, cob webs. However, most problematic to me was that the bed sheets had quite some stains and that with the general state of disrepair and (lack of) cleanliness I didn’t feel confident that I was sleeping in a clean bed. This kept me up, together with the karaoke party happening downstairs until late at night (which I thought was probably in honor of the owner’s return). Most surprising to me is that there were several 10-point reviews from European tourists, who stayed here in the days running up to my stay, and that the overall review score right now is 9.9. Either the previous guests must have much lower standards than me, or perhaps there are other rooms that are in a better state.

While I can definitely see the potential of the place, with the pool looking very nice and the area being very green, you should also be mindful of the many mosquitoes (near water) and the absence of any food offering, despite it being off the main road so nothing else is nearby.

2025-01-24 via Nuitee
M
Madison young couple de
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Great layout and very well equipped. Really accessible location. Very friendly and helpful staff. also very near to airport.

2025-01-22 via Nuitee
L
Lingstan young couple fi
10
Exceptional
Pros:

The room was clean, we stayed only one night but is was perfect for this short stay. I can recommend it for a longer stay too.
beds were comfortable, AC worked well

2025-01-21 via Nuitee
H
Hanzer review category business travellers nl
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Friendly and helpful staff. Superb location. room was very comfortable and very clean! biggest pool ever

2025-01-19 via Nuitee
R
Rick review category business travellers de
10
Exceptional
Pros:

excellent place. convenient for all travels. service is best. great value for money. Right next to the lake, very clean, cozy and comfortable.

2025-01-16 via Nuitee
C
Clinton review category business travellers ca
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Excellent budget accommodation in seeduwa. close to airport. Our double room was best and clean with fresh towels. The host was exceptionally friendly, helpful and attentive. He offered us complimentary tea and coffee at every opportunity and helped us plan the next few days of our trip.

2025-01-12 via Nuitee
P
Philip review category business travellers se
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Well maintained rooms with friendly staff. there was a big pool and had great fun. Good place to hold a beer in hand and enjoy the evening breeze. highly recommended for all kind of travelers.

2025-01-11 via Nuitee
N
Narththana review category business travellers lk
9
Superb
2024-12-24 via Nuitee