Hantara Udawalawa

Great hosts! Welcome drink and breakfast and an evening meal included in the price. We booked a safari through them to udawalawe np before we came. Beds and pillows were comfortable. Outside shower and toilet all clean. They are expanding as only have 4 units currently an a swimming pool is nearly complete (1 week).

My family and I stayed for one night at the Hantara Hotel as we needed nearby accommodation for our National Park safari. The setting of the hotel is absolutely stunning - in amongst nature with the wildlife, plenty of areas to walk around the hotel or sit and relax in a hammock. The facilities were comfortable and the cleanliness of the rooms was excellent. Oscar really made our stay enjoyable - he was very attentive, a really friendly and accommodating manager. The service and quality of the food were really stand out - Oscar and the chef are a credit to the hotel!
The only downside for us was that the pool was being renovated while we were staying there, so we couldn't go for a cooling dip after the safari, but we would most definitely go back to Hantara Hotel and hope to do so soon!!

It was a quiet and relaxing setting. We did the safari during the day and this was a good place to relax and rest. The staff were so friendly and welcoming.

A great home cooked traditional meal. The staff were great, they arranged our safari for us and ensured we had everything needed.

Virkelig et dejligt sted, hvis man skal besøge Udawalawe nationalpark. Hyggelige bungalows, som er flot indrettet og behagelige at opholde sig i.
Personalet er virkelig imødekommende, og står klar til at hjælpe med alt.
Det kan klart anbefales!!

The property is ideal for the Udawalawe park safari.

The host and the staff are really friendly are really friendly and polite.

The food is amazing,fresh made every day. It can be done without having much spices,if you are not a fan of spices.

You are in a corner of paradise with a lot of fauna.
We have absolute loved it.


The only small downside was the shower that didn't have hot water and water pressure was weak.

Staff were very helpful and went out of their way for us. Highly recommended.

Location: The hotel is located 15 minutes away from Udawalawe National Park. Be aware that the access road is unpaved, which can be challenging during bad weather. The small property has only 6 rooms. A significant drawback is the nearby club that plays loud music at night, making it difficult to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Room: Basic accommodation with two twin beds, an old cupboard, table, and an open-air bathroom. Major issues include:

A rat infestation - we had one actively running around our room and roof all night, making sleep impossible
Frequent power outages during the day
No air conditioning or Wi-Fi during blackouts, making the room uncomfortably hot in muggy weather

Safari: The hotel arranges safaris for 8500 LKR (3 hours). Unfortunately, our experience was ruined by an aggressive driver who constantly pressured us for tips from pickup through the entire tour.
Service: The hotel is severely understaffed with just one person handling all roles (manager, server, and housekeeper). This means you'll often have to search the property to find help, as there's rarely anyone at the front desk.

Dining: While the food is tasty, portion sizes are inconsistent. During our stay, portions varied significantly from meal to meal. Some drinks, advertised as fresh juice, were clearly not fresh.

Recommendation: Consider alternative accommodations if you value:

Peaceful nights
Reliable electricity
Professional service
Consistent meal portions
Pest-free rooms

Great location when visiting Udawalawe National Park. Friendly owners and good traditional Sri Lankan cuisine

Great location to Udawalawe National Park. Owners are very helpful and happy to organise transport and make suggestions regarding timings etc.
Very quiet spot. Fairly basic. Some great design ideas, execution seems to be missing the mark. Sheets had holes, as do the mossie nets. Comfy bed and good towels. Feel fans would have been a better product to install than aircons but that’s my preference. The outdoor shower, while being a great idea, was a total flop in the second room we were given because the water flow was insufficient to get it away from the wall meaning getting wet was a challenge. Would have been better with a bucket. Food was not wow - just average.

The Hantara lodges are close to the Udawalawal National Park and very convenient for safaris and the elephant orphanage.
The staff are very helpful and attentative. We stayed 2 nights with other guests staying one night.
Basic facilities which is great for a short time

Absolutely wonderful place to stay. Accomodation finish quite basic, but everything you need and good air con. Outdoor shower was great felt very unusual, and the views out to the trees are gorgeous. Staff were excellent hosts, very helpful and hospitable, and helped out with plans and safari etc. Food was quite basic but delicious. Loved the lodge in a rainforest vibes, would highly recommend for a stay before a Udawalawe safari, but make sure to stay 2 nights so you can wake up to the sound of wildlife and have breakfast on your balcony on the day you’re not upnearly for the safari. Best place I stayed in Sri Lanka, and good price as well!

We were so happy with this property. It is nice, fun, and clean. The perfect spot close to the park for a safari. The staff is very attentive and super nice! The food was fantastic! If you're going to be in the area you would do well to stay at this small, locally owned, experience!

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Hantara Udawalawa, and it was an experience that left a lasting impression on me. From the moment I arrived at this boutique hotel, I was greeted by friendly and attentive staff who made me feel welcome and at home.
The hotel's location is truly a gem, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature. The lush greenery and tranquil atmosphere provided the perfect setting for a peaceful getaway. The nearby Udawalawa National Park added to the allure, as I was able to witness the incredible wildlife that Sri Lanka is renowned for.
The accommodations at Hantara Udawalawa were simply superb. My room was spacious, and well-appointed, and clean. The comfortable bed ensured a restful sleep after a day of exploration. I particularly appreciated the attention to detail in the room's design, which combined modern amenities with touches of traditional Sri Lankan elements.
In conclusion, my experience at Hantara Udawalawa was truly unforgettable. The combination of beautiful surroundings, comfortable accommodations, and attentive service made it a standout choice for a memorable stay in Udawalawa, Sri Lanka. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a tranquil retreat in the midst of nature's wonders.

Beautiful spot to stay if you are doing a safari in Udawalawe. Excellent service, good dinner, really nice rooms with outdoor showers.

We owned the whole hotel! It was low season and we were the only one on that night :) Open space private shower is cool but little challenge during raining season when it rain everyday, we had our shower in rain LOL... Arranged afternoon safari with the hotel at 13,000LKR, it was great but we should have bargain it as we read other reviews they did it at 10,009LKR. Fried noodles is good and we had our Sri Lankan breakfast in room, the milk rice with sambol was excellent super yummy!

Was more rustic than anticipated but meant for those looking for jungle experience. Food was great but not alot of local options. Staff were amazing

The stay at Hantara was great because of the service mostly, they were so caring and helpful. All the facilities were good too and all of us enjoyed the stay very much.

Beautiful property - fantastic location & great fresh food (chicken kottu was amazing). Thank you to the fantastic staff who were very kind & helpful.

Great place to stay when visiting the area for a safari. The staff are great and happy to help book a safari trip if you haven't already made plans. The outside shower is nice and the room comfortable with much needed air con. Good choice of food for the evening and the post safari Sri Lankan breakfast was delicious!